Elizabeth Cole
Solicitor
Contact Information
- Solicitor
- Public Law
- City of London
- 02031141169
- 07920077034
- @Send Email
Profile / Experience
I am a Solicitor in the Public Law team at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, working within the team of Director Toufique Hossain. I joined Duncan Lewis in September 2021 as a Caseworker, completed a training contract and qualified as a Solicitor in March 2025.
I have a particular interest in inquiry and Article 3 investigation work. I played a key role in a challenge to the operation of the Manston House Short-Term Holding Facility (STHF) in late 2022, which led to the facility being emptied, as well as the subsequent judicial review claim to establish an Article 3-compliant inquiry into the use of Manston House as an STHF. I am also currently working on a similar challenge regarding a tragic stabbing attack within asylum accommodation in Glasgow in June 2020; this claim is currently pending a decision on permission from the European Court of Human Rights.
I have considerable experience in age dispute cases, including from a strategic litigation angle. I am also well-versed in accommodation-related matters; I played a significant role in a complex challenge to the implementation of restrictive conditions in hotels during the Coronavirus pandemic, and litigation related to the adequacy of accommodation in Knowsley following the protests in February 2023.
I have also acted in public law matters with wider potential impact, including a recent challenge to the failure of the Lord Chancellor to increase hourly rates for immigration and asylum controlled work since 1996 and a challenge which led to kidnap for ransom being recognised as a form of trafficking within Article 4 of ECAT and the Slavery and Human Trafficking (Definition of Victim) Regulations 2022.
As a Level 2 accredited Caseworker, I have also assisted with and/or had conduct of a number of asylum and immigration matters, including at the First-tier and Upper Tribunals, Court of Appeal and applications to the Supreme Court and ECtHR.
I have a particular interest in inquiry and Article 3 investigation work. I played a key role in a challenge to the operation of the Manston House Short-Term Holding Facility (STHF) in late 2022, which led to the facility being emptied, as well as the subsequent judicial review claim to establish an Article 3-compliant inquiry into the use of Manston House as an STHF. I am also currently working on a similar challenge regarding a tragic stabbing attack within asylum accommodation in Glasgow in June 2020; this claim is currently pending a decision on permission from the European Court of Human Rights.
I have considerable experience in age dispute cases, including from a strategic litigation angle. I am also well-versed in accommodation-related matters; I played a significant role in a complex challenge to the implementation of restrictive conditions in hotels during the Coronavirus pandemic, and litigation related to the adequacy of accommodation in Knowsley following the protests in February 2023.
I have also acted in public law matters with wider potential impact, including a recent challenge to the failure of the Lord Chancellor to increase hourly rates for immigration and asylum controlled work since 1996 and a challenge which led to kidnap for ransom being recognised as a form of trafficking within Article 4 of ECAT and the Slavery and Human Trafficking (Definition of Victim) Regulations 2022.
As a Level 2 accredited Caseworker, I have also assisted with and/or had conduct of a number of asylum and immigration matters, including at the First-tier and Upper Tribunals, Court of Appeal and applications to the Supreme Court and ECtHR.
Education
- 2023-25 - Solicitors' Qualifying Examination - SQE1 & 2
- 2021-24 - Graduate Diploma in Law, BPP - Merit
- 2020-21 - MA Human Rights Law, SOAS, University of London - Distinction
- 2016-19 - BA Politics and Modern History, University of Manchester - First Class with Honours
Career
- Solicitor (May 2025 - Present)
- Trainee Solicitor (April 2024 - April 2025)
- Caseworker (September 2021 - April 2024)
Testimonials
- "I want to express my sincere gratitude for assigning Elizabeth to handle my case. Her expertise as an advocate and her thorough professionalism are truly commendable. Elizabeth's attentive listening and ease of communication made the process remarkably smooth. I am extremely thankful for the excellent job she did in constructing my case. Please convey my heartfelt appreciation to her. Without a doubt, she stands out as the best lawyer I've encountered in all my legal matters. I value her unwavering support and invaluable advice." - Client (January 2024)
Notable Cases
Court of Appeal
- Paulo Antonio v SSHD [2022] EWCA Civ 809
High Court
- HT, Detention Action and The Public and Commercial Services Union v The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Pre-Action)
- MG, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWHC 1847 (Admin)
- Duncan Lewis v the Lord Chancellor (AC-2024-LON-001935) (settled)
- R (AAM) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2025] EWHC 447 (Admin)
Membership & Accreditations
- Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Level 2
Interests
- I am interested in the overlap between politics and law, and am a close follower of current affairs, particularly global politics.
Articles
- Duncan Lewis solicitor quoted in the Guardian on 'one in, one out' asylum ruling (14 July 2026)
- Duncan Lewis Represents Claimant in ECtHR Challenge Concerning Article 3 Investigation Duties (14 July 2026)
- High Court Rules Amendment to Modern Slavery Guidance Unlawful in Landmark Judgment (10 July 2026)
- Government Confirms 30% Legal Aid Fee Increase Following Duncan Lewis Legal Challenge (4 July 2025)
- High Court Rules Kidnap for Ransom Constitutes Exploitation in Trafficking Claims (10 March 2025)
- Government Announces Inquiry into events at Manston Short Term Holding Facility (13 February 2025)
- Inquiry into Manston House Immigration Centre Upgrade After Legal Challenge (21 January 2025)
- In the Press: Legal Aid Fee Reform garners Significant Media Attention (3 December 2024)
- Lord Chancellor to raise rates by 30% for immigration and asylum controlled work after Duncan Lewis challenge (29 November 2024)
- In the Press: Big Issue Highlights Duncan Lewis Public Law Team Amid Legal Aid Developments (17 October 2024)
- In the Press: Lord Chancellor's Commitment to Legal Aid Rate Decision by November Draws Media Attention (2 October 2024)
- Lord Chancellor Commits to November Decision on Legal Aid Rate Increase for Immigration and Asylum in response to claim brought by Duncan Lewis (27 September 2024)
- Press: Duncan Lewis Takes Government to Court over Legal Aid Fees (13 June 2024)
- The Manston holding facility has closed thanks to legal action by Duncan Lewis Solicitors (23 November 2022)