Halima Safa

I am a Solicitor and Supervisor in the Immigration Department based at the City of London office.

I have extensive experience in representing:

• Asylum seekers including unaccompanied asylum seeking children;
• Victims of human trafficking and modern slavery in particular forced criminality and victims of sexual exploitation;
• Victims of torture;
• Victims of abuse including rape and domestic violence; and
• Individuals who suffer from severe mental health conditions.

I regularly undertake complex cases for detained clients and challenge unlawful actions by various public bodies including the Home Office, Ministry of Justice and local authorities.

I was the lead solicitor in the case of R (Nakrasevicius) v SSHD [2024] EWHC 1856 (Admin) which gave a landmark judgment and provides important guidance on the limits of immigration detention powers when criminal proceedings are ongoing.

• I represent detained clients with:
• Bail applications (including advocacy);
• Unlawful detention and false imprisonment claims;
• Revocation of refugee status;
• Deportation;
• Removal;
• Complex nationality appeals.

I also represent clients in the Manston and Rwanda false imprisonment group litigation and have been involved in the Public Order Disqualification policy challenge.

• City, University of London (2017 - 2018): Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (LPC)
• City, University of London (2014 - 2017): LLB (Hons)

• Duncan Lewis Solicitors (October 2022 - Present)
• J D Spicer Zeb Solicitors (2021 - 2022)
• Admitted as a Solicitor (2021)
• Orchid Solicitors (2016 – 2021)

• "I found my self in a difficult situation and I have come across Duncan Lewis my solicitor was Halima she was great always had the best advice for me and fast at sorting things best solicitor I have come across strongly recommend" - Client (2023)


• "Dear Halima and Portia, I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the incredible news you shared with me today – that the Home Office has granted me refugee status. This is truly life-changing, and I couldn't be more thrilled. I want to acknowledge and appreciate the tireless efforts, dedication, and expertise you both put into my case. Your unwavering support, legal acumen, and genuine care made all the difference in securing this positive outcome. It has been a long and challenging journey, and I am profoundly grateful to have had you by my side every step of the way. Your professionalism and attention to detail were exemplary, and your guidance throughout the asylum application process was invaluable. I couldn't have asked for better advocates, and I will forever be thankful for your hard work and commitment to my case. Please extend my gratitude to your entire team, as I understand that it takes a collective effort to achieve such results. I will forever remember your kindness, support, and the positive impact you've had on my life. Thank you once again for everything you've done for me. Your commitment to justice has not only changed my life but has also restored my faith in the legal system." - Client (2023)


• "Miss Halima Begum took time to listen to me. She also got a lot of her colleagues to call me and listen to me (they are all very cheerful and make you feel at ease talking to them). Her colleagues are very warm and pleasant and the whole of Duncan lewis team do a good follow up with matters and advices. Even their male receptionists are so professional in dealing with calls. Halima is very good at details and connections. Miss Halima Begum is a hard worker as she can help you filling forms you are clueless about. More importantly they pick up phone calls or you can leave a message and they definitely get back to you. I miss listening to her sometimes as she can make you feel safe about options on the table and comfortable too. To close, I will say Miss Begum always gives you the grace to have the your last word before she terminates the call." - Yannick

High Court

R (Nakrasevicius) v SSHD [2024] EWHC 1856 (Admin) The High Court has ruled that the Secretary of State for the Home Department (SSHD) acted unlawfully in detaining an EU national for six months in a bid to facilitate confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). The landmark judgement in R (Nakrasevicius) v SSHD [2024] EWHC 1856 (Admin) provides important guidance on the limits of immigration detention powers when criminal proceedings are ongoing. The High Court found that the Home Office had misused its immigration detention powers by detaining the claimant not for the purposes of removal, but to indirectly support criminal proceedings – an improper and unlawful purpose. The judgement is a rare and significant example of a breach of Hardial Singh principle 1, which states that a person may only be detained for the purposes of deportation or removal.

• Animal lover
• Travelling
• Swimming