In The Press

Public Law Director James Packer’s challenge on behalf of a man who was wrongly barred from the UK due to a Home Office error has been featured in The Times newspaper and by Free Movement online.

The client, Adam (not his real name), was refused permission to board a plane and return to the UK following a trip with his mother. Immigration officials claimed this was due to his criminal record and that he had been deported a year earlier. This was completely false—a case of mistaken identity caused by an IT error.

The Duncan Lewis public law team described the client’s ordeal as a “Kafkaesque nightmare.” Adam is now in the process of claiming damages from the Home Office.

For four years, Adam had persistently contacted the Home Office regarding delays in his residency application, which officials attributed to concerns about his criminal record. Despite providing proof of a clean record, he was still removed from his flight and later received a letter stating he was a deportee using a false identity.

Following a judicial review challenge, the Home Office finally admitted its mistake, conceding that Adam was not the individual excluded from the UK and that this was a database error.

After seven months of separation, he was finally allowed to return home and reunite with his family. This case highlights the serious consequences of Home Office data errors and the vital role of legal challenges in holding authorities to account.

The Times article appeared only in the print edition. To read the full article on Free Movement, click here. An earlier version also ran in The Telegraph, which is available here.

 About James Packer

James Packer is a highly regarded public law specialist, consistently recognised as "exceptional" and “outstanding” by Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500. He has extensive experience in high-stakes litigation, regularly conducting test cases on matters including access to the courts, unlawful detention, enforced removals, and legal aid refusals. James frequently appears in the Court of Appeal, particularly in costs and procedural challenges.

About Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a leading UK law firm, recognised for its excellence across a broad spectrum of legal services. Ranked Top Tier in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, the firm was named Law Firm of the Year at the LexisNexis Awards 2024, following its win in the same category at the Modern Law Awards 2023.

The firm’s Immigration and Public Law team is particularly renowned for handling complex and high-profile cases involving human rights and asylum seekers. With landmark successes in cases such as Brook House, the Rwanda Challenge, and Manston House, Duncan Lewis continues to provide unparalleled legal representation, ensuring justice for the most vulnerable