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Duncan Lewis Solicitors Chambers and Partners 2022 Rankings (21 October 2021)

Date: 21/10/2021
Duncan Lewis, Main Solicitors, Duncan Lewis Solicitors Chambers and Partners 2022 Rankings

We are delighted to announce our results in the Chambers and Partners 2022 legal directory. Two of our legal practices have retained their ranking and all eight individual lawyers have also retained their rankings this year. Further, we are extremely proud that we have been ranked in three new practice areas this year and have two new lawyers, directors Manjinder Kaur Atwal and Vinita Templeton, ranked in the 2022 guide.

Once again our crime department has been ranked as a top-tier band 1 practice in the Watford, Uxbridge and surrounds. Additionally, our UK-wide Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation practice has retained its band 2 status.

Chambers and Partners highlighted the team is “particularly well known for its work on behalf of legal aid clients, including vulnerable individuals such as LGBT+ asylum seekers and those with mental health conditions. Active across the spectrum of human rights-related immigration cases, including unlawful detention challenges and leave to remain applications. Routinely appears before the higher domestic courts, including the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

“Strengths: One source states: ‘The quality of these lawyers sets them apart and I call upon them for their guidance and strategy. They support you in identifying points and strategies that have often achieved success in seemingly hopeless cases. They give hope and strength to us with their proactive and positive approaches.’”



Our three new ranked practice areas are UK-wide Social Housing: Tenants; London Children: Public Law Matters; and Birmingham and surrounds Family/Matrimonial.

For our band 3 newly ranked UK-wide Social Housing: Tenants the guide comments that they are a: “well-known team advising on a range of social housing matters, including defence against possession and rent arrears proceedings. Also acts on disrepair, discrimination and anti-social behaviour claims, as well as matters relating to homelessness applications and tenancy successions.

“Strengths: One client says: ‘They are excellent, the team are highly responsive, and their advice is knowledgeable and relevant. They get good results, they are tenacious and they leave no stone unturned.’”



For our new band 2 ranked London Children: Public Law Matters practice they include that the team are a “reputable family practice which garners praise for its public children practice. Department expertise includes FGM and care proceedings involving mental health issues. Team is bolstered by additional strength in deprivation of liberty matters. Frequently acts on behalf of vulnerable clients as well as guardians.
“Strengths: One respondent comments: ‘All the lawyers are very knowledgeable, want the best for their clients and will endeavour to make sure their clients get a fair hearing.’”



Our Birmingham based Family/Matrimonial team have achieved a band 3 ranking this year. With Chambers and Partners saying that the “family law team handling a wide range of both financial remedy and children work, with notable expertise in cross-border and multi-jurisdictional disputes. Adept at handling difficult children law matters on both a public and private basis, with substantial experience in cases concerning abuse, child sexual exploitation and forced marriage, among other issues.

“Strengths: One client says: ‘Duncan Lewis is an amazing firm of solicitors who go above and beyond to keep you in the loop while also setting your mind at ease. I would recommend the team to anyone.’”



Our individual lawyers have also achieved great success, public law director Toufique Hossain has increased his ranking to band 2 in the UK-wide Administrative & Public Law: Traditional Claimant category, commenting “he is good at spotting the cases that are out of the ordinary and demonstrates what you can do with legal aid." "He is really something. He's a very creative and strategic thinker who cares about his clients."

Toufique has also retained his ranking in the Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation UK-wide guide at band 2. Chambers and Partners notes; “Toufique Hossain leads Duncan Lewis Solicitors' public law and immigration department. He has extensive experience in high-profile judicial review proceedings involving immigration detention practices. He is also adept at handling leave to remain applications, with recent work for individuals affected by the Windrush scandal, and LGBT+ asylum seekers.”

“’He is fantastic. He is great on complex topics and is really decisive. He takes a balanced approach, which is where he shines, and has great judgement.’”



He is joined by public law solicitor Stefan Vnuk who has impressively maintained his consistent band 1 ranking in this area. He is noted “for his expertise in human rights and unlawful detention cases. He often appears in the highest courts including the Court of Appeal and ECtHR.

“’An outstanding solicitor, he has absolute commitment to his clients and is legally brilliant, tactically astute and absolutely meticulous.’”



Director Ahmed Aydeed is again included as an Up and Coming individual within this guide, and they include that “Ahmed Aydeed is routinely instructed in judicial reviews that challenge Home Office immigration detention policy. His clients often include vulnerable individuals, from victims of trafficking and abuse to individuals with mental health needs.

“’He gets very good results and is impressive.’”



Public law solicitor Lewis Kett has also retained his status as an ‘Associate to Watch’ in the guide. Chambers and Partners commented: “Lewis Kett continues to develop an impressive reputation in the field of immigration and frequently handles complex human rights, EU law and detention matters.

“’He is meticulous in his work, efficient and hard-working.’”


Criminal defence director Rubin Italia has similarly retained his ranking as a band 4 lawyer in Crime London. Chambers and Partners describes Rubin as having “considerable experience in criminal cases, representing individuals facing serious charges of sexual assault, drugs conspiracy and murder, among others.

“’He puts in a lot and delivers quality to his clients.’”



Our housing director Dianne Cowie remains a band 3 ranked lawyer for her work in the UK-wide Social Housing: Tenants category, with Chambers and Partners noting that she “offers considerable expertise in possession proceedings, tenancy disputes and homelessness appeals as well as advising on anti-social behaviour injunctions.

“’She is extremely well organised and is very good with clients; she has a nice rapport with them and keeps them informed.’”



Family and child care director Emine Mehmet has also maintained her ranking as an Up and Coming individual in her category: Children: Public Law Matters in London, with Chambers and Partners noting “Emine Mehmet has a growing profile in the area of family law, in particular for disputes concerning children. She regularly represents vulnerable clients and interested parties in highly sensitive cases involving such issues as abuse allegations and mental health.

“’She is exceptionally professional and knowledgeable. She keeps children central to her advocacy." "She is incredibly smart. I'm always struck by what a passionate advocate she is on behalf of children. She works incredibly hard to make sure their views are put before the court.’”



Business and private immigration director Tamana Aziz has again been ranked band 4 in the UK-wide Immigration: Business category where it is noted that she advises “business on applications for sponsor licences, as well as helping with the management of those licences. She is often instructed by clients in the hospitality and food industries.”


This year we are pleased to share that two new directors have been included in the 2022 Chambers and Partners guides.

Housing director Manjinder Kaur Atwal has been introduced as a band 3 in the UK-wide Social Housing: Tenants guide. They publish: “Manjinder Kaur Atwal offers strength across a wide range of social housing matters, including interim relief and homelessness applications. She is also well versed in claims for disrepair and discrimination, as well as defending against possession proceedings.

“’She is very good at putting complicated cases across, very exacting in the detail and very well organised." "After speaking with her, the situation seemed less complicated and I felt I had someone on my side - she cut through all the smoke and mirrors.’”



Our public law director Vinita Templeton has been welcomed as a band 2 solicitor within the Administrative & Public Law – Wales guide. They share: “Vinita Templeton demonstrates considerable expertise in judicial review challenges and strategic litigation in the asylum and immigration law sphere.

“’She is very committed to her clients and goes the extra mile to provide services where funding is challenging." "A fantastic communicator." "She provides clear judgement and high-quality advice.’”




We are incredibly proud of all our ranked lawyers and those who have contributed towards our departments being ranked. A huge thanks and congratulations to all.


Our full list of rankings can be found on our Chambers and Partners profile.

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