“While every refugee's story is different and their anguish personal, they all share a common thread of uncommon courage – the courage not only to survive, but to persevere and rebuild their shattered lives.”

Antonio Guterres, U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, 2005

“A lasting solution, the possibility to begin a new life, is the only dignified solution for the refugee himself.”

Poul Hartling, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, 1978-1985

Jan has successfully represented many asylum seekers and refugees from many countries.

As an immigration barrister, he believes that quality legal representation is – in the true sense of the word – vital, to being recognised as a refugee and to the ability of refugees to start a new life.

Jan pledges to represent you to the best of his abilities and knowledge, and to advise you throughout the asylum process to enable you to put your personal history forward.

He furthermore recognises the central importance of expert reports and works regularly with country and medical experts whose evidence is often of considerable weight in proving an asylum seeker’s claim, such as claims to have been tortured. In that regard, the importance of medical reports by qualified medical professionals (with particular expertise in the field of asylum proceedings) cannot be overstated.

Having previously worked as assistant to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and having extensive expertise in the use and lobbying of international human rights mechanisms, Jan will also be able to advise you on the possible assistance of United Nations/international mechanisms to assist in your particular case (see ‘use of international mechanisms’ and ‘case studies’).

Jan can:

- advise you on your asylum claim, its presentation and the asylum process

- represent you on appeal against a negative decision by the UKBA

- advise you on possible experts to address vital aspects of your claim challenged by the UKBA and draft instructions (i.e. pertinent questions to experts for them to comment on)

- advise you on and draft “fresh claims” when the appeal process has been exhausted

- advise you on possible challenges against a ‘certification’ of your asylum/human rights claim as “clearly unfounded”

- challenge a rejection of a fresh claim or a certification by means of “judicial review” i.e. draft judicial review grounds and represent you before the Administrative Court

- advise you on the use of regional and international human rights mechanisms such as appealing to the European Court of Human Rights and recourse to UN mechanisms such as UN Special Rapporteurs