Ranked by the Chambers UK and Legal 500 independent legal directories for his specialism in judicial review claimant matters, in recent years, he has focused on group litigation challenges. Notably, in the last 12 months, he has prevented the removal of several Afghan clients by charter flight at the last minute. He has had lead conduct in litigation which has led to generic orders preventing the unlawful removal of Afghan asylum-seekers. Since this case there have been no further charter flights to remove Afghan asylum seekers.
Toufique consistently challenges the arbitrary and unlawful detention of those held under immigration powers, having recently made a successful move to place robust limits on the detention of pregnant women, limiting the time they can be held in detention centres to 72 hours.
Toufique, in collaboration with other lawyers, is currently challenging the Home Office policy relating to vulnerable people in detention, the final judgment in that matter is pending. Toufique obtained an order from the High Court granting generic interim relief to all detainees subject to this narrowed definition of torture, forcing the Home Office to implement the wider definition. This action has led to the release of hundreds of vulnerable detainees.
Toufique’s work is not confined to UK borders. He recently led litigation pressuring the Home Office, under the ‘Dubs Amendment’, to relocate unaccompanied children who were in the Calais ‘Jungle’ to the UK. Toufique and his team spent several days in the camp taking instructions from minors. Recognising his dedication, NGOs routinely approach him to lead on human rights litigation.
Toufique joined Duncan Lewis in 2011. Describing Toufique, Chambers and Partners 2017 notes that “he is deeply committed to the plight of the disenfranchised, and a fearless litigator” with Legal 500 2016 labelling him a ‘genuine star’ for challenges in the immigration and civil liberties space.
The Legal Aid Practitioners Group
The Legal Aid Practitioners Group is a membership body who campaign to give a collective voice to the government on behalf of legal aid practitioners and the clients they represent across England and Wales. They do this on the basis that access to justice is a fundamental right and in order to achieve that we need a comprehensive, fair and accessible legal aid scheme. They have raised concerns with the government surrounding the current system, which regularly excludes vulnerable members of society. In addition to this they offer training, provide resources and assist with operational issues within the system.
The LALY Awards represent an opportunity to honour and celebrate the work of those who have dedicated their careers to creating the opportunities to get access to justice to those who need it most. They will be taking place in London on Wednesday 5th July 2017.
