Irena Sabic KC

Year of Call: 2002 | Year of Silk: 2023

Irena Sabic KC is a public law barrister with significant expertise in immigration and asylum, community care, unlawful detention, environmental and international law. Irena’s multi-disciplinary practice is rooted in civil liberties and human rights law.

"Irena is an outstanding barrister. Her ability to apply her mind to different areas of public law is truly remarkable. She also brings a real warmth and humanity to her work and this is reflected in the commitment and hard work for her clients."

Legal 500, 2025 (Immigration)

"Irena is detail-oriented and works well with those instructing. She is not afraid to run difficult challenges and represent clients in what may be considered unpopular cases."

Legal 500, 2025 (Court of Protection & Community Care)

"An amazing all-round barrister who provides clear and compelling written work and advocacy. She is really strong, especially in cases involving public law."

Chambers UK, 2024 (Immigration)

"Irena is the counsel of choice for all complex immigration and public law matters. Her ability to work collaboratively with her instructing solicitors is second to none."

Legal 500, 2024 (Immigration)

"A strong tactician with a serene demeanour."

Legal 500, 2024 (Public Law)

"A great legal mind. Irena is a great team player with excellent written work as well as persuasive advocacy at the highest of levels."

Chambers UK, 2023 (Immigration)

"Her advocacy and knowledge are amazing. She's brilliant to work with."

Chambers UK, 2023 (Immigration)

Contact

To get in touch:​ Or you can contact the relevant​ Practice Team Clerks directly and they will be happy to assist with your enquiry.

Share This Page

Email This Page

For solicitors & organisations | For individuals
Logo
Logo
Logo
Logo

Irena’s expertise is sought-after in individual cases and policy challenges concerning all areas of public, administrative, environmental and immigration law.

She regularly litigates unlawful detention cases, particularly those raising novel and complex points. She also has significant expertise in civil claims arising from unlawful detention and on behalf of victims of trafficking.

Irena is public access accredited and welcomes enquiries from members of the public or organisations seeking advice or representation in all areas of specialism.

Irena sits in the High Court as a Deputy Master of the King’s Bench Division and is appointed as Chair of the Health Service Products (Pricing, Cost Control and Information) Appeals Tribunal.

Administrative and Public Law

Overview

Irena is an experienced and highly regarded public law practitioner who has appeared at all court levels. Her multi-disciplinary practice means she is able to conduct test case litigation. She has a particular focus on cases concerning unlawful detention, abuse of power, equality and discrimination and treatment of vulnerable children and adults subject to immigration control.

Notable Cases

Court of Appeal dismissed Home Secretary appeal for Afghan Judges’ relocation claims
R (S and AZ) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and Secretary of State for Defence [2022] EWCA Civ 1092
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of the Secretaries of State for Defence and the Home Department of a successful judicial review claim brought by two Afghan judges, heard by Lang J, against the refusal to consider their applications for leave outside the Immigration Rules.

The Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision that the SSHD’s refusal to consider the LOTR applications to be irrational, but only on one of two bases found by Lang J below.

Successful Judicial review for a BBC illustrator in Afghanistan
SH v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office [2022] EWHC 1937 (Admin)
Administrative Court dismissed judicial review brought by an Afghani Judge in hiding.

Change of Law – Criminal Court of Appeal quashed trafficking victim’s conviction
R. v GB [2020] EWCA Crim 2

Unlawful Detention under Dublin III Art 28
R. (on the application of Hemmati) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2019] UKSC 56
Supreme Court dismissed the SSHD appeal, holding that chapter 55 policy concerning detention of asylum seekers did not comply with EU law, Regulation 604/2013 and art 2(n). Accordingly, all asylum seekers detained pending deportation were entitled to damages for the tort of false imprisonment.

Unlawful Detention under Dublin III Art 28
SS et al v SSHD [2018] EWCA Civ 2122
In a majority judgment, the Court of Appeal held that the SSHD did not have a lawful policy for detention of asylum seekers subject to Dublin III. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal brought by SSHD in a judgment examining the lawfulness of detention of asylum seekers subject to Dublin III and held that in all cases the ingredients for the common law action of false imprisonment were made out.

Unlawful detention of a vulnerable adult (Rule 35 report)
SNA v SSHD [2018] EWHC 1504 (Admin)
Administrative Court found that Claimant was unlawfully detained (public law error bearing on decision to detain) but entitled to nominal only damages.

Unlawful detention of a vulnerable adult
R. (on the application of Aboro) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] EWHC 1436 (Admin)
Administrative Court concluded that SSHD acted unlawfully in continuing to detain a foreign criminal pending removal because she failed to address her policy for detention of those who had been assessed as suffering from depression and risk of self-harm. Irena was led by Sonali Naik KC.

Successful Fresh claim judicial review – mother/daughter relationship
R. (on the application of MG) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] EWHC 31 (Admin)
Successful judicial review of the SSHD decision to reject a fresh claim of a foreign offender who lost her appeal against a deportation order. Her daughter was a British citizen and the Court underlined the need for anxious scrutiny to be given to applications on Article 8 ECHR concerning best interests of the child.

Supreme Court decision on interaction between the Hague Convention and best interests of the Child/Article 8 ECHR
In re E (Children) (Abduction: Custody Appeal) [2011] UKSC 27
Irena acted for Women’s Aid Federation (led by Stephen Knafler QC and as part of a team) to intervene in the Supreme Court appeal considering the interaction between the Hague Convention and the UN Convention on the Rights on the Child and Article 8 ECHR.

R. (on the application of O’Brien) v South Cambridgeshire DC [2016] J.P.L. 656

Successful appeal to the Court of Appeal examining positive and negative obligations of Article 8 ECHR
Muse v ECO [2012] EWCA Civ 10
Irena represented 5 Somali children seeking entry clearance to join their family in the UK. Led by Richard Drabble KC.

R. (on the application of McCarthy) v Basildon BC [2011]
Irena was led by Marc Willers KC in judicial review proceedings in the Administrative Court and the Court of Appeal brought by the residents of Dale Farm.

R (on the application of M and others) v HM Treasury [2006]All ER (D) 108
Concerning the ambit of UN Security Council Resolution on freezing of funds of persons designated as terrorists by the UN.

Judicial review of HO discretionary policy based on EU law
Kungwenwe v SSHD [2005] EWHC 1427
Judicial review of the Home Office decision under the 10-year concessionary policy based on the validity of the residence document granted in pursuance of EU law. The case highlights two areas of law, EU freedom of movement and UK immigration law which pull in different directions.

Contact Irena

Immigration & Asylum Law

Overview

Irena has significant expertise in all areas of immigration and EU law, with a broad range of clients including businesses, private individuals, NGOs and educational institutions. Irena provides comprehensive and commercially astute advice and intervention in all aspects of business immigration, including sponsor licenses and the Points Based System. Irena often finds her broader expertise in public law proves invaluable in complex and test litigation and she is highly sought after due to her knowledge of the intersection between human rights, constitutional and immigration law.

Irena is committed to representing vulnerable children and adults in the immigration system; she is experienced in representing victims of trafficking and exploitation, unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, immigrants with mental health issues or those unlawfully detained. Irena is particularly interested in the overlap between the international, regional and domestic laws with respect to children and vulnerable adults.

Notable Cases

Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.

Court of Appeal dismissed the Home Secretary appeal for Afghan Judges relocation claims
R (S and AZ) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and Secretary of State for Defence [2022] EWCA Civ 1092
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of the Secretaries of State for Defence and the Home Department of a successful judicial review claim brought by two Afghan judges, heard by Lang J, against the refusal to consider their applications for leave outside the Immigration Rules.
The Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision that the SSHD’s refusal to consider the LOTR applications to be irrational, but only on one of two bases found by Lang J below.

Successful Judicial review for a BBC illustrator in Afghanistan
SH v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office [2022] EWHC 1937 (Admin)

R. (on the application of JZ) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2022] EWHC 2156 (Admin)
Administrative Court dismissed judicial review brought by an Afghani Judge in hiding.

Change of Law – Criminal Court of Appeal quashed trafficking victim’s conviction
R. v GB [2020] EWCA Crim 2

Unlawful Detention under Dublin III Art 28
R. (on the application of Hemmati) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2019] UKSC 56
Supreme Court dismissed the SSHD appeal, holding that chapter 55 policy concerning detention of asylum seekers did not comply with EU law, Regulation 604/2013 and art 2(n). Accordingly, all asylum seekers detained pending deportation were entitled to damages for the tort of false imprisonment.

Unlawful Detention under Dublin III Art 28
SS et al v SSHD [2018] EWCA Civ 2122
In a majority judgment, the Court of Appeal held that the SSHD did not have a lawful policy for detention of asylum seekers subject to Dublin III. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal brought by SSHD in a judgment examining the lawfulness of detention of asylum seekers subject to Dublin III and held that in all cases the ingredients for the common law action of false imprisonment were made out.

Unlawful detention of a vulnerable adult (Rule 35 report)
SNA v SSHD [2018] EWHC 1504 (Admin)
Administrative Court found that Claimant was unlawfully detained (public law error bearing on decision to detain) but entitled to nominal only damages.

Unlawful detention of a vulnerable adult
R. (on the application of Aboro) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] EWHC 1436 (Admin)
Administrative Court concluded that SSHD acted unlawfully in continuing to detain a foreign criminal pending removal because she failed to address her policy for detention of those who had been assessed as suffering from depression and risk of self-harm. Irena was led by Sonali Naik KC.

Successful Fresh claim judicial review – mother/daughter relationship
R. (on the application of MG) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] EWHC 31 (Admin)
Successful judicial review of the SSHD decision to reject a fresh claim of a foreign offender who lost her appeal against a deportation order. Her daughter was a British citizen and the Court underlined the need for anxious scrutiny to be given to applications on Article 8 ECHR concerning best interests of the child.

Supreme Court decision on interaction between the Hague Convention and best interests of the Child/article 8 ECHR
In re E (Children) (Abduction: Custody Appeal) [2011] UKSC 27
Irena acted for Women’s Aid Federation (led by Stephen Knafler QC and as part of a team) to intervene in the Supreme Court appeal considering the interaction between the Hague Convention and the UN Convention on the Rights on the Child and article 8 ECHR.

Successful appeal to the Court of Appeal examining positive and negative obligations of Article 8 ECHR
Muse v ECO [2012] EWCA Civ 10
Irena represented 5 Somali children seeking entry clearance to join their family in the UK. Led by Richard Drabble KC.

Successful challenge of the decision of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal
Essa v SSHD [2005] EWCA Civ 1577 CA (Keen LJ, Carnwath LJ)
The Court of Appeal ruled that the AIT had not considered the background material in sufficient depth and there was no documentary or evidential support for the conclusion that it reached.

Judicial review of HO discretionary policy based on EU law
Kungwenwe v SSHD [2005] EWHC 1427
Judicial review of the Home Office decision under the 10-year concessionary policy based on the validity of the residence document granted in pursuance of EU law. The case highlights two areas of law, EU freedom of movement and UK immigration law which pull in different directions.

Reported IAT decision
FK (Somalia) [2004] UKIAT 00127 ‘Reported’
Immigration – (Shekhal Gandhershe) where the Tribunal found this sub-clan is within the Benadiri group. The case has been included in the Home Office Operational Guidance Note Feb 2004.

Contact Irena

Environmental Law and Climate Justice

Overview

Irena has extensive experience in climate justice and environmental law. In recent years, Irena has focussed her practice on issues of wider environmental importance and climate change. Irena has advised on challenges to the Government’s Net Zero Strategy and is instructed in the case of Duarte Agostinho and Others v Austria and 32 other Member States, representing 6 Portuguese youth applicants who filed a multi-state climate change complaint with the European Court of Human Rights.

Irena was instructed in the M4 Public Inquiry through the Environmental Law Foundation representing organisations including the Wildlife Trust, Gwent Wildlife Trust and Campaign for Protection of Rural Wales. Irena has experience in high-profile litigation having practiced in planning and environmental law at the start of her career at the Bar, including the eviction of Dale Farm residents in 2011.

Notable Cases

Irena is instructed by GLAN to represent six Portuguese youth applicants who filed a multi-state climate change complaint with the European Court of Human Rights.

M4 Corridor Newport Public Inquiry
Irena appeared on behalf of several environmental NGOs at the Public Inquiry on a major infrastructure project proposing the extension of M4 around Newport, Wales.

R. (on the application of McCarthy) v Basildon BC [2011]
Irena was led by Marc Willers KC in judicial review proceedings in the Administrative Court and the Court of Appeal brought by the residents of Dale Farm.

Contact Irena

Claims Against Public Authorities

Overview

Irena’s multi-disciplinary practice is rooted in civil liberties and human rights law. She is experienced in domestic, regional and international human rights forums. Her expertise is sought-after in individual cases and policy challenges concerning unlawful detention, victims of trafficking and the rights of vulnerable adults and children subject to immigration control. She has been involved in test case litigation relating to migrants’ rights, concerning community care, welfare support, immigration, deportation and removal.

Notable Cases

Court of Appeal dismissed the Home Secretary appeal for Afghan Judges relocation claims
R (S and AZ) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and Secretary of State for Defence [2022] EWCA Civ 1092
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of the Secretaries of State for Defence and the Home Department of a successful judicial review claim brought by two Afghan judges, heard by Lang J, against the refusal to consider their applications for leave outside the Immigration Rules.

The Court of Appeal upheld the High Court’s decision that the SSHD’s refusal to consider the LOTR applications to be irrational, but only on one of two bases found by Lang J below.

Successful Judicial review for a BBC illustrator in Afghanistan
SH v Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office [2022] EWHC 1937 (Admin)
Administrative Court dismissed judicial review brought by an Afghani Judge in hiding.

Change of Law – Criminal Court of Appeal quashed trafficking victim’s conviction

R. v GB [2020] EWCA Crim 2

Unlawful Detention under Dublin III Art 28
R. (on the application of Hemmati) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2019] UKSC 56
Supreme Court dismissed the SSHD appeal, holding that chapter 55 policy concerning detention of asylum seekers did not comply with EU law, Regulation 604/2013 and art 2(n). Accordingly, all asylum seekers detained pending deportation were entitled to damages for the tort of false imprisonment.

SS et al v SSHD [2018] EWCA Civ 2122
In a majority judgment, the Court of Appeal held that the SSHD did not have a lawful policy for detention of asylum seekers subject to Dublin III. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal brought by SSHD in a judgment examining the lawfulness of detention of asylum seekers subject to Dublin III and held that in all cases the ingredients for the common law action of false imprisonment were made out.

Unlawful detention of a vulnerable adult (Rule 35 report)
Administrative Court found that Claimant was unlawfully detained (public law error bearing on decision to detain) but entitled to nominal only damages.

Unlawful detention of a vulnerable adult
Administrative Court concluded that SSHD acted unlawfully in continuing to detain a foreign criminal pending removal because she failed to address her policy for detention of those who had been assessed as suffering from depression and risk of self-harm. Irena was led by Sonali Naik KC.

Successful Fresh claim judicial review – mother/daughter relationship
Successful judicial review of the SSHD decision to reject a fresh claim of a foreign offender who lost her appeal against a deportation order. Her daughter was a British citizen and the Court underlined the need for anxious scrutiny to be given to applications on Article 8 ECHR concerning best interests of the child.

Supreme Court decision on interaction between the Hague Convention and best interests of the Child/article 8 ECHR
In re E (Children) (Abduction: Custody Appeal) [2011] UKSC 27
Irena acted for Women’s Aid Federation (led by Stephen Knafler QC and as part of a team) to intervene in the Supreme Court appeal considering the interaction between the Hague Convention and the UN Convention on the Rights on the Child and article 8 ECHR.

R. (on the application of O’Brien) v South Cambridgeshire DC [2016] J.P.L. 656

Successful appeal to the Court of Appeal examining positive and negative obligations of Article 8 ECHR
Muse v ECO [2012] EWCA Civ 10
Irena represented 5 Somali children seeking entry clearance to join their family in the UK. Led by Richard Drabble KC.

R. (on the application of McCarthy) v Basildon BC [2011]
Irena was led by Marc Willers KC in judicial review proceedings in the Administrative Court and the Court of Appeal brought by the residents of Dale Farm.

R (on the application of M and others) v HM Treasury [2006]All ER (D) 108
Concerning the ambit of UN Security Council Resolution on freezing of funds of persons designated as terrorists by the UN.

Judicial review of HO discretionary policy based on EU law
Kungwenwe v SSHD [2005] EWHC 1427
Judicial review of the Home Office decision under the 10-year concessionary policy based on the validity of the residence document granted in pursuance of EU law. The case highlights two areas of law, EU freedom of movement and UK immigration law which pull in different directions.

Contact Irena

Community Care

Overview

Irena regularly advises and represents individuals in the full range of claims for community care assistance, most commonly on behalf of highly vulnerable adults and children. Irena is experienced in urgent applications for interim relief and is able to advise and represent at short notice.

Irena also advises and represents in age dispute cases and she is frequently instructed in cases that raise trafficking indicators or involve unlawful removal or detention of age disputed children.

Notable Cases

Test case establishing the scope of power to provide accommodation an assistance under s23C(4) of the Children Act 1989
R (on the application of Sabiri) v LB Croydon [2012] EWHC 1236 (Admin)
Successful judicial review of the council’s decision to refuse to provide accommodation and assistance to a former relevant child near to the Further Education College where he proposed to study.

Supreme Court decision on interaction between the Hague Convention and best interests of the Child/article 8 ECHR
In re E (Children) (Abduction: Custody Appeal) [2011] UKSC 27
Irena acted for Women’s Aid Federation (led by Stephen Knafler QC and as part of a team) to intervene in the Supreme Court appeal considering the interaction between the Hague Convention and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and article 8 ECHR.

Contact Irena

Irena Sabic KC

Notable Cases & News

Garden Court Chambers celebrates 50th Anniversary

This year marks 50 years of Garden Court Chambers winning ground-breaking cases of constitutional importance.

Friday 31 May 2024

Substantial damages secured for estate and family of deceased client following unlawful detention and deportation

Our Sonali Naik KC, Irena Sabic KC and David Sellwood of the Garden Court Public Law Team represented AG’s estate and family, instructed by Bahar Ata and Oskar Butcher of Duncan Lewis Solicitors.

Thursday 10 Oct 2024

Court of Appeal finds refusal to grant pre-settled status under EUSS a breach of rights under Withdrawal Agreement

Irena Sabic KC and Eva Doerr of Garden Court Chambers acted for the Respondent, Mr Vasa. Bojana Asanovic and David Sellwood of Garden Court Chambers acted for The AIRE Centre who intervened in the proceedings.

Tuesday 16 Jul 2024

Garden Court barristers recognised on Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales

We are delighted to announce that Garden Court barristers have been listed on the Pro Bono Recognition List of England & Wales.

Monday 17 Jun 2024

Garden Court barristers contribute to Legal Action Magazine’s Environmental Law Update (Jul/Aug 2024)

Our Marc Willers KC, Irena Sabic KC, Paul Clark and Ella Gunn of the Garden Court Environmental Law and Climate Justice Team have written for Legal Action Magazine.

Friday 7 Jun 2024

Irena Sabic KC and Thalia Maragh conduct legal empowerment training for Ogiek community in Kenya

Our Irena Sabic KC and Thalia Maragh volunteered with International Lawyers Project (ILP) to deliver training for the Ogiek community in Kenya.

Tuesday 21 May 2024

Background

Irena is committed to promotion and protection of human rights through artistic and educational forums. She appeared as a human rights expert in Yael Bartana’s production of ‘What If Women Ruled the World’ at the Manchester Arts Festival (2017) and the Volkbuhne theatre in Berlin (2018).

In January 2019, she was appointed a barrister board member of the BSB.

Irena has acted as a consultant for the Centre for Constitutional Rights, a U.S.-based legal human rights organisation which has led the legal and political battle against Guantanamo Bay detention facility.

Having graduated with a first-class degree in law from Cambridge University, Irena spent a year working for a non-governmental organisation campaigning for protection and promotion of women’s rights at the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva (WILPF).

Irena combines a busy practice with regular delivery of training and lectures to public bodies and non-governmental organisations.

Publications

Contributing author to Housing and Housing Benefit Law: A Practical Guide. (Housing and Human Rights chapter).

Contributing author to Judicial Review and Human Rights: Case Studies in Context.

Education

  • LLB (Hons)

Professional Memberships

  • Constitutional and Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA)
  • ILPA
  • Lawyers for Liberty
  • PEBA

We are top ranked by independent legal directories and consistently win awards.

+ View more awards