Free Webinar – Endangering Lives At Sea or Criminalising Asylum Seekers?

A look at the new suite of immigration-related criminal offences that have come into force to criminalise asylum seekers arriving on inflatable dinghies.

The session will provide key updates on the following topics:

• Practical considerations when advising on the evidence and plea
• Criminal defences
• The applicability of the Refugee Convention
• Hearing from Refugee Legal Support about their experience on the ground

Speakers

Stephanie Harrison KC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Described as a “brilliant advocate”, Stephanie is a leading public law practitioner who has appeared at all court levels. Her multi-disciplinary practice spans the breadth of public law and civil liberties. Stephanie’s cases include those arising from unlawful detention, national security, official misconduct, abuse of power, child sexual exploitation, equality and discrimination, minority rights and civil rights protest and injunctions. She also has considerable expertise in cases involving closed material procedures. Stephanie is regularly involved in test case litigation and has been instrumental in winning some of the most important cases within her areas of specialism in recent times. Much of her work is high profile and receives media coverage. She is passionate about upholding and advancing the rights of vulnerable minority groups and children. Stephanie was appointed as legal counsel to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in 2015. Stephanie is ranked for Administrative and Public Law, Civil Liberties and Human Rights and Immigration in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK Bar Guide.

Sonali Naik KC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Sonali Naik KC is Joint Head of Chambers. Sonali is a senior practitioner with over 30 years’ experience, specialising in public law and in all aspects of immigration, asylum and nationality with a long record of acting for asylum-seekers and refugees. She was appointed King’s Counsel in 2018 and conducts leading work at all levels. She acted in the ‘Rwanda’ cases in the Supreme Court, represented UNHCR in the refugee child family reunion litigation. She appeared for the bereaved families and survivor in the Cranston Inquiry into deaths in the Channel and continues to represent in the ongoing litigation concerning the UK/France treaty. Sonali is ranked Band 1 in Legal 500 and Chambers UK Bar Guides for Immigration Law.

Audrey Cherryl Mogan, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Audrey is a criminal defence and human rights barrister. She has developed particular expertise in defending cases involving small boats and other situations where asylum seekers and immigrants have been criminalised due to their status. Her background in international armed conflict, European human rights law, deportation, and asylum makes her well-qualified to advise on this matter within a criminal context. She has successfully represented clients at all levels, including the High Court and Appellate Courts. Prior to coming to the Bar, Audrey was a Legal Project Manager at the European human rights law charity, The AIRE Centre, where she advised foreign nationals facing deportation and removal, and provided training on free movement law. She managed a strategic litigation project challenging Operation Nexus, a joint deportation initiative between Home Office Immigration Enforcement and police forces across the UK (R (on the application of The AIRE Centre) v SSHD and Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis), and travelled to the refugee camps in France, Italy and Greece to document the impact of the Dublin Regulation on asylum seekers in Europe.

Basma Kamel, Outreach Officer, Refugee Legal Support
Basma Kamel (she/her) is the Outreach Officer at Refugee Legal Support. She works closely with newly arrived people in the UK, organising accessible information sessions on the asylum system. She also provides vital post-release support to individuals criminalised for their method of arrival, helping them navigate legal processes and access essential services.

Reserve Your Ticket
We will send joining link details to all those who have signed up on the day of the event. If you have not received the joining link or in-person confirmation by 2pm on 2 December, and it is not in your junk inbox, please email webinars@gclaw.co.uk.