This webinar was brought to you by the Garden Court Chambers Immigration Law Team.
| Date: | Wednesday 25 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 6.00pm-7.30pm |
| Venue: | Online |
| Cost: | Free |
| Areas of Law: | Immigration Law |
In this webinar, speakers addressed how applicants for entry clearance can in practice access the UK visa system by reliance on policy, rules and human rights argument: First getting a decision in principle either exceptionally as a student or as a child seeking urgent medical treatment or family reunion outside the immigration rules under Article 8 ECHR (following the Court of Appeal decision in SSHD v IA [2025] EWCA Civ 1516). Second, the process of seeking and obtain assistance from the FCDO to exit Gaza to give biometrics in a third country and seek and obtain onward travel assurances from the SSHD from inter alia Jordan (following BEL v FCDA [2025] EWHC 1970 (Admin) and the pending judgment of RKC1 and others v SSHD and FCDA heard in January 2026 and given the position om the ground since the limited opening of the Rafah crossing in February 2026.
Speakers
Sonali Naik KC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers (Chair)
Sonali Naik KC is Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers. Sonali specialises in public law cases and in all aspects of immigration, asylum and nationality law and practice. She is ranked in immigration and public law in the Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 Bar Guides. Sonali is a senior practitioner with over 30 years’ experience. She was appointed King’s Counsel in 2018 and conducts almost exclusively leading work at all levels: the European Court of Human Rights, the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the Administrative Court and in the Upper Tribunal in statutory appeals and judicial reviews. She has very substantial immigration and asylum experience in her High Court and appellate court practice, acting in various country guidance asylum cases.
Adrian Berry KC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Adrian Berry KC practices across the field of public law, especially in British nationality, statelessness, immigration, EU law and after matters, international protection (refugee status, asylum), housing and accommodation, social assistance, and education. He is ranked Band 1 in Chambers & Partners and Tier 1 in Legal 500 2025 for Immigration Law. He is the co-author of the current 4th edition of Fransman’s British Nationality Law. Adrian is a Patron of the Immigration Law Practitioner’s Association (ILPA), Convenor of its Legislation Working Group, and its former Chair. He was appointed King’s Counsel in March 2025. Adrian provides strategic advice on settlement and citizenship options for persons looking to secure settlement, permanent residence and citizenship in the UK and elsewhere.
Zehrah Hasan, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Zehrah Hasan practises in immigration, asylum, and public law, with particular expertise in LGBTQI+ asylum, human rights cases, detention challenges, and representing survivors of torture, gender-based violence, trafficking, and exploitation. She has extensive experience appearing in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals in relation to a range of immigration matters, including asylum, human rights, deportation, entry clearance, family reunion, and EU Settlement. She has also been instructed on strategic and individual pro bono cases relating to Palestinian refugees and migrants, including as junior Counsel for a major NGO, and welcomes instructions from Palestinian lay clients on a range of immigration issues.
