Bahar Ata

I am an experienced director and lawyer specialising in all areas of public law with a niche practice in immigration and human rights judicial review claimant matters. I am a fearless and dedicated advocate for human rights, which is demonstrated through my leadership in high-profile cases and extensive experience in representing clients before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC), Administrative Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court and the resulting judgments having far-reaching implications beyond the immediate, individual clients. I pride myself on going the extra mile for vulnerable individuals in order to ensure that their voices are heard. The complexity of my work is demonstrated by the significant cases I have managed, which have not only had a profound impact on my clients but have also influenced legal standards, and are frequently cited in both UK and European courts. In a recent notable case, I led a team that successfully challenged the Home Office's decision, which had deemed an Albanian asylum seeker's claim as unfounded without merit. This individual, known as 'H', was escaping potential violence related to a blood feud and threats from money-lenders in Albania. Despite guidelines suggesting Albania's limited protective measures against such feuds and the challenges of relocating within the country, the Home Office's stance has been to classify similar claims as baseless, typically preventing appeals. This certification had led to 'H's detention and the risk of deportation. I have particular expertise and experience in representing clients before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) where I represent clients against deprivation and exclusion decisions, where individuals are deprived of their status in the UK and are excluded from the UK on either national security grounds or serious organised crime grounds. I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institutes of the Legal Executives and a Director within the Public Law Department. I was promoted to lead the Immigration and Public Law departments shortly after qualifying, and at the time, I was the only Legal Executive to hold the post of Director within Duncan Lewis. The Lord Chancellor appointed me as an Independent Funding Adjudicator and cost assessor to the Legal Aid Review Panel in 2021. A Legal 500 recommended lawyer since 2017 in the field of immigration and public law, I was also the winner of the Legal Expert award in 2019 awarded by the Chartered Legal Executives. I am one of only 63 individuals in England and Wales to be accredited as an Advanced Caseworker in Immigration Law by the Law Society.