On 17 July 2014, the parliamentary inquiry into the use of immigration detention began to hear live evidence in Westminster. At the same time, politicians of all parties began to debate the Conservative announcement as to a British Bill of Rights and a potential schism between London and Strasbourg.

With that backdrop two of No 5’s human rights barristers were invited to speak at the Public Law Project Conference in Manchester. The Hon Mr Justice Stewart, Queen’s Bench Administrative Court Liaison Judge for the Northern and North Eastern Circuits opened the events and a number of eminent speakers addressed a packed audience of public law practitioners, in-house lawyers and Administrative Court staff.

Legal Aid Barrister of the Year, S Chelvan gave a lecture on the most important public law cases of the last year. Taking the audience through a variety of cases from the public law context.

Up and coming civil liberties barrister Ian Brownhill, delivered a well received workshop in the afternoon about public law remedies for detained people. His interactive workshop discussed the difference between habeas corpus and judicial review and focused on common law rights of persons who are detained.

To round off the day, Chelvan joined partners of leading public law firms in giving their views as to what the future holds. Questioned by the audience, Chelvan encouraged all practitioners acting for Claimants to stay strong in the face of judicial review reforms and a public funding crisis.

After the conference Chelvan said, “it was an honour to share a stage with the lawyers behind some of the biggest public law cases in recent memory. There is a quality cadre of public law practitioners here now and we must make sure it is the same in the future.”

S Chelvan is described by Chambers and Partners as, “the leading practitioner in the UK for political asylum claims on sexuality”. With an established record of success, Chelvan now looks beyond immigration law and applies his experience in sexuality based discrimination in other areas.

Ian Brownhill is carving out a reputation as a fighter for persons detained, no matter what the context. And, as a regulatory barrister who can bring something different to the table for companies and individuals when due process rights are at stake.

Chelvan and Ian are both based in No5’s London Office but act in cases all over the country and indeed elsewhere. Those interested in their practices should contact Abdul Hafeez or Mark Byrne on 0845 210 5555.

Please click here to view profiles for S Chelvan and Ian Brownhill.