Direct Email: AMA@no5.com
Abid Mahmood has been referred to within leading directories as an expert in three separate areas of law:
Immigration, Nationality and Asylum Law, Administrative and Public law; and Court of Protection
He has over 25 years’ experience as a barrister and has been sitting as a part time Judge since 2006. His other areas of interest include human rights law, commercial law, and contentious probate.
The Legal 500 (2019) refers to him as: “A distinguished advocate”.
Chambers UK (2019) said, “He is responsive and gives clear advice. He is very courteous and has undeniable knowledge.” It also states that he is “Highly Experienced”
Previous directories for 2018 and before have said:
“A forceful and persuasive advocate”
“He is extremely experienced and knows what to focus on in the higher courts to get you across the line”
“He is a respected immigration practitioner working for Claimants”
“Recognised for his broad experience of immigration cases, including matters concerning questions of asylum or human rights. Mahmood heads the immigration group at No5 Chambers.”
“Abid Mahmood is a genius”
“Personable and user friendly”
“Very responsive and a good team player”
“He represents clients in complex cases at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and has been instructed on many national security cases”
“In immigration: he is able to explain a complex legal framework to clients”
“Extremely precise and meticulous”
“An immigration law specialist – he is super-efficient and knows the law inside out.” “A senior junior with experience before the Supreme Court.”
“A Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge and a Special Advocate, Abid Mahmood covers the full range of immigration matters. He is recognised for his work on judicial reviews and has experience in handling national security proceeding”
Abid Mahmood is an Administrative Law specialist with considerable experience of human rights issues. He is one of only a few Special Advocates approved by the Attorney General to undertake national security cases.
Recent cases include diverse issues. He acts for local authorities, the Office of the Public Guardian, individuals and various law firms across the country. Some of the areas of law have included Judicial Review, Local Government, Social Services, Local Authority powers and duties, local authority constitution and internal government, age dispute duties and requirements, Children Act duties, information rights, data protection, charity law and procurement/commercial issues.
Abid Mahmood has appeared in other important cases in recent years at the Supreme Court, House of Lords and in hundreds of cases at the Court of Appeal and Administrative Court, High Court with numerous appeals pending at the Senior Courts. He is regularly instructed to draft proceedings and to advise on Judicial Review.
He is instructed by individuals (approved to undertake Direct Public Access work by the Bar Council), local authorities, NHS Trusts, public bodies and private solicitors firms on a wide variety of work. He has particular expertise on cases with human rights issues.
He lectures regularly and has provided training for both solicitors and barristers. He works with leading counsel, leads other juniors and acts alone in cases.
He is recognised as a leading expert in his chosen areas of work with recommendations in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK. He has appeared as a leader in those directories for many years.
Recommendations
"He's very experienced and really good with clients; he can adopt the correct approach in cases."
Chambers UK 2023
"He's got a good reputation in the area, he's a smooth advocate and has a nice approach to cases."
Chambers and Partners 2022
"Exceptional specialist knowledge and experience. Always supremely well prepared and focused."
Legal 500 2022
“Highly experienced in judicial review proceedings.”
Legal 500 2021
“Provided clear and decisive input in a judicial review claim.”
Chambers and Partners 2021
“Very good for difficult and unusual cases.”
Legal 500 2020
“Abid’s advocacy is quite beguiling. He is very impressive and persuasive on his feet and is almost able to ‘lull’ the court and the other parties into agreeing with him. He is also superb with lay clients and is able to pitch his advice in just the right way.”
Chambers UK 2020
Notable Cases
Regina on the application of “O” v Coventry City Council CO/4355/2016 and CO/4404/2016
(December 2016)
Mr Justice Holroyd. Acted for Coventry City Council. Successfully resisted Claimant’s application for judicial review permission in respect of age dispute and Merton Compliant assessment matters.
Regina on the application of MS v Nottingham City Council CO/849/2016.
(December 2016)
Acted for Nottingham City Council in drafting grounds of defence and instructed to appear. Successful outcome for the Council following preparation of skeleton argument as proceedings withdrawn by client on the eve of hearing date for permission.
Patrick Simms v The Health Service Commissioner (B085 2016)
Acted for the Ombudsman in respect of disclosure issues raised by the Applicant relating to his imprisonment. Included Norwich Pharmacal issues. Successfully resisted claim on behalf of the Ombudsman.
Williams v Shropshire Council CO/3009/2015 Administrative Court. 2016
Acted for the Council in respect of a Judicial Review application concerning library services. Case settled at the hearing. Issues in respect of whether library at one location should be moved to a new location in view of central government funding cuts.
Taylor v Shropshire Council CO Ref 14031
Administrative Court, High Court of Justice. Acted for Shropshire Council in a successful resistance to the Claimant’s applications for an injunction and judicial review in respect of the restriction of bus services in Shropshire. Claimant’s issues included arguments in respect of rural isolation of the elderly.
Warwickshire County Council v Matalia 3BM30478
A school tutor had placed questions to be used in a forthcoming 11 Plus Grammar School Test onto the internet. Various issues arose. Acted for the local authority. Obtained an injunction to prevent publication and orders granted for removal of the same from the internet.
R (on the application of) JWW Allison and Sons Limited v The NHS Commissioning Board and NHS Property Services and others. CO/12513/2013
Instructed by JWW Allison. Obtained an injunction to prevent the NHS from permitting a new pharmacy to operate next to a new hospital in defiance of the existence of a century old pharmacy in the town centre. Issues included Judicial Review, procurement, EU law, injunctions, damages and leases.
R (on the application of Ali) v Minister for the Cabinet Office [2012] A.C.D. 89.
Subject: Data Protection. Information Rights. Human Rights. Disclosure. Cross Border data USA. A High Court case.
Appointments
Recorder of the Crown Court
Recorder of the Civil Court and Family Court
Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)
First Tier Tribunal Judge (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)
Panel barrister Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates
Awards
Short list for Barrister of the Year Law Society 2014
Past runner up LAPG Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award (Barrister Category)
Memberships
Administrative Law Bar Association
Family Law Bar Association
Midland Chancery Bar Association
Court of Protection Practitioners Association
