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 able to bring his unique experience in sitting as a part time judge in various different jurisdictions, along with twenty years of practice as a Barrister to Sports Law matters.
He regularly deals with High Net Worth Individuals seeking to enter the United Kingdom and therefore can assist both sports establishments with their requirements but also personalities with such applications to enter the United Kingdom in a discreet and efficient manner.
He has been instructed in cases concerning a wide variety of matters, including assisting a Premiership Football Club that was seeking to obtain entry clearance for a non European Union player and a County Cricket Club with entry clearance issues.
Approved to undertake national security cases requiring a special advocate in all fields, including immigration, asylum, deportation, employment, banking and finance.
Abid Mahmood has been a feature of the leading directories for several years and has been commended for his highly regarded “client handling skills”.
Recommendations
"He's very experienced and really good with clients; he can adopt the correct approach in cases."
Chambers UK 2023
"Abid has a brilliant all-around knowledge of law and procedure and has thought of novel points on many occasions. He has been involved in many precedents setting cases up for the Supreme Court. He always has time for professional clients and treats lay clients with compassion and respect."
Legal 500 2023
"He's got a good reputation in the area, he's a smooth advocate and has a nice approach to cases."
Chambers UK 2022
"Exceptional specialist knowledge and experience. Always supremely well prepared and focused. "
Legal 500 2022
“Provided clear and decisive input in a judicial review claim.”
Chambers UK 2021
“Highly experienced in judicial review proceedings.”
Legal 500 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
Okafor and others v Secretary of State for the Home Department. [2011] EWCA Civ 499
The Court of Appeal considered an important issue concerning the husband and children of an EU national that had committed suicide and the effect of EU Directive 2004/28 and Articles 12 and 16 of the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006. This case is currently the subject of an application to the Supreme Court.
RK (Zimbabwe) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] EWCA Civ 456
The Court of Appeal considered the risk on return to Zimbabwe of an asylum seeker from Zimbabwe that had been in the United Kingdom for a number of years. The Court of Appeal allowed the Appellant’s appeal and remitted the case to the Upper Tribunal for an assessment to be undertaken.
DS (Afghanistan) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] EWCA Civ 305
The Court of Appeal allowed the Appellant’s appeal. He was an unaccompanied asylum seeking child. This is an important case dealing with the Asylum Seekers (Reception Conditions) Regulations in respect of the tracing of the child’s parents. There was a duty on the secretary of state to endeavour to trace a child’s family as soon as possible after the child has made his asylum claim. The Secretary of State has sought permission to appeal to the Supreme Court.
R (on the application of Daley Murdoch) v Secretary of State for the Home Department. [2011] EWCA Civ 161
A test case at the Court of Appeal in respect of the issue of segregated decisions and rights of appeal. This case is currently the subject of an application to the Supreme Court.
R (on the application of WJ (China) v Secretary of State for the Home Department. [2011] EWCA Civ 183
The Court of Appeal considered the issues of rights of appeal in respect of s82 of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 and whether there was a conflict with Supreme Court authority in respect of the decision in BA (Nigeria) v SSHD.
QJ (Algeria) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] EWCA Civ 1478
21 December 2010
Acted as a Special Advocate. Issues concerning deportation of an Appellant convicted in the United Kingdom of terrorism related offences. This case is currently the subject of an application to the Supreme Court by the Special Advocates.
R (on the application of Mansoor) v Secretary of State for the Home Department. [2011] EWHC 832 (March 2011)
The Administrative Court considered issues in respect of family life and referred to the judgement of the European Court in C-3409 Zambrano v Onem 8 March 2011 BAILII: [2011] EUECJ C-34/09.
TM, KM and LZ (Zimbabwe) v SSHD [2010] EWCA Civ 916
Leading case on the risk on return relating to sur place activities on return to Zimbabwe. The high profile nature of the President Mugabe regime which has dominated the media in recent times is currently an issue which continues to be of concern and which Abid has been involved in for some years now in acting for the Appellants.
AN (Pakistan) v SSHD [2010] EWCA Civ 757
The Court of Appeal considered the Appellant’s issues relating to domestic violence and suicide risk in respect of Articles 2 and 3 ECHR.
WJ (China) v SSHD [2010] EWHC 776 (Admin)
This was the first decision of the Administrative Court in respect of the fresh claims jurisdiction as it interplays with s92 NIAA 2002. It also raises issues in respect of Article 8 ECHR. Permission to appeal was granted by the Court itself.
Re: A local authority and F (children), Ministry of Justice intervening (2010)
Acted as a special advocate in respect of issues of a sensitive nature raised by the Ministry of Justice in respect of prisons.
FH (Post flight spouses) Iran [2010] UKUT 27 (IAC)
Appeal presided over by Sedley LJ in which UT suggested after a successful appeal that there ought to be a change to the Immigration Rules.
NB and ZD (Paragraph 59-discretion) Guinea [2010] UKUT 302 (IAC)
PS (working holiday maker-assessment-maintenance) [2010] UKUT 280 (IAC)
A (Afghanistan) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 825 (30th July 2009) Court of Appeal
First reported Court of Appeal case in respect of issues concerning post flight spouses’ rights to enter the United Kingdom. Acted for the Appellant, but Court of Appeal critical of the approach of the SSHD.
KS (India) and JA (Bangladesh) v ECO [2009] EWCA Civ 762 (Court of Appeal 23rd July 2009). Court of Appeal.
Working Holiday Makers. Third Party Support.
QJ v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] SC/84/89
Terrorism issues. Risk on return to Algeria. Acted as a Special Advocate before SIAC.
MA (Somalia) v Secretary of State for the Home Department. [2009] EWCA Civ 4
Court of Appeal. The lawfulness of removal directions and section 84(1) and section 86 NIAA 2002
NB (Guinea) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 1229
13th November 2008
Court of Appeal. Whether the section 103A NIAA 2002 process is ultra vires. Rule 23 of the Procedure Rules 2005.
SK (Pakistan) v SSHD
September 2008
(hearing date awaited: permission to appeal granted) Court of Appeal. Domestic Violence Rule.
NS (Sudan) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 318
Court of Appeal. Risk on return to involuntary returnees.
Secretary of State for the Home Department v AH (Sudan) [2008] UKHL 49 House of Lords
Internal Relocation, Secretary of State’s Appeal.
AH, IG NM v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 297
Court of Appeal: Appellants’ appeals.
Ahmed v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 300
Court of Appeal. Remittal hearings and the AIT Practice Direction of 2005.
Januzi, Hamid and others v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] UKHL 5
House of Lords. Acted as Junior Counsel for Hamid.
A (Iraq) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2005] EWCA Civ 1438
Court of Appeal. Article 1F Exclusion: Torture by Saddam Hussein’s soldier.
Hamid, Gafaar and Mohammed v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2005] EWCA Civ 1219
Court of Appeal. This was the first ever referral by the High Court pursuant to section 103 of the NIAA 2002.
Siddig v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2005] EWCA Civ 1242
Court of Appeal. Expert evidence issues.
Khalid v Secretary of State for the Home Department. [2005] EWCA Civ 624
Court of Appeal considered issues raised about case law not cited at first instance.
Tsagaan v Secretary of State for the Home Department. [2005] EWCA Civ 1506
Court of Appeal considered the issue of prison conditions and Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
Appointments
Recorder of the Crown Court
Recorder Civil Courts 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
Memberships
Administrative Law Bar Association
Family Law Bar Association
Midland Chancery Bar Association
Midland Circuit
Criminal Law Bar Association
Qualifications
Approved by the Bar Council to undertake Public Access work
