Baker McKenzie, who acted for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as interveners in proceedings, welcomes the Supreme Court ruling handed down yesterday, finding the UK Government's Rwanda policy unlawful.
UNHCR intervened in an appeal, brought by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, against the judgment of the Court of Appeal which ruled that the UK Government's policy to relocate certain asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful.
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the Court of Appeal's ruling, acknowledging that the High Court failed to give proper consideration to UNHCR's evidence expressing concerns about the refoulement claims in Rwanda, when it rejected challenges by the Claimants to the policy.
The Baker McKenzie team, which worked on this case pro bono, was led by Disputes Partner and London head of the firm's Regulatory, Public & Media law team, Joanna Ludlam, Disputes Associates Lucy Player-Bishop, Natalie Haydon and Olivia Strafford, and trainees Cristina Thornton and Alexandra Booysen.
Joanna Ludlam commented:
"UNHCR's evidence in this case was pivotal in determining the Supreme Court's ruling. There are many people today and in the future who have a very desperate need for safety and who, thanks to our pro bono work on this case, will be able to look on yesterday as the day that saved them from the distress, anxiety, trauma and, possibly, worse, of being sent to Rwanda. By any measure, we have made a profound humanitarian impact."
Angus McCullough KC of 1 Crown Office Row, Laura Dubinsky KC and Agata Patyna of Doughty Street Chambers, David Chirico of One Pump Court Chambers, Jennifer MacLeod and Joshua Pemberton of Brick Court Chambers and George Molyneaux of Blackstone Chambers, acted as Counsel to UNHCR. They are instructed by Baker McKenzie.
UNHCR intervened in an appeal, brought by the Secretary of State for the Home Department, against the judgment of the Court of Appeal which ruled that the UK Government's policy to relocate certain asylum seekers to Rwanda was unlawful.
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld the Court of Appeal's ruling, acknowledging that the High Court failed to give proper consideration to UNHCR's evidence expressing concerns about the refoulement claims in Rwanda, when it rejected challenges by the Claimants to the policy.
The Baker McKenzie team, which worked on this case pro bono, was led by Disputes Partner and London head of the firm's Regulatory, Public & Media law team, Joanna Ludlam, Disputes Associates Lucy Player-Bishop, Natalie Haydon and Olivia Strafford, and trainees Cristina Thornton and Alexandra Booysen.
Joanna Ludlam commented:
"UNHCR's evidence in this case was pivotal in determining the Supreme Court's ruling. There are many people today and in the future who have a very desperate need for safety and who, thanks to our pro bono work on this case, will be able to look on yesterday as the day that saved them from the distress, anxiety, trauma and, possibly, worse, of being sent to Rwanda. By any measure, we have made a profound humanitarian impact."
Angus McCullough KC of 1 Crown Office Row, Laura Dubinsky KC and Agata Patyna of Doughty Street Chambers, David Chirico of One Pump Court Chambers, Jennifer MacLeod and Joshua Pemberton of Brick Court Chambers and George Molyneaux of Blackstone Chambers, acted as Counsel to UNHCR. They are instructed by Baker McKenzie.
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