He works particularly with clients whose asylum claims raise issues relating to sexual/gender identity, who suffer from mental and physical illness, in cases involving complex family histories and needs, with clients whose claims are based on religious identity, with unaccompanied minor asylum-seekers, with clients faced with conducive deportation decisions under the old or the new (‘automatic’) provisions, and with clients facing removal to other EU states either under the Dublin Regulation or for public policy reasons.

Alongside his work in (and on appeal from) the Tribunals, he has a large and varied judicial review practice, covering all areas of immigration law, including challenges to fresh claim and certification decisions, citizenship challenges, third-country cases, policy and implementation challenges, and refusals to waive fees or permit access to public funds.

Many of his clients have been detained by the Secretary of State, and David has an established practice in false imprisonment and related civil claims.

With the rest of the Immigration Team at 1 Pump Court, David is committed to the provision of high-quality representation to people who do not have the means to pay for it themselves, whether through legal aid or by other arrangements, including pro bono work, CFAs and realistic agreed fees.

Career

Called to the Bar in 2002, he previously worked in the Czech Republic for the European Roma Rights Center, as a caseworker and helping in the preparation of strategic litigation on discrimination in the criminal justice system, access to education, and access to housing. On return to the UK, he was a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in Central European Studies at University College, London, and was regularly called upon to act as an expert on the situation of Czech and Slovak Roma at all levels of the immigration appellate system in the UK (see e.g R (ZL and VL) v SSHD [2003] EWCA Civ 25).

David has been at 1 Pump Court since 2002. In addition to giving open and in-house seminars on behalf of 1 Pump Court, David regularly trains for the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association. He has also delivered training in recent years for ECRE, the Danish Refugee Council, and the Italian immigration practitioners’ association (ASGI), and he has spoken at conferences organised by JUSTICE and by the Bar European Group, and volunteers for UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKLGIG). He is a trustee of UKLGIG and of the development charity PIN-UK..

Chambers and Partners, 2014

“Super-committed – he puts so much into his cases and gets really good results… He’s passionate about his cases and a brilliant drafting machine. Works wonders with vulnerable clients and fights to the last on their behalf.”

Chambers and Partners, 2015

“He is very clever, very thoughtful and his written work is first-class.”

Legal 500, 2013

“Completely committed to every case he works on,” and “very professional and meticulous.”

Chambers and Partners, 2013

“Unanimously praised to researchers by an impressive number of leading claimant solicitors. His commitment to his clients and to the field of immigration law is total. His intellect, determination and work rate mean that once you instruct him, you want him on as many cases as possible.”