We advise in cases where foreign nationals living in the UK are vulnerable to exploitation. These include cases of domestic workers employed in private or diplomatic households, people who do not fully understand their employment rights, and people who have not challenged abusive situations due to their irregular immigration status or fear of return to harm in their home country. Some exploitative situations meet the legal definitions of “human trafficking” or “modern slavery” and we can advise on the obligations on UK to protect victims and prosecute traffickers in these circumstances.  

One Pump Court is recognised as a leading set in trafficking and modern day slavery law, with members of the immigration team representing in successful claims before the European Court of Human Rights as well as before domestic courts. We combine legal expertise with a compassionate client-focused approach in these often-sensitive cases. 

Members of our immigration team are regularly instructed to advise on: 

• Judicial review of decisions that a person  has not been trafficked or enslaved (“reasonable grounds” and “conclusive grounds” decisions)
• Challenges to refusals to grant discretionary leave to victims of trafficking
• Disqualification of victims of trafficking from assistance on public order or bad faith grounds, under section 63 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022
• Out-of-time appeal against conviction for those in trafficking situations who were unaware that they had a defence (in which we work with our highly-experienced criminal team colleagues)
• Entitlement of victims of trafficking to financial support and accommodation
• Related immigration and asylum refusals

In addition, One Pump Court’s immigration barristers have expertise in civil claims and can assist in pursuing compensation for victims through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority or directly against traffickers or employers.