Specialist in
Experience
Gilda Kiai is an experienced specialist in immigration, asylum, human rights and public law. Compassionate, committed and determined, Gilda is often selected to represent particularly vulnerable clients, successfully representing victims of torture, victims of trafficking, children, persons with disabilities or mental health conditions, LGBTI claims and claims raising gender related persecution – in particular those involving sexual violence and Female Genital Mutiliation.
Frequently before the Immigration and Asylum Chamber of the Upper Tribunal and First-Tier Tribunal, Gilda is an expert across all areas of immigration law, including refugee, human rights, deportation, EEA, domestic violence, refugee family reunion, entry clearance, points based system, bail and other immigration appeals.
Gilda has expertise in immigration related public law challenges, including judicial reviews of fresh claim refusals, certification decision, NRM decisions, delays in decision making and unlawful detention claims – including detained fast track (now detained asylum casework), bail and public law detention challenges. These often include representing victims of torture and those detained with mental health problems.
She provides CPD accredited training to Solicitors and Barristers, as well as mentoring and advising pupils and barristers at the Honourable Society of Grays Inn.
Away from Chambers and the Courts, Gilda is a founding member and the humanitarian lead for an innovative tech start-up focused on bringing aid and disaster relief to hard-to-reach and conflict affected areas.
What the directories say
“A sought-after immigration barrister who is lauded for her work with vulnerable individuals, particularly victims of trafficking, sexual violence and FGM. She is noted for her adroit handling of deportation and asylum matters, while her respected criminal practice only serves to strengthen her offering in the sphere. She is seasoned in judicial reviews, as well as in the appeal courts.
Strengths: “Gilda is a dream to work with. She’s responsive and engaged at all times. She is excellent across the board and very good at putting vulnerable clients at ease and winning their trust and confidence.
Recent work: Acted for the claimant in the Court of Appeal in a case concerning the SSHD’s power to withdraw a concession after an individual’s appeal had been granted based on that concession” (Chambers and Partners 2017).
“A sought-after immigration barrister who is lauded for her work with vulnerable individuals, particularly victims of trafficking. She is noted for her adroit handling of deportation and asylum matters, while her respected criminal practice only serves to strengthen her offering in the sphere.
Strengths: “She’s just fantastic: really approachable, easy to communicate with and very good with vulnerable clients.” “I will always choose her on vulnerable client cases – she really feels what you feel for the client” (Chambers and Partners 2016).
“A recipient of widespread praise from peers for her work in asylum, refugee and EU immigration matters. Applauded for her ability to instill confidence in vulnerable clients, she is a familiar face in the First Tier and Upper Tribunals.
Strengths: “She is organised and her written work is excellent.” “In court, she is very calm, measured and persuasive. Every time I have seen her on her feet, I have been impressed” (Chambers and Partners 2015).
‘Handles a wide range of immigration and administrative law work, including civil liberties matters. She is commended for her ability to sensitively manage complex refugee claims involving child migrants and trafficked persons.
Expertise: “She always delivers and is focused on winning; she’s a very good and relentless barrister” (Chambers and Partners 2014).
Repeatedly ranked as “Leading Junior” in Immigration Law (Tier 3) in the Legal 500 directory since 2013:
“Down to earth and liked by clients” (2017)
“Approachable, an excellent communicator and really on top of the law” (2016)
“Impressive” (2015)
“Really good with vulnerable clients, putting them at ease immediately” (2014).
Education
LLB (Hons), LLM
Professional Memberships
Administrative Law Bar Association
Anti–Trafficking Legal Project
Immigration Law Practitioner’s Association
Association of Women Barristers
Criminal Bar Association
Female Fraud Forum
Languages
Farsi