Professor Parosha Chandran is a multi-award-winning human rights barrister and a world-leading authority on the law relating to human trafficking, modern slavery and forced labour. She is a distinguished, internationally renowned figure known for her work to develop legal protections for victims of human rights abuses and has shaped domestic, regional and international legal standards in her fields for nearly three decades.
Uniquely, she is the only lawyer representing victims of trafficking to have secured three unanimous judgments of the European Court of Human Rights, each against a different State (2021, 2024, 2024), establishing globally influential principles on victim identification, non-punishment, investigative duties, the appreciation of the irrelevance of consent and the contours of coercion and vulnerability in trafficking cases. Her domestic and international jurisprudence has been widely cited and has directly influenced the evolution of State obligations, thereby strengthening victims’ rights and the interpretation of trafficking laws across Europe and beyond.
Her influence and impact involve precedent-setting litigation, major legislative reforms, expert advisory roles to the United Nations, Council of Europe, Parliaments and national governments worldwide, as well as the provision of extensive judicial, parliamentary, prosecutorial and law-enforcement training across numerous jurisdictions. She is a strong supporter of civil society organisations and works closely with NGO’s.
Her awards include the UK’s Barrister of the Year Award (2008) and the United States Government’s Trafficking in Persons Hero Award (2015), conferred by the Obama Administration for her exceptional, world-leading contribution to combating human trafficking and advancing the rule of law. She has advised on the laws of dozens of States, including having contributed expert advice to the British Parliament on several features of victim protection during the passage of the Modern Slavery Act 2015. She is a distinguished contributor to international guidance, having been involved in shaping multiple UN legal texts, authored foundational scholarship, and co-authored the Council of Europe’s extensive HELP online learning course on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings for legal professionals of all the 46 Member States of the Council of Europe (2017 & 2024). In 2018 she was appointed the inaugural Professor of Practice in Modern Slavery Law at King’s College London where she leads the LLM module, The Law and Practice in Modern Slavery and supervises postgraduate scholarship and research. This was the first professorship of its kind internationally, and was established in view of her global influence and excellence in her fields of specialism and expertise.
Alongside her core practice, Professor Chandran is recognised for her specialist work at the intersection of sports and human rights, informed by formal training in sports law and her pioneering legal expertise on sports trafficking. She is an Independent Expert for the NGO Mission 89 and has contributed to global research and policy addressing the exploitation of athletes in international sport, including having chaired several high-level meetings at the UN General Assembly in New York, Geneva and the Middle East (2022-2025).
Private hourly fee rate available on request.
B.B. v Slovakia (2024) – final Jan 2025
Landmark judgment addressing coercion, vulnerability, consent, State investigative duties and improper reclassification (downgrading) of trafficking offences. States must be cognisant of the subtle ways traffickers use to recruit and exploit victims. Violation of Art 4 ECHR (unanimous finding).
T.V. v Spain (2024) – final Jan 2025
Seminal judgment strengthening investigative obligations in trafficking cases, requiring States to have significant reasons to discontinue trafficking investigations or prosecutions owing to the devastating impact this may have on victims. Violation of Art 4 ECHR (unanimous finding).
V.C.L. & A.N. v United Kingdom (2021)
Landmark global authority on the non-punishment principle and victim identification. States must have trained, qualified persons to conduct trafficking identifications and victims must be diverted from court proceedings where they are being treated as offenders until this is carried out. Prosecutors are required to have clear reasons consistent with the three-part international definition of human trafficking to justify continuing a prosecution. An ineffective police investigation into a victim’s trafficking will deprive the victim from receiving evidence that may be useful for their defence to criminal charges. Violations of Arts 4 and 6 ECHR (unanimous findings).
M. v United Kingdom (2009)
Communication: http://www.bailii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/2008/522.html
Friendly Settlement Striking-out: http://www.bailii.org/eu/cases/ECHR/2010/1229.html
First trafficking-related international protection case taken to the ECtHR against the UK. First case where Interim Measures (now Rule 39 ECHR Rules of Procedure) were granted to prevent a removal to protect against the risk of sexual exploitation (re-trafficking) in the country of origin. Case settled following the UK’s grant of immigration leave to the victim.
Basfar v Wong [2022] UKSC 20
Supreme Court of England and Wales. Case concerning Diplomatic Immunity. World’s first judgment allowing trafficking victims to sue serving diplomats for compensation. Represented the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons as Counsel (Intervener). https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKSC/2022/20.html
R v AAD & Others [2022] EWCA Crim 106
Court of Appeal. Case concerning non-punishment. Developed abuse-of-process law and policy for trafficking victims seeking to confront criminal charges. Represented the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons as Counsel (Intervener). https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2022/106.html
Said & Ors v SSHD [2015] EWHC 879 (Admin)
Complex immigration and human rights related case. Subsequently involved Contempt of Court proceedings against the SSHD which settled. Litigation led to a substantial settlement award for Article 8 ECHR breaches. https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2015/879.html
MP & Anor v SSHD [2014] EWCA Civ 829
Complex immigration case. Represented the Intervener. https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2014/829.html
R v L & Others [2013] EWCA Crim 991
Landmark non-punishment/exploitation appeals concerning victims prosecuted and convicted for criminal acts. Represented two of the successful appellants. Presented legal arguments under Art 8 EU Trafficking Directive 2011 which led to the quashing of the criminal convictions of all the appellants. L’s case: developed the understanding of the meaning of ‘compulsion’ and the nexus under non-punishment law (§74); T’s case: developed an understanding of victim inconsistencies being characteristic of trafficking (§55). https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2013/991.html
PO (Nigeria) v SSHD [2011] EWCA Civ 132
Case concerned Refugee Protection for a victim of trafficking who had been trafficked by a trafficking network. The PO (Nigeria) case above was part of a long line of litigation which ultimately led to the 2011 ruling, led by Dinah Rose KC (reflecting a 2009 Tribunal ruling referred to in the judgment) that victims of international human trafficking by a criminal network/gang/organised criminal group do not know the identity of every person who was involved in their trafficking, thereby heightening their risk on return to their country of origin. Following the Court of Appeal judgment the client was granted Refugee Protection. https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2011/132.html
Patience Asuquo v Chief Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis (2009)
(Unreported)
High Court: First trafficking-related judicial review against the Metropolitan Police for breach of Article 4 ECHR positive obligations for having failed to investigate a human trafficker in a domestic servitude case. Commissioner responded proactively, settling the case in favour of the claimant. He furthermore disbanded the Met’s trafficking team, re-trained its police officers to recognise and identify exploitation crimes of servitude, slavery and forced labour (alongside its expertise on sex-trafficking), and created a new investigation team, the Human Trafficking and Exploitation Command.
Legislative Reform: Patience’s case exposed a legislative gap in English law, the absence of free-standing criminal offences of slavery servitude and forced labour. Professor Chandran worked with Baroness Young of Hornsey, Anti-Slavery International and Liberty, leading to s71 Coroners and Justice Act 2009, now Section 1 Modern Slavery Act 2015: the introduction into English law of the criminal offences of holding a person in slavery or servitude or requiring a person to perform forced labour (absent of trafficking).
R v O [2008] EWCA Crim 2835
Court of Appeal: First successful (domestically and internationally) non-punishment criminal appeal for a trafficked child, leading to the quashing of their criminal conviction and legal and policy-related developments in favour of victims’ rights protection. Led by Peter Carter KC. https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2008/2835.html
SB (Moldova) v SSHD [2008] UKAIT 00002
Asylum and Immigration Tribunal. First successful (domestically and internationally) reported asylum appeal to recognise that former victims of trafficking are a particular social group under the Refugee Convention 1951 and that a risk of re-trafficking is a risk of persecution.
Successfully represented numerous asylum claims on behalf of victims of trafficking in unreported decisions in the lead up to this seminal case. https://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKIAT/2008/00002.html
EM v MM v Romania (2005)
(Unreported)
First successful immigration-protection claim to be granted to EU nationals in the UK, having rebutted the ‘safe EU country’ test in a human trafficking context. Obtaining international protection for the two sisters, who were victims of child trafficking for sexual exploitation, enabled them to apply for and achieve the first compensation awards as trafficking victims under the criminal injuries compensation scheme in England (CICA).
(pre-2005 cases available on request)
United Nations
Council of Europe
Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA-UK)
OSCE
Orphanage Trafficking
Work for Lumos Foundation, Inter-Parliamentary Union, Interparliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking
Sports & Human Rights
England and Wales:
Advised on legislative reforms under the Human Rights Bill 1997, enacted as Human Rights Act 1998 (in the capacity of Independent Research Consultant for the Lord Chancellor’s Department, 1997-8).
Advised (2008-2009) on introduction into English law of the free-standing criminal offences of slavery, servitude and forced labour, enacted under s71 Coroners and Justice Act 2009, now s1 Modern Slavery Act 2015
Modern Slavery Act 2015: Member of Prime Minister’s Legal Steering Committee on the Modern Slavery Bill Pre-evidence Review (2013). Additionally provided independent expert advice to several members of Parliament on numerous aspects of victim protection during the passage of the Modern Slavery Bill (2013-2015), enacted as the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Scotland: Advised on several aspects of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015.
N. Ireland: Advised on the non-punishment provision in the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Criminal Justice and Support for Victims) Act (Northern Ireland) 2015.
Internationally: Advised on the trafficking laws of Commonwealth States as Senior Legal Advisor to the CPA-UK (2017-2024).
Inter-Parliamentary Union: provided expert advice as a Member of the Working Group on Orphanage Trafficking, contributing to the IPU’s landmark Resolution Against Orphanage Trafficking, 2023.
Books
“Human Trafficking Handbook: Recognising Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery in the UK”, LexisNexis, 2011. General Editor and expert contributor.
“A Guide to the Human Rights Act 1998”, Butterworths, 1999. Sole author.
Council of Europe
HELP Programme E-Learning Course: “Combating Trafficking in Human Beings”. Extensive online training providing 13 hours of free legal training on human trafficking for all legal professionals of the 46 Member States of the Council of Europe
Council of Europe (2017 & revised 2024 editions) — Co-author. https://rm.coe.int/help-course-brief-combating-trafficking-of-human-beings/16808b4f42
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons
“Implementation of the Non-Punishment Principle”. Member of Group of Experts. Report of the Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, especially women and children, A/HRC/47/34 (UN Human Rights Council, 2021).
https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/thematic-reports/ahrc4734-report-implementation-non-punishment-principle
“The Importance of Implementing the Non-Punishment Provision: The Obligation to Protect Victims”. Senior legal advisor.
UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, 2020.
https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-trafficking-in-persons/importance-implementing-non-punishment-provision-obligation-protect-victims
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Group of Experts, Member & contributor:
Issue Paper: “Abuse of a Position of Vulnerability and Other ‘Means’ within the Definition of Trafficking in Persons” (2012); Guidance Note on APOV (2012).
Issue Paper: “The Role of ‘Consent’ in the Trafficking in Persons Protocol” (2014).
“Case Law Digest: Evidential Issues in Trafficking in Persons Cases” (2017).
“Countering Trafficking in Persons in Conflict Situations” (2018).
Global Report on Trafficking in Persons – Special Report “Trafficking in the Context of Armed Conflict” (2019).
Model Legislative Provisions Against Trafficking in Persons (2020).
Legislative Guide for the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children (updated 2020).
OSCE
“Trafficking in Human Beings and Terrorism: Where and How They Intersect” (OSCE, 2021). Contributor.
‘Policy and Legislative Recommendations for States towards the Effective Implementation of the Non-Punishment Provision with Regard to Victims of Trafficking’ (OSCE, 2013). Expert contributor.
Orphanage / Institutional Child-Care Trafficking
“Model Law Against Institutional Child Care Trafficking”. Sole author. Published in ‘Cycles of Exploitation: The Global Risks of Orphanage Care’ (Lumos Foundation, 2021).
“A Lawmaker’s Guide to Stopping Orphanage Trafficking”. Published by Inter-Parliamentary Taskforce on Human Trafficking (USA), 2024. Expert contributor.
Sports and Human Rights/Trafficking
“Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking”. Published by Mission 89, CPA-UK & Loughborough University, 2024 — Independent Expert Contributor.
Parliamentary Publications (UK, CPA-UK, Modern Slavery Bill Evidence Review)
Expert contributor:
“Legislating Against Modern Slavery, Human Trafficking and Forced Labour” – e-Handbook (Vol. I). Published by Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK, 2018.
“Legislating Against Modern Slavery… The Role of Parliament to Scrutinise & Raise Awareness” – e-Handbook (Vol. II). Published by Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK, 2020.
“Establishing Britain as a World Leader in the Fight Against Modern Slavery – Report of the Modern Slavery Bill Evidence Review”. Member of the Prime Minister’s Legal Steering Committee. Published by Centre for Social Justice / Home Office “Modern Slavery Bill Evidence Review”, 2013 – Precursor to the Modern Slavery Bill 2013/Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Trafficking in Persons Hero Award (US Government/Obama Administration, 2015)
Barrister of the Year (Law Society Excellence Awards, 2008)
Lifetime Achievement Award Finalist (Society of Asian Lawyers (SAL), 2024)
Outstanding Contribution Award (British Nigeria Law Forum, 2021)
Outstanding Achievement in Academia Award (BRISLA Awards, 2019)
Human Rights Lawyer of the Year (SAL, 2009)
Woman of Achievement (Woman of the Year Awards, 2009)
Recipient of Diplôme of the International Institute of Human Rights (IIHR, Strasbourg, 1994)
Bar Vocational Course (Inns of Court School of Law)
Called to the Bar of England and Wales (1997)
LLM – University College London (1996)
International Diplôme in Human Rights Law (IIHR Strasbourg, 1994)
International Teaching Certificate for Universities (IIHR, Strasbourg, 1994)
Certificate of Participation (IIHR, Strasbourg, 1993)
SCHOLARSHIPS:
Hardwicke Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn (1995)
Stage Scholarship, Lincoln’s Inn (1996)
Pegasus Scholarship, Joint Inns of Court (1999)
WORK PLACEMENTS:
UN International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Office of the Prosecutor (1999)
Research Consultant in Human Rights, King’s College London (1997);
Independent Legal Advisor to the Lord Chancellor’s Department on the Human Rights Bill (1997)
INTERNSHIPS:
UNHCR London (1997)
European Commission for Human Rights, Strasbourg (1996)
AIRE Centre (1995–96)
British Institute of Human Rights (1994–96)
For information on hourly rates and fees