Jennifer Lanigan

Jennifer Lanigan
Jennifer Lanigan

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Jennifer has a thriving common law practice. She welcomes instructions across a broad range of areas including immigration, family, public law, personal injury, and general civil. She frequently appears against senior counsel, including against King’s Counsel. She advises at all stages of litigation and has been instructed as sole counsel in cases up to and including the Court of Appeal.

Jennifer read English Language and Literature at Oxford University. She was called to the Bar by Middle Temple in 2018 as a Queen Mother scholar (awarded to outstanding candidates and one of the Inn’s most prestigious scholarships). 

Jennifer is committed to promoting access to justice: prior to commencing pupillage, Jennifer volunteered with various organisations including the Free Representation Unit, the National Centre for Domestic Violence, and the Citizens Advice Bureau. After commencing practice, Jennifer volunteered at the Waterloo Legal Advice Centre for two years. She continues to regularly provide advice and representation via Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit).

Immigration

Jennifer frequently appears on behalf of Appellants in the First-Tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal in asylum, deportation and human rights appeals. She has experience of representing vulnerable clients including victims of torture and victims of trafficking. As well as advisory work, Jennifer has experience of drafting grounds of appeal and grounds for judicial review, often under significant time pressure. Jennifer regularly provides representation via Bail for Immigration Detainees and frequently secures bail for clients including those without financial condition supporters. In appropriate cases, Jennifer is willing to act on a pro bono basis.

Highlights of recent work include:

  • TS v SSHD (UKUT PA/02748/2020): successful appeal on behalf of TS, an Ethiopian OLF supporter, against the First Tier’s decision to refuse him protection.
  • KS v SSHD (2021): successful asylum appeal on behalf of KS, a Sikh separatist and political activist. Jennifer helped KS secure protection on the basis of his sur place activities in light of the recent increasing hostility of Indian authorities towards pro-Khalistan political activism.
  • RG v SSHD (2021): appeal against the decision to deprive the appellant of his British citizenship under section 40(3) of the British Nationality Act 1981 (as amended).
  • AA v SSHD (2019): successful appeal against the revocation of the client’s refugee status; the case involved written representations from the UNHCR.
  • Lusas v SSHD (UKUT DA/00171/2019): appeal against a deportation order; the appellant had been convicted of thirteen offences in a six-to-seven-year period. The decision of the Upper Tribunal referred to Jennifer’s ‘entirely sensible (if not ultimately persuasive) submissions’.

Family

 

Children

Jennifer has experience representing clients at all stages, from case management hearings and applications to fact-finding and final hearings. She regularly acts in private proceedings involving Child Arrangements Orders, Specific Issue Orders, Prohibited Steps Order and Special Guardianship Orders. Jennifer also has particular experience in both seeking and resisting Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders.

 

Highlights of recent work include:

  • Y (disclosure to MPS) [2021] EWFC B33: application in the High Court for disclosure of documents in family proceedings. Jennifer was instructed, alongside Ben Haseldine, to represent the MPS. The case concerned Baby Y, a child born to parents A and B, both of whom were minors and siblings.
  • R v R (2021): successful outcome at a final hearing in an application for a Special Guardianship Order.
  • Re KS (2019): successfully represented the respondent mother in a multi-day fact-finding hearing, where all seven of the mother’s allegations were found to be proved.

 

Matrimonial Finance

Jennifer regularly acts for clients in matrimonial finance proceedings at all stages, from preliminary advice, through to interim applications and to final hearings. She has particular experience with sensitive and vulnerable clients and is frequently able to secure a positive settlement at an early stage of proceedings.

 

Probate / Inheritance

Jennifer accepts instructions in claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and in probate claims. During pupillage, she gained experience in this area, especially of successful mediations involving adult children of the deceased.

Public Law, Human Rights and Civil Liberties

Jennifer has a rapidly growing public law practice. She is frequently instructed in cases involving breaches of the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010. She has a particular interest in this area, having focused on public law and human rights law during her master’s degree at LSE. In addition, Jennifer is regularly instructed to provide advice and representation in the context of regulatory and disciplinary law.

Jennifer has experience of a wide range of issues including disability discrimination, discrimination on the basis of religion, victimisation, harassment, and unlawful detention. She is currently instructed on a number of challenges against the Secretary of State for Justice arising from alleged violations of prisoners’ rights. Jennifer accepts instructions to provide advice pre-issue, as well as instructions to provide subsequent representation at CCMC and other interim hearings, through to trials. In appropriate cases, Jennifer is willing to act on a pro bono basis.

 

In her first two years of practice, Jennifer appeared unled in the Court of Appeal, in the case of R (Lopes) v SSHD & Anr [2021] EWCA Civ 805. The Respondents were represented by Queen’s Counsel. The case concerned a challenge against the Respondents’ refusal to remove the Appellant under the Tariff Expired Removal Scheme, despite him having served his minimum tariff, due to an extant extradition request. The challenge was brought, inter alia, on the basis of a violation of Article 5 ECHR. The hearing was selected for live-streaming due to being a matter of ‘legal significance or public importance’. The judgment can be accessed here.

Employment

Jennifer appears on behalf of both claimants and respondents in the First Tier Tribunal. She has successfully represented clients at all stages, from preliminary hearings through to final hearings. This includes experience of dealing with Rule 50 orders, strike out applications, and costs applications. Jennifer also has experience of successfully negotiating settlements.

General Civil

Jennifer has a strong civil practice. She regularly appears in the County Court in fast-track applications, costs and case management hearings, disposal hearings, and trials. She is experienced with seeking and resisting strike out applications, as well as applications for relief from sanctions. Jennifer has experience in road traffic claims, aviation claims, as well as employer’s liability and public liability proceedings. Jennifer also undertakes drafting and advisory work.

Publications

‘DNA testing: time for change?’, co-authored with Chris Bryden, Family Law Journal, October 2019 

““… Jennifer was an incredible advocate, and with her attention to detail, and courteous approach with the court … she secured a wonderful outcome for the client. The client was so pleased with the outcome, she brought in gifts for the firm.””

Alun Jones Family Law Solicitors

“I frequently instruct Counsel Jennifer Lanigan to provide legal representation, advice and assistance on behalf of my firm’s asylum and immigration clients. Jennifer is an effective communicator, and an engaging speaker.”

Glenn Corney, Virgo Solicitors

“Whether Jennifer is dealing with children or financial relief matters, she is always meticulously prepared. Jennifer is always able to place the clients at ease by her empathetic and focused manner.

Katie Woudham, Woodford Stauffer Solicitors

“I cannot recommend Jennifer Lanigan highly enough. She has represented many of my clients at different stages of financial remedy proceedings and on each occasion her preparation, and attention to detail has been superb.
She remains calm and collected and is direct with clients when necessary whilst maintaining a good manner. She is pragmatic and she has been instrumental in achieving settlements on particularly difficult cases. I also appreciate how Jennifer keeps me updated throughout a case when appropriate and takes the time to address queries that may crop up.

Kelly Longmore, Franklins Solicitors

“I think that it is fair to say that Jenny stands out as a barrister whose work is truly exceptional. The quality of Jenny’s case analysis is superb. Her writing is precise and adequate, persuasive but not repetitive. Jenny was called to the bar only in 2018 and does not bring with her wealth of experience but, instead, those instructing her get a determined, analytical mind and a hard- working, determined advocate. Jenny is also prepared to argue difficult legal points with confidence, determination and energy we rarely see in other barristers which was demonstrated in her recent Court of Appeal appearance in Lopes .

I think that Jenny is a powerful advocate, strategic in her thinking and approach, well prepared and able to respond to challenge. Jenny is used to work with vulnerable people as many of those she is instructed to represent are long-term prisoners with various physical and mental disabilities. Jenny is sensitive to the limitations imposed on them not only by the custody regime and funding cuts but also by their health, poor literacy and linguistic barriers.

From my experience of work with Jenny I can say that she has demonstrated the maturity, skill and professionalism beyond the standard expected from an ordinary barrister. Jenny is an exceptional lawyer with a lot of ability and potential. I am certain that my colleagues at Kesar & Co agree that it has been a privilege working with her and we hope to continue in the future.

Mladen Kesar, Principal Solicitor, Kesar and Co

“From my experience of instructing Jenny, it is clear how deeply she cares about the plight of our clients and she fights fiercely to help them to find justice through the Tribunals. Her approach quickly gains the confidence of clients who are routinely impressed with work.
She clearly has outstanding knowledge of the law and thinks pragmatically about the next steps on cases. She is in variably immaculately prepared for hearings.
She is extremely approachable and down to earth and a genuine pleasure to work with.

Adam Spray, Solicitor and Legal Manager, Bail for Immigration Detainees

““…you always go above and beyond for both me (as a solicitor) but more importantly my clients. I am extremely fortunate to have found a junior barrister who works at such a high level! The service you provide is always extremely thorough (in term of your preparations) and you have an almost unique ability to spot key issues, …You have always provided clear and incisive advice…Your breadth and knowledge of the law is nothing short of impressive… I will continue to instruct you as one of my absolute preferred barristers … and I will have no hesitation in suggesting your services to my colleagues and other solicitors in the area.””

Martin Boniface, Partner and Head of Family Law Department, Premier Solicitors

““As a Solicitor, I have been instructing Jennifer on complex appeal matters in both the First Tier and Upper Tribunal since 2021 and I highly recommend working with her. I was recommended by my colleague and I soon discovered why. She is exceptionally talented with a unique skillset. She is thorough, fair and transparent in her legal advice which hits the mark every time! I have had nothing but praises from my clients for her work, dedication and support. She truly dedicates her time in fighting for human rights and has produced excellent results for my clients. I have no hesitation in recommend Jennifer who remains my first choice when instructing a counsel.””

Zarish Aslam, Solicitor, Reiss Edwards

Qualifications:
Call: 2018
Bar Professional Training Course, City Law School
LLM (Distinction), London School of Economics and Political Science
Graduate Diploma in Law, City Law School
BA (Hons) English Language and Literature, Pembroke College, Oxford University
Professional memberships:
Family Law Bar Association
Bail for Immigration Detainees
Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit)
Executive Committee, Young Bar Advocate
BSB Registration:
ICO No:
ZA506994