Home / Resources / Nicholas Chapman successful in leading Court of Appeal case

Nicholas Chapman successful in leading Court of Appeal case

25/10/2019

Nicholas Chapman, instructed by the Treasury Solicitor, successfully represented the Home Secretary in JS (Uganda), the leading Court of Appeal case concerning the meaning of “refugee” in the 1951 Refugee Convention and the circumstances in which refugee status may be withdrawn.

The case concerned, in particular, the nature and scope of the obligations owed to individuals who have been recognised as refugees on the basis of their family relationship with a person who has already been granted asylum in the UK, rather than any individualised fear of persecution in their home country.

Nicholas Chapman was instructed by the Home Secretary at the appeal stage.  Following a two-day hearing, the Court of Appeal (Underhill V-P, Newey and Haddon-Cave LJJ) allowed the Home Secretary’s appeal and dismissed JS’s linked appeal.

The Court of Appeal held that the term “refugee” in the Convention has a single autonomous meaning independent of the differing interpretations of the contracting states; and that the Convention’s cessation clause was to be construed widely, involving consideration of material changes to both relationship and risk.

The judgment can be viewed here.

Related Barristers

Environmental Law
Health & Safety
Inquests
Inquiries
Public Law

Nicholas Chapman

Call 2001

Read more

Search


Menu

Close

Portfolio Builder

Select the practice areas that you would like to download or add to the portfolio

Download    Add to portfolio   
Portfolio
Title Type CV Email

Remove All

Download


Click here to share this shortlist.
(It will expire after 30 days.)