Direct Access Barrister
Jan Doerfel
Direct Access Barrister
Jan Doerfel
I understand what is at stake for you and am committed to fighting for your best interests. I give clear advice as to your options and will guide you through the immigration process with confidence. I am particularly passionate about achieving justice in complex immigration, human rights and asylum cases that may have been through a number of previous refusals. Prior to working as a barrister, I assisted the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, took part in UN fact-finding missions and drafted UN reports and communications to Governments including urgent appeals to protect individuals from serious human rights violations including torture. I hold a Masters in International Human Rights Law (with a distinction) from the University of Essex. Where relevant and appropriate, I will call on my knowledge of UN mechanisms to support my clients’ cases and work with the media to assist my clients and get faster results.
Area of Law
Immigration, Asylum and Nationality
I have been working as a barrister specialising in asylum and immigration law for 20 years, first as a members of Chambers, then - for the last ten years or so - as a specialised sole practitioner. I now work directly as an online Chambers (Chambers of Jan Doerfel) and predominantly work with direct access clients. I prefer direct access work as this enables direct communication with my clients. This means that, when my clients have a query, they can contact me by email directly without needing to send the message via a solicitor or immigration advisor (which delays matters). Equally, direct contact with clients enables me to request all relevant information that I need to prepare their case in a way that I consider maximises their chances (having in mind what the Home Office expects to see but also what the courts would require to find in my clients' favour).
What sort of work do I do?
I advise on all aspects of immigration, asylum and nationality law, from initial applications all the way to judicial reviews and appeals and fresh claims. I assist clients in regularising their (and their family members') immigration status in case of overstaying or illegal entry, advise on applications for entry clearance, further leave to remain and settlement and represent clients before the courts including in the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal. I also regularly advise on chances for judicial review, send pre-action protocol letters and draft judicial review grounds in cases where the Home Office has acted unlawfully (including in refusing visit visas). I assist clients in complex asylum applications and applications on human rights grounds, applications for humanitarian protection, deportation, entry clearance, and bail applications. I also work with excellent medical and country experts, including scarring experts and consultant psychiatrists to ensure that my clients are able to corroborate their claims through fresh evidence to maximise their chances of success. I also frequently comment on immigration and asylum policy in the media and highlight unjust practices including my clients' cases (if they wish me to do so) when it assists their case.
Who do I work for?
I generally represent all persons and businesses with immigraton issues including individual applicants of all backgrounds and their families/family members, refugees, vulnerable and/or elderly persons, victims of torture, victims of domestic violence, persons suffering from PTSD, members of minorities (including religious and LGBTQI communities) and elderly dependent relatives.
I represent clients all across the UK. As I operate as an online Chambers, I hold conferences via online technology.
My hourly rate is £300. In certain cases, I may be able to offer fixed fees. In order to receive information, please contact me via this site or on [email protected].