Biography
Shivani is deservedly known as a brilliant advocate. She is an exceptionally innovative lawyer whose many successful cases include landmark decisions on immigration detention, interpretation of war crimes in exclusion from the Refugee Convention, fresh claims for asylum and country guidance on return to Zimbabwe.
Shivani is ranked as a 'Leading Individual' in immigration law in Chambers and Partners in 2013:
"Shivani Jegarajah is recommended for her work on children-based human rights applications, and appears frequently for claimants in judicial reviews in the higher courts. She has carried out interesting work surrounding the political implications of deportations to Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and is praised by her clients for her commitment, pragmatism and creative thinking."
As well as being a fast thinking, formidable and charismatic advocate Shivani is approachable and has very strong relationships with solicitors who instruct her.
Experience
Shivani very regularly appears in the High Court and the Court of Appeal and has appeared in the Supreme Court. She is a dedicated immigration specialist and has huge experience in the field going back to the 1990s.
Shivani's reputation as an advocate is widely recognised at senior levels of the judiciary:
"...Shivani Jegarajah, who has argued the claimant's case before us with skill and realism..." (Sir Stephen Sedley, NA (Iran) v SSHD [2011] EWCA Civ 1172)
"Her submissions, both in writing and orally to us, have been direct and to the point and for that I am grateful." (Pitchford LJ, PT (Sri Lanka) v SSHD [2010] EWCA Civ 251)
"Like my Lord, I would like to express my appreciation of the advocacy on this appeal, particularly that of Miss Jegarajah, who was well prepared and argued the appeal with admirable economy and persuasiveness." (Arden LJ, PT (Sri Lanka) v SSHD [2010] EWCA Civ 251)
"I associate myself with the commendation that has come from my Lord and my Lady for the quality of Miss Jegarajah's advocacy." (Thorpe LJ, PT (Sri Lanka) v SSHD [2010] EWCA Civ 251)
"Ms Jegarajah's skilful submissions" (Maurice Kay LJ, SM (Sri Lanka) v SSHD [2009] EWCA Civ 1503)
"...her admirably clear and succinct submissions..." (Lloyd LJ, R (on the application of VK) v SSHD [2009] EWCA Civ 1435
Reported Cases
MN and others (Ahmadis – country conditions – risk) Pakistan CG [2012] UKUT 00389 (IAC)
R (on the application of JS (Sri Lanka)) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] 1 AC 184, [2010] 2 WLR 766
KJ (Sri Lanka) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] Imm AR 674
EM and Others (Returnees) Zimbabwe CG [2011] UKUT 98 (IAC)
Senthuran v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2004] 4 All ER 365
Nadarajah v Secretary of State for the Home [2004] INLR 139
Katrinak v Secretary Of State For Home Department [2001] 3 FCR 367, [2001] Fam Law 726, [2001] INLR 499
R (on the application of Jeyapragash) v Immigration Appeal Tribunal [2005] 1 All ER 412
R (on the application of Kariharan & Anor) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2002] 3 WLR 1783, [2002] INLR 383, [2003] Imm AR 163, [2003] QB 933
Notable cases:
Barrow v Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for the Home Department v SK (Sri Lanka) [2012] EWCA Civ 16
R (on the application of MK) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2012] EWHC 18 (Admin)
NA (Iran) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] EWCA Civ 1172
R (on the application of Kose) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] EWHC 2594 (Admin)
PT (Sri Lanka) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] EWCA Civ 251
R on the application of Kokularamanan) v Secretary Of State For Home Department [2010] EWHC 3512 (Admin)
SM (Sri Lanka) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 1503
R (on the application of VK) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 1435
R (on the application of TK) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWCA Civ 1550
R on the application of Princely) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWHC 3095 (Admin)
R on the application of S) v Independent Appeal Panel of London Borough of Sutton [2009] EWHC 1223 (Admin)
R on the application of Shayanth) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2009] EWHC 1208 (Admin)
R (on the application of TR (Sri Lanka)) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 1549
SJ (Sri Lanka) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 344
WM (DRC) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 1495
R on the application of Katshunga) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] EWHC 1208 (Admin)
Sinnarasa (R on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2005] EWHC 1126 (Admin)
Subesh & Ors v Secretary Of State For Home Department [2004] EWCA Civ 56
R (on the application of J) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2004] EWHC 2636 (Admin)
Ashraff v Immigration Appeal Tribunal [2003] EWCA Civ 212
Indrakumar v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2003] EWCA Civ 1677
Secretary of State for the Home Department v (1) Nadarajah (Kalaichelvan) (2) Amirhanathan (Edward Kennedy) [2003] EWCA Civ 1768
Ratnam (R on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2003] EWHC 398 Admin
Yaseetharan (R on the application of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department & Chief Immigration Office Stansted [2002] EWHC 1467 (Admin)
Education
London School of Economics
Awards
Ranked Band 3 in Chambers and Partners 2013: "Shivani Jegarajah is recommended for her work on children-based human rights applications, and appears frequently for claimants in judicial reviews in the higher courts. She has carried out interesting work surrounding the political implications of deportations to Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and is praised by her clients for her commitment, pragmatism and creative thinking."
Languages
Tamil