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 notable immigration barrister in Chambers and Partners in 2012. In 2011 Chambers and Partners described her as "a forceful fighter who wins the ear of the court".

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

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)

Languages

Tamil