Peter Jorro

Practice

Peter practises in all areas of immigration law. He joined Garden Court Chambers in 2000 after having been at the Refugee Legal Centre and having worked for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He undertakes advocacy in the Tribunal, the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, the Administrative Court and the Court of Appeal and has been junior counsel in the Supreme Court. In particular he has represented in several confidential asylum appeals made by individuals with a high profile in the countries from which they have claimed asylum. He frequently conducts training courses on asylum and immigration law related issues for various organisations, especially the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA), and has put the case on behalf of asylum seekers and refugees on television and radio.

Reviewers' Comments

"Peter Jorro is 'unbelievably knowledgeable about asylum law and is an asset to any team in this field.' An 'effective operator,' he has a wealth of experience in all aspects of immigration law and was recently instructed in the high-profile HJ (Iran) and HT (Cameroon) cases relating to gay claimants and their protection under the Refugee Convention." Chambers UK 2012

"Peter Jorro has 'absolutely superb knowledge' on asylum and human rights. Instructing solicitors are keen to praise his 'generosity in sharing his knowledge and his willingness to take the time to explain the most complex legal issues.'" Chambers UK 2011

"Peter Jorro has 'intellectual vigour and is quick to get to the important issues'" Legal 500 2011

"Peter Jorro's practice covers a range of immigration issues, although commentators especially emphasise his expertise in asylum cases." Chambers UK 2010

"Peter Jorro's detailed knowledge on Article 8 of the ECHR and related issues is highly regarded. 'He does not waste time in cutting right to the heart of an issue and is able to give clients reality checks when required before hearings.'" Chambers UK 2008

"The 'excellent, down-to-earth and no nonsense' Peter Jorro has recently been representing the Afghan hijackers before the immigration appellate authority. Especially impressive in appeals due to his 'realistic' advice, he is recommended for having the right mix of 'compassion and refreshing directness' in dealing with clients." Chambers UK 2007

Notable Cases

HJ (Iran) and HT (Cameroon) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] UKSC 31, [2011] 1 AC 596
Seminal asylum judgment relating to gay claimants but with wider applicability in terms of the true ambit of surrogate protection under the Refugee Convention.

T6 v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2011] UKSIAC 95/2010 Appeal before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission by a very high profile Algerian businessman / 'oligarch' who has fallen out with the Algerian President and whose case was certified by the Secretary of State on 'UK's relations with other country' and 'public interest' grounds.

R (Tshiteya) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2010] EWHC 238 (Admin)
Regarding fresh claims and Article 8, ECHR.

FK (Kenya) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA Civ 119
Successful appeal against negative 'country guidance' decision relating to risk of genital mutilation for Kenyan women.

RM (Somalia) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2007] EWCA Civ 751
Successful appeal in case emphasising the importance of not conflating claims for refugee status and humanitarian protection.

AJ (Liberia) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2006] EWCA Civ 1736
Successful appeal relating to risk of suicide as an argued breach of Article 3.

Secretary of State for the Home Department v Akaeke [2005] EWCA Civ 947, [2005] Imm AR 701, [2005] INLR 575
On administrative delay by the Home Office rendering a decision to remove a person from the UK a disproportionate interference in her right to respect for her family life in the UK.

He v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2002] EWCA Civ 1150, [2002] Imm AR 590
Chinese religious sect member fearing persecution.

Also RQ (Afghan National Army - Hizb-i-Islami - risk) Afghanistan CG [2008] UKAIT 00013; HY (Yibir - YS and HA applied) Somalia [2006] UKAIT 00002; MN (Findings on Sexuality) Kenya [2005] UKIAT 00021; AK and others (Tribunal Appeal - out of time) Bulgaria (starred) [2004] UKIAT 00201, [2004] Imm AR 486; OA (IFA - Unduly Harsh - Chechens - Relocation) Russia CG [2002] UKIAT 03796; Horvath [1999] INLR 7 (IAT); Yousfi [1998] INLR 136; Mario [1998] INLR 306; Mustafaraj [1994] Imm AR 78; Laftaly [1993] Imm AR 284; on-going cases relating to the Afghan citizens who 'hijacked' an aircraft to the UK in 2000.

Publications

Peter is the co-author of Asylum Law and Practice, now in its 2nd edition (Bloomsbury Professional, 2010) and has been responsible for the asylum chapter of (Jackson's) Immigration Law and Practice (most recently for its 4th edition - Tottel, 2008). He is also a contributor to Macdonald's Immigration Law & Practice, now in its eighth edition (LexisNexis, 2010) and for Halsbury's Laws of England (Vol. 4(2), 2002, in relation to British Nationality, Immigration and Asylum) for which he is currently working on the Immigration and Asylum Title for the new Fifth edition.

Professional Memberships

Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA).

Profile updated January 2012

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