Practice Summary
Natasha is a public law barrister, with a practice focused on human rights, immigration, national security and environmental law. She has appeared in cases in the Supreme Court, Privy Council and Court of Appeal (led and unled), and has significant judicial review and public inquiry experience.
Natasha is ranked as a “Leading Junior” in her specialisms of Public and Administrative Law and Immigration, and is a contributing author to “The Law and Practice of Human Rights” (LexisNexis Butterworths). She is regularly instructed in strategic litigation on behalf of individuals, NGOs, campaign groups, companies, regulatory clients and Government. She has been appointed to the Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates (2025) and the ‘C’ Panel of Junior Counsel (2021).
Some recent work includes:
- Immigration judicial review / appeals: acts for claimants who have been denied asylum support, and appeared as junior counsel for a group of asylum seekers in a claim successfully challenging widespread and systemic breaches in the asylum support system: R (SXK, K, NY and AM) v SSHD [2023] EWHC 1876 (Admin).
- She is also instructed in cross-Government litigation concerning the relocation of Afghan citizens to the UK, including in cases with a national security dimension. R (KA) v (1) FCDO (2) SSHD (3) SSD [2022] EWHC 2473 (Admin), R (CX1) v (1) SSD (2) SSHD [2024] EWHC 94 (Admin), R (CX1) v (1) SSD (2) SSHD
[2024] EWHC 94 (Divisional Court), R (LND1) v (1) SSHD (2) FCDO
[2024] EWCA Civ 278. In relation to deportation, Natasha is acting in appeals to the Court of Appeal in Vargova v SSHD, Molnar v SSHD and Nguyen v SSHD, in the Jamaica Country Guidance case EP (to be heard by the Upper Tribunal in March 2026). She also has experience in SIAC proceedings.
- Post-Brexit / free movement rights: Natasha has acted in a number of the leading cases concerning the interpretation of the free movement provisions under the Withdrawal Agreement in the wake of Brexit. Reported cases include: Celik v SSHD and (1) Aire Centre (2) Here for Good (3) Independent Monitoring Authority [2023] EWCA Civ 921, Siddiqa v ECO and (1) Independent Monitoring Authority (2) Aire Centre & Here for Good [2024] EWCA Civ 248, (1) Akinsanya (2) Aning-Adjei v SSHD [2024] EHC 469 (Admin), R (Mendes) v SSHD [2020] EWCA Civ 924. Her advice is regularly sought on the interpretation and application of the Withdrawal Agreement more widely, particularly in relation to social security and cross-cutting matters. In the wider EU law context, she appeared in the Supreme Court in the leading case on insurance jurisdiction under private international law under the Brussels I convention: Keefe v (1) Mapfre Mutualidad Compania De Seguros y Reaseguros SA (2) Hoteles Pinero Canarias SL (on reference to the CJEU).
- Freedom of expression / property rights: Natasha acted in the Article 1 Protocol 1 ECHR challenge to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 in R (Cadogan Estate & Ors) v SSHCLG (judgment pending). She also acts in various matters concerning the intersection between Article 10 freedom of speech and expression rights and the right to property. She obtained, as junior counsel, an injunction restricting anti-asylum protests at the Stradey Park Hotel (Gryphon Leisure Ltd v Persons Unknown) and is acting on behalf of the Icelandic protest artist (ODEE) in his Strasbourg challenge to the restriction of his artistic expression by a large company (appealing Samherji v Oddur Fridriksson [2024] EWHC 2892 (Ch).
- Environmental public law: Natasha’s environmental practice is broad and includes human rights, regulatory, wildlife and conservation and energy matters. She has experience advising on state policy matters, including on assimilated EU law and the UK’s net zero obligations post-Brexit, and has been instructed in judicial review and statutory review proceedings concerning domestic renewable energy delivery, infrastructure, carbon capture and community rights. She has advised in a series of matters for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) and local campaign groups concerning the conservation of open spaces through public, property, planning and charity law methods, including at West Ham Park, Oakfields, Chertsey and Brentford. She also advises on issues related to ecological impact and biodiversity in planning matters, and is acting for a campaign group concerning the human rights implications of air pollution on environmental health and toxicity issues.
- Public / Human Rights Inquiries: Natasha acts as counsel to the Iraq Fatality Investigations, an Article 2 inquiry chaired by Dame Anne Rafferty into civilian deaths in Iraq involving British forces. She has led the counsel team since 2021, and conducted the questioning of witnesses at the live-streamed public hearings. She is also instructed on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in the Covid-19 Inquiry.
Natasha advises (often pro bono) on a broad range of issues under international humanitarian, human rights and environmental law. In 2023, she acted as a Trial Observer for the Bar Human Rights Committee in the Israeli military courts in Palestine and reported in November 2024 on the role of the Courts under international humanitarian and human rights law. She is also a member of the Geoffrey Nice Foundation working group on the role of international judicial mechanisms in post-conflict society. Prior to joining the Bar, she worked at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in Switzerland and for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Natasha is a Governor at The Bridge School, a SEND multi-academy trust in Islington. She also taught Public and Constitutional Law at the London School of Economics until 2023.
Public and Administrative
Natasha is ranked as a Leading Junior in her practice areas of Public, Administrative and Human Rights Law and Immigration. She acts for individuals, NGOs, campaign groups, companies, Central Government, local authorities and regulatory agencies.
While her public law work relates mostly to her core practice areas of human rights, immigration, national security and environmental law, she has experience across a range of public law and regulatory areas. She also has experience in bringing and defending constitutional motions in Commonwealth jurisdictions and appeals to the Privy Council.
Natasha is on the Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates (2025) and ‘C’ Panel (2021). She is a contributing author to The Law and Practice of Human Rights (Lexis), and taught Public and Constitutional Law at the London School of Economics until 2023.
Further information about Natasha’s specialisms can be found at the tabs on the right of this page.
Human Rights
Natasha is a human rights specialist and regularly acts in cases concerning the ECHR, civil liberties and constitutional rights. She works with a range of human rights NGOs and campaign groups, including the Bar Human Rights Committee, the International Lawyers Project, the Death Penalty Project, A4ID and Adameer, and much of her human rights work has an international dimension.
Some recent work includes:
- International Rights: Natasha acted as a Trial Observer the Bar Human Rights Committee in the Israeli military courts in Palestine in 2023, and reported in November 2024 on the role of the Courts under international humanitarian and human rights law. She has also advised NGOs on issues including the application of International Humanitarian Law (IHL) to the conflict in West Papua and the international status of that conflict, and on state engagement with the ICRC. She is also working with the International Lawyers Project on minority rights issues in Kenya in relation to carbon credit schemes.
- Freedom of expression / property rights: Natasha has acted on behalf of commercial clients in a range of sectors to challenges impacting commercial interests and A1P1 rights. She acted in the Article 1 Protocol 1 challenge to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 in R (Cadogan Estate & Ors) v SSHCLG, and advised in relation to public law issues concerning the MOD’s service estate in R (Annington Property Limited) v SSD [2023] EWHC 1154 (Admin). She also acts in various matters concerning the intersection between Article 10 freedom of speech and expression rights and the right to property. She obtained, as junior counsel, an injunction restricting anti-asylum protests at the Stradey Park Hotel (Gryphon Leisure Ltd v Persons Unknown), and is acting on behalf of the Icelandic protest artist ODEE in his Strasbourg challenge to the restriction of his artistic expression by a large company (appealing Samherji v Oddur Fridriksson [2024] EWHC 2892 (Ch).
- EU Charter for Fundamental Rights: Natasha has acted in a number cases concerning the relationship between the EU Charter for Fundamental Rights and the ECHR post-Brexit. Reported cases include: Celik v SSHD and (1) Aire Centre (2) Here for Good (3) Independent Monitoring Authority [2023] EWCA Civ 921, Siddiqa v ECO and (1) Independent Monitoring Authority (2) Aire Centre & Here for Good [2024] EWCA Civ 248, (1) Akinsanya (2) Aning-Adjei v SSHD [2024] EHC 469 (Admin), (1) Hasanaj (2) Vasa v SSHD [2024] EWCA Civ 777, Mustaj v SSHD [2025] EWCA Civ 663; R (Mendes) v SSHD [2020] EWCA Civ 924. She is instructed in Vargova v SSHD and Molnar v SSHD, to be heard by the Court of Appeal in November 2025.
- Right to a fair trial: Natasha acted in Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse International & Ors [2022] EWHC 3094 (Comm), concerning the extent to which Article 6 protects against disclosure in commercial proceedings where there is a real risk of criminal prosecution without a fair trial abroad. She has also authored the chapter on the Article 7 right to no retrospective penalty in “The Law and Practice of Human Rights” (LexisNexis Butterworths).
- Constitutional rights: Natasha has experience acting in constitutional motions from Commonwealth jurisdictions concerning the scope and application of constitutional rights. She recently acted on behalf of the Attorney-General of Trinidad and Tobago in the landmark linked appeals relating to the constitutionality of the Coronavirus Regulations 2020 and the scope of the legislative savings provisions contained in the Constitution: Suraj & Ors v AG of Trinidad & Tobago [2022] UKPC 26.
Before joining the Bar, Natasha held the Richard Sandbrook Fellowship at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in Switzerland, advising on the RED+ conservation and social justice programme. She also worked as a Legal Intern for the UNDP, researching judicial transparency and the rule of law.
Immigration
Natasha has appeared in many of the leading cases relating to free movement rights under the Withdrawal Agreement post-Brexit, and acts in various strategic appeals concerning the deportation of foreign nationals.
Natasha acts in a range of cases raising immigration matters related to national security. She is on the Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates (2025), and is familiar with Closed Material Proceedings in the High Court and SIAC.
She has worked giving legal and practical advice in camps and clinics in Athens, Calais and Dunkirk and works with a variety of NGOs, including RLS Athens, the Ukraine Advice Project UK, the AIRE Centre, Bail for Immigration Detainees and the Bar Human Rights Committee.
Some examples of recent work include:
- Asylum support: Natasha acted as junior counsel to a group of asylum seekers in a claim successfully challenging widespread and systemic breaches in the asylum support system, alleging breaches of the statutory scheme and of Article 3 ECHR: R (SXK, K, NY and AM) v SSHD [2023] EWHC 1876 (Admin). She regularly acts on behalf of claimants who have been refused or denied asylum support.
- Afghanistan relocation: Natasha is instructed in cross-Government litigation concerning the relocation of Afghan citizens, including in cases with a national security dimension. Reported cases include: R (KA) v (1) FCDO (2) SSHD (3) SSD [2022] EWHC 2473 (Admin), R (CX1) v (1) SSD (2) SSHD [2024] EWHC 94 (Admin), R (CX1) v (1) SSD (2) SSHD [2024] EWHC 94 (Divisional Court), R (LND1) v (1) SSHD (2) FCDO [2024] EWCA Civ 278.
- Freedom of movement under the Withdrawal Agreement: Natasha has acted in a number of the leading cases concerning the interpretation of the free movement provisions under the Withdrawal Agreement in the wake of Brexit. Reported cases include: Celik v SSHD and (1) Aire Centre (2) Here for Good (3) Independent Monitoring Authority [2023] EWCA Civ 921, Siddiqa v ECO and (1) Independent Monitoring Authority (2) Aire Centre & Here for Good [2024] EWCA Civ 248, (1) Akinsanya (2) Aning-Adjei v SSHD [2024] EHC 469 (Admin), (1) Hasanaj (2) Vasa v SSHD [2024] EWCA Civ 777, Mustaj v SSHD [2025] EWCA Civ 663; R (Mendes) v SSHD [2020] EWCA Civ 924. Her advice is regularly sought on the interpretation and application of the free movement provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement more widely, in particular with regards to related social security matters.
- Deportaton: Natasha is acting in appeals to the Court of Appeal in R (Vargova) v SSHD and R (Nguyen) v SSHD, which concern the application of the deportation regimes under post-Brexit EU and domestic law. She is appearing in the Jamaica Country Guidance case EP (to be heard by the Upper Tribunal in March 2026). She has experience in SIAC proceedings.
- Trafficking: Natasha has acted on behalf of a number of victims of trafficking in judicial review challenges raising Art 4 ECHR and ECAT grounds. She has been instructed in strategic challenges to the Modern Slavery Statutory Guidance in the context of claims to secure non-provision or curtailment of benefit payments and / or to secure accommodation. She is also experienced in claims for civil damages.
Judicial Review
Natasha’s judicial review and public law practice is focused on her sub-fields of human rights, immigration and environmental law (see tabs above), she regularly acts across a broad range of areas including commercial, healthcare, education, social care, social security and regulatory matters.
Commercial judicial review: Natasha has experience acting in commercial judicial review and regulatory proceedings and recently appeared in the Article 1 Protocol 1 challenge to the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 in R (Cadogan Estate & Ors) v SSHCLG. She also advised in relation to public law issues concerning the MOD’s service estate in R (Annington Property Limited) v SSD [2023] EWHC 1154 (Admin). Natasha had experience as a commercial and private international law barrister before specialising in public law, and appeared in the commercial courts in several of The Lawyer’s ‘Top 20 cases of the Year’ (Republic of Mozambique v Credit Suisse International & Ors [2022] EWHC 3094 (Comm); Re Keeping Kids Company [2021] EWHC 175 (Ch)). She also acted in the Supreme Court in Keefe v (1) Mapfre Mutualidad Compania De Seguros y Reaseguros SA (2) Hoteles Pinero Canarias SL (on
reference to the CJEU).
Health and social care: Natasha has advised and acted for a range of healthcare clients, including the Department for Health and Social Care, the British Medical Association and the Parliamentary Health and Social Care Ombudsman (PHSO). She appeared as junior counsel, led by Tim Buley KC, in the Supreme Court in a case concerning the responsibility for funding after-case service for those detained under the Mental Health Act: R (Worcestershire County Council) v SSHSC [2023] UKSC 31. Natasha is also a contributor to the textbook “NHS Law and Practice” (LAG) (2nd
ed.).
Education: Natasha also has experience acting in a range of education judicial review matters for children and young people, individuals, providers and local authorities. She also acts for the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA), the ombuds scheme for higher education, in judicial review challenges to OIA decision-making.
Regulatory: Natasha also acts in a number of regulatory and ombuds matters and has advised and appeared for bodies including the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, the Environment Agency, the OIA and the Charity Commission. She acted in R (Kerman) v Charity Commission [2024] EWHC 2637 (Admin) and was instructed in R (Kerman) v Charity Commission [2025] EWHC 1223 (Admin), a challenge to the legality of the Charity Commissions report into the charity, Kids’ Company, further to successfully representing the CEO in the directors disqualification proceedings pursued by the Official Receiver in Re Keeping Kids Company [2021] EWHC 175 (Ch).
National Security
Natasha acts in a broad range of public, immigration and civil damages cases raising matters related to national security. She is on the Attorney General’s Panel of Special Advocates (2025), and is familiar with Closed Material Proceedings in the High Court and SIAC.
Planning and Environment
Environment
Natasha has been instructed in a range of environmental and energy judicial reviews, regulatory matters and appeals and has particular experience in claims raising human rights grounds. She acts for individuals, NGOs and campaign groups, regulators, regulatory and monitoring bodies and Central Government Departments (including DEFRA and DEZNZ). Before joining the Bar, Natasha was the Richard Sandbrook Fellow at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), working on the REDD+ programme, and remains committed to achieving a just transition to net zero goals.
Recent work includes:
- Advising a range of clients on matters relating to renewable energy and climate change, particularly concerning retained EU law, the fulfilment of the UK’s net zero obligations post-Brexit and issues related to carbon capture.
- Acting in a claim concerning domestic renewable energy delivery, infrastructure and the duty to consult, and acted in litigation concerning subsidies for renewable energy generation to supply the national grid.
- Acting in judicial review proceedings on behalf of two environmental campaigning organisations challenging the unlawful misuse of statutory powers under the statutory compulsory purchase scheme on human rights grounds, in the context of a significant renewable energy grid connection project.
- Advising an air pollution campaign group in litigation on the human rights implications environmental health and toxicity issues.
- Acting for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), the Environmental Law Foundation and other local campaigning groups in judicial review and advisory matters concerning the conservation of open spaces (including: West Ham Park, Oakfields, Chertsey and Brentford). She is familiar with the intersecting property, planning and charity law issues often involved in such campaigns.
- Planning-related challenges concerning ecological impact and biodiversity considerations, including for the Environmental Law Foundation.
- Acting for the Environment Agency in matters related to environmental regulation and compensation: Brookhouse v EA.
- Acting in judicial review proceedings concerning animal population control and the balance between public health and conservation concerns.
Public Inquiries
Natasha has substantial experience in inquiries and inquests, acting as counsel to core participants and as leading junior inquiry counsel. Her advice is regularly sought on the design, procedure and terms of reference for non-statutory public inquiries.
Natasha has been instructed as counsel to the Iraq Fatality Investigations since 2017, leading the counsel team since 2021. She conducted the live-streamed cross examination of senior military and political witnesses in the Public Hearings for the Investigations into the deaths of Radhi Nama and Mousa Ali and for the Investigation into the death of Ahmed Jabbar Kareen Ali.
Natasha has been instructed on the following matters:
Natasha is currently instructed in the Covid-19 Inquiry on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
Environment
Natasha acts in a range of environmental and energy judicial reviews and regulatory law matters and has particular experience in matters raising human rights grounds. While her environmental law practice is particularly focused on environmental judicial review, she has experience across a range of civil and regulatory actions.
She acts for individuals, NGOs and campaign groups, regulators, regulatory and monitoring bodies and Central Government Departments (including DEFRA and DEZNZ). Before joining the Bar, Natasha was the Richard Sandbrook Fellow at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), working on the REDD+ programme, and remains committed to achieving a just transition to net zero goals.
Recent work includes:
- Advising a range of clients on matters relating to renewable energy and climate change, particularly concerning retained EU law, the fulfilment of the UK’s net zero obligations post-Brexit and issues related to carbon capture.
- Acting in a claim concerning domestic renewable energy delivery, infrastructure and the duty to consult, and acted in litigation concerning subsidies for renewable energy generation to supply the national grid.
- Acting in judicial review proceedings on behalf of two environmental campaigning organisations challenging the unlawful misuse of statutory powers under the statutory compulsory purchase scheme on human rights grounds, in the context of a significant renewable energy grid connection project.
- Advising an air pollution campaign group in litigation on the human rights implications environmental health and toxicity issues.
- Acting for the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE), the Environmental Law Foundation and other campaigning groups in judicial review and advisory matters concerning the conservation of open spaces (including: West Ham Park, Oakfields, Chertsey and Brentford). She is familiar with the intersecting property, planning and charity law issues often involved in such campaigns.
- Planning-related challenges concerning ecological impact and biodiversity considerations, including the Environmental Law Foundation.
- Acting for the Environment Agency in matters related to environmental regulation and compensation: Brookhouse v EA.
- Acting in judicial review proceedings concerning animal population control and the balance between public health and conservation concerns.
