Alex Goodman

Date of call: 2003

Alex has a broad public law practice encompassing immigration and asylum law; planning and environmental law and local government law.

Immigration Law
Alex regularly undertakes judicial review and appellate work in all areas of immigration and asylum law.

Alex has recently been involved in a number of important cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal on behalf of detained asylum seekers including SK (Zimbabwe) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWCA (Civ) 1204 (concerning the Secretary of State’s failure to undertake ongoing reviews of detention). He acted for Mr. Lumba in the case of R (otao Walumba Lumba) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWHC 2090 (Admin) and in the subsequent significant case R (otao Abdi and Others v Secretary of State for the Home Department ) [2008] EWHC 3166 (Admin) in which the Home Office policy presumption in favour of detaining foreign nationals at the expiry of their prison sentences was declared unlawful.

Alex acted for the Claimants in A & Others v SSHD [2008] EWHC 142 (Admin) and in R (otao M) v SSHD CO/11763/2008 concerning the legality of the detention of four Claimants where there was no reasonable prospect of removal to Algeria. In PB (Cameroon) v SSHD [2008] EWHC 364 (Admin) detention of a potential torture victim for six months was declared unlawful on account of breaches of the detention centre rules and a failure to refer the Claimant to the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture for assessment. The Secretary of State’s decision on PB’s fresh claim was also quashed. In a subsequent decision reported at [2008] EWHC 3189 (Admin) the Claimant was awarded basic and aggravated damages amounting to £38,000.

In another recent case, R (otao Natasha Ngirincuti) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2008] EWHC 1952 (Admin), Alex acted for the Claimant whose application for an order quashing the Secretary of State’s decision on a fresh claim was granted.

Planning Law
Alex regularly appears for local authorities, developers and third parties at planning inquiries and has expertise in a range of areas including green belt developments, listed buildings and conservation areas, village greens and gypsy sites. Alex is recommended as a leading junior in planning law by the current edition of The Legal 500.

Alex frequently acts in planning-related judicial reviews and statutory challenges. Recent cases include Fuller v SSCLG [2008] EWHC 3357 (Admin) in which the High Court quashed a planning Inspector’s decision made in breach of the requirements of natural justice. He was led by Richard Drabble QC in a section 288 High Court challenge to the decision to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of Lots Road (River Thames Society v First Secretary of State [2006] EWHC 2829 (substitution of Claimant) and Berkeley v First Secretary of State [2007] EWHC 670 (Admin)). He acted for the Kings Cross Railway Lands Group in opposition to proposals for one of the largest developments in Europe on a site at Kings Cross in London and was led by John Hobson Q.C. in a subsequent High Court challenge, King's Cross Railway Lands Group v London Borough of Camden [2007] EWHC 1515 (Admin).

Alex regularly appears for local authorities, developers and third parties at planning inquiries and has expertise in a range of areas including green belt developments, listed buildings and conservation areas, village greens and gypsy sites. Alex is recommended as a leading junior in planning law by the current edition of The Legal 500. Alex has recently been ranked as one of the highest rated planning barristers under 35 in Planning magazine

Local Government Law
Alex has a broad local government practice. He advises and acts on matters including nuisance, anti-social behaviour, housing, mental health and community care work. Alex recently acted for Westminster City Council, securing an injunction preventing the commencement of new housing benefit rules. Alex has acted in a number of footpath inquiries and in a recent High Court challenge to the registration of a restricted byway, Parker & Ors v Nottinghamshire County Council & Anor [2009] EWHC 229 (Admin).

Alex is accredited for Public Access so that he can be instructed by anybody directly without a solicitor (though not in immigration matters), and enquires about this are welcomed.

Alex is a councillor sitting on London Borough of Camden Council and Chairman of Medical Justice, an organisation concerned with the welfare of detained asylum seekers.

AFFILIATIONS
Environmental Law Foundation
PEBA

EDUCATION
Inns of Court School of Law
July 2003: Bar Vocational Course, Very Competent.

City University
July 2002: Diploma in Law, Commendation

Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford University
Oct 1997-July 2000: English Literature M.A. First

SCHOLARSHIPS
Lincoln’s Inn Scholarships
Hardwicke Entrance Scholarship
Lord Denning Scholarship
Megarry Scholarship.

DIRECTORY ENTRIES
Chambers & Partners 2010
Recommended junior in Immigration : " A true expert on immigration detention " [he has] proven himself to be "more than capable of holding his own against far more senior counsel in the High Court "

Legal 500, 2009
Recommended junior in Planning Law: "enthusiastic, thorough and works well with clients" (2008)

Legal Experts, 2010:
Recommended expert in Planning Law.

CLERKS EMAIL
Daniel Perry & Anthony King