Within her areas of practice her work includes refugee and human rights claims, trafficking and modern slavery claims, family and private life claims, deportations, bails, European applications, entry clearance matters, business immigration, interim relief applications, unlawful detention claims (judicial review and civil claims), civil penalties for illegal workers, asylum support and unaccompanied and age-disputed migrant children.

She has been involved in several notable cases including QH v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2020] EWHC 2691 (Admin), Secretary of State for the Home Department v Said & Ors [2018] EWCA Civ 627,  AM (Iran) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2018] EWCA Civ 2706.

She has a particular interest in and experience of cases involving domestic violence, mental health issues and vulnerable clients. She provides regular training for ILPA on these topics. She is also the Chair of Trustees at Maa Shanti which is an organisation that supports South Asian single mothers/victims of domestic violence.

Priya regularly provides training on the intersection between family and immigration law. She is regularly instructed to provide expert advice on immigration issues in family proceedings. Her extensive experience of claims involving children and complex legal issues makes her a popular choice for expert opinions.

Priya is very committed to pro-bono work and this is detailed further below.

Publications

‘A Practical Guide to Challenging Sham Marriage Allegations in Immigration Law’ Law Brief Publishing – https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-practical-guide-to-challenging-sham-marriage-allegations-in-immigration-law/priya-solanki/9781912687930

Detaining Torture Survivors: A Practical and Legal Analysis  Birkbeck Law Review Volume 3(2) Migration Borders and Violence 2 December 2015 – http://www.bbklr.org/3-2-8.html

Training/Seminars

Priya is often asked to provide in-house training and is happy to do this. She has delivered seminars on a wide range of topics within all areas of immigration and asylum. Priya also provide seminars for the The Solicitors Group, ILPA, MBL, Data Law regularly.

Pro-Bono Work

Priya is the Chair of Trustees at Maa Shanti.

Priya has often provided pro bono advice through legal advice surgeries at other organisations.

She regularly represents clients at bail hearings for Bail for Immigration Detainees and provides them with advice on potential unlawful detention claims.

She further regularly represents and advises clients via the Bar Pro Bono Unit. She is happy to take on cases on a pro-bono basis where this is appropriate.

Career History

Before coming to the Bar Priya was employed at solicitors firms and legal charities.

She was an Asylum and Immigration Supervisor and In-house Advocate at Broudie Jackson & Canter. She also worked as a Senior Caseworker at Refugee & Migrant Justice (formerly the Refugee Legal Centre). In both of these roles she specialised in female asylum and immigration cases and advocated in Tribunals frequently.

She has also worked as an Accredited Mediator.

Priya previously taught law as a Criminal Law Tutor at the University of Liverpool.