Alasdair Henderson

Public Law

Alasdair regularly appears in judicial review proceedings on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants. He has experience in a wide variety of fields, including asylum and immigration, unlawful detention, prisons, social security, defence/national security, education and healthcare.

He was appointed to the Attorney General’s A Panel in 2024.

Listen to Alasdair discuss the M4 relief road in episode 85, human trafficking in episode 50, and unlawful detention in immigration cases in episode 14 of our podcast Law Pod UK.

Alasdair was shortlisted for Public Law Junior of the Year at the 2025 Legal 500 Bar Awards. He is also recognised as a ‘Leading Junior’ by the Legal 500 for Administrative Law & Human Rights and by Chambers & Partners for Civil Liberties & Human Rights. Recent editorial includes:

• “Alasdair Henderson is utterly dependable and not afraid to give advice, which is always spot on.” Chambers & Partners 2026
• “Alasdair is one of the finest asylum and immigration barristers at the Bar.” Chambers & Partners 2026
• “Alasdair is an outstanding immigration, asylum, public law and human rights barrister.” Chambers & Partners 2026
• “Alasdair’s written work is excellent and his advocacy is outstanding.” Chambers & Partners 2026
• “Alasdair is very proactive, very team-oriented and very thorough.” Chambers & Partners 2026
• ‘His ability to simplify the most complex cases is extraordinary. His pleadings are very thorough and persuasive and his advice is accurate and to the point. He fearlessly represents his clients and always has the best interests of his clients at heart. His written work is excellent and his advocacy is outstanding. He is very generous with his time and his commercial awareness is also very good.’ Legal 500 2026
• “Alasdair is great. He is a safe pair of hands and not afraid to give advice.” Chambers & Partners 2025
• “He has encyclopaedic knowledge of discrimination law.” Chambers & Partners 2025
• ‘Alasdair is an outstanding barrister.  His client care is second to none and his ability to simplify complex cases is remarkable.’ Legal 500 2025

Selected Cases

• O v. P [2024] EWCA Civ 1577: Appeal from family proceedings raising issues about the interaction between Gillick competence, best interests decisions and mental capacity in the context of prescription of cross-sex hormones by a private provider to a child under 16.
• MA (Iraq) v. Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] EWCA Civ 1467: Asylum appeal concerning country guidance on returns to Iraq and how the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) should approach appeals on a point of law.
• EP (Albania) v. Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] UKUT 233 (IAC): Test case concerning error of law appeals in the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) being determined during the COVID-19 pandemic without an oral hearing.
• R(Bell) v. Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust [2021] EWCA Civ 1363: Challenge to the legality of puberty blocker treatment for children with gender dysphoria.
• Asbestos Victims Support Groups’ Forum v Lord Chancellor [2020] EWHC 2108 (Admin): Challenge to the Government’s review of the impact which the LASPO has had on access to justice.
• Dulgheriu & Orthova v. Ealing LBC [2019] EWCA Civ 1490: Challenge to a public spaces protection order banning all pro-life or pro-choice activity outside an abortion clinic.