Shaheen Rahman KC

Human Rights

Shaheen has appeared in a number of significant human rights challenges in the context of her prisoner rights and Special Advocate work. She also acts in HRA claims arising from deaths in custody and detention.

“What stands out about Shaheen is her incredible thoroughness as an advocate.” “An intelligent and detailed practitioner who provides very helpful advice.” (Chambers & Partners 2023)

“She is incredibly experienced, always a step ahead.” (Legal 500 2022)

“Shaheen Rahman KC is an extremely experienced special advocate. She is very skilled in national security cases.” “She is very responsive, which is very helpful, and she also understands national security issues.” (Chambers & Partners 2022)

“She has a lot of tactical skill and strategic ability, achieving very beneficial outcomes for her clients.” (Chambers & Partners 2021)

“Persuasive and fearless advocate. The fact that her work straddles both public and private law means that she is able to advise on the best approach for the client when faced with a particular issue.” (Legal 500 2021)

“Hugely confident, very strategic, inspiring and extremely good with clients.” “A terrific advocate.” (Chambers & Partners 2020)

“Produces an impressive quality of work and is an absolute pleasure to work with.” (Legal 500 2019)

“Shaheen is incredibly thorough and rigorous.” “She really inspires confidence in clients in the most difficult of circumstances.” (Chambers & Partners 2019)

“Clear and concise in advice. Judicial review is clearly an area of knowledge and expertise.” (Legal 500 2018)

“Shaheen is incredibly thorough and rigorous.” “She really inspires confidence in clients in the most difficult of circumstances.” (Chambers & Partners 2018)

“She was really impressive on her feet.” (Chambers & Partners 2017)

“A strong human rights advocate with specific specialist knowledge of prisoners’ rights, specifically in relation to their right to religious freedom and healthcare. She is often instructed as a Special Advocate in highly complex and confidential cases.” (Chambers & Partners 2016)

“She is incredibly efficient and a fighter – when the chips are down she really sticks up for her client.” (Chambers & Partners 2015)

“Incredibly hardworking and a real asset in any case.” (Legal 500 2014)

Selected Cases

• JJ [2023]: Lead Special Advocate in ongoing civil damages case with allegations of torture.
• AZ [2023]: Lead Special Advocate in ARAP case where challenge succeeded.
• E10 [2023]: Lead Special Advocate in ongoing SIAC deprivation case.
• AH v A Health Trust & MOJ [2023]: For Claimant in ongoing claim under HRA and EQA regarding food provision during Ramadan.
• QX v SSHD [2023] EWHC 1221 (Admin): Special Advocate in ongoing challenge to reporting obligations under a temporary exclusion order.
• Z3 v SSHD [2023]: Special Advocate in ongoing SIAC case and JR concerning deprivation of citizenship, bail and habeas corpus.
• C8 [2022]: SIAC deprivation case linked to Begum.
• C6 [2021]: First example of strike out of SSHD’s case in SIAC due to non-compliance.
• TB v A Heath Trust [2020]: For the Claimant in an HRA claim arising from an Article 2 inquest, successfully settled.
• H v SSHD [2019]: For prisoner alleging discrimination in arrangements made for Muslim prisoners during Ramadan, case settled.
• AA v MOJ [2019]: For prisoner alleging discrimination in the arrangements made for Muslim prisoners, in particular during Ramadan, case settled.
• Rahmatullah & Ali v MOD &Ors [2019] EWHC 3849 (QB): Special advocate in civil claim alleging mistreatment and unlawful transfer to US custody by UK state.
• Belhaj & Boudchar v Jack Straw & Others [2017] EWHC 1861: Special Advocate in settled claim alleging complicity in extraordinary rendition and torture.
• DO v An NHSFT [2015]: Acting for the mother of a woman discharged from mental health services who took her own life and that of her young son. HRA claim settled.
• R (Serdar Mohammed) v MOD [2014] 1 WLR 1071: Special Advocate in proceedings seeking extended moratorium on transfer of UK detainees to Afghan authorities in view of risk of torture.
• AP v An NHSFT [2014]: For family of a patient who took his own life in a mental health unit. HRA and estate claim settled.
• BP v An NHSFT [2012]: For the partner of a woman who absconded from an acute mental health unit and took her own life. HRA, estate and dependency claims settled.
• R (Hussain) v MOJ [2013] EWHC 4706: For Muslim prisoner in human rights challenge to decision to provide methadone outside daylight hours during Ramadan. Case settled following grant of permission.
• AT v SSHD [2012] EWCA Civ 42: Special Advocate in Control Order case remitted due to insufficient disclosure under Article 6.
• AM v SSHD [2011] EWCA Civ 710: Special Advocate in long running Control Order case involving consideration of standard of disclosure and what constitutes fresh TRA.
• R (Bhutta) v HM Treasury [2011] EWHC 1789: Special Advocate in Asset Freeze case with consideration of standard of disclosure.
• SSHD v AF, AM, AN &AE [2009] 2 WLR: Special Advocate in Control Order case where the Court of Appeal considered whether a minimum level of disclosure was required.
• R (Ullah) v Special Adjudicator [2004] UKHL 26: For Intervener, Justice, in case concerning extraterritorial effect of Convention rights.