Amanda is a specialist in immigration and public law. She has advised and appeared in numerous immigration matters in the Court of Appeal, and in the Administrative Court on appeals, judicial review and injunctions. Amanda is instructed in asylum cases and also deals with entry clearance work, including the points-based system, visitors, and family reunion, deportation appeals in relation to criminal convictions or alleged terrorist connections, and cases in which a threat to national security is alleged.

Amanda describes the "non-conducive grounds" for refusal under the UK Immigration Rules, referring to situations where an individual’s presence in the UK is deemed not conducive to the public good. She outlines the decision-making process and Criminality Grounds in the Immigration Rules.

Key words/topics

Non-conducive grounds

Public interest/good

Suitability requirements

Part 9 of the Immigration Rules

The Home Office Guidance on Suitability: Non-Conducive Grounds January 2024

Broad discretion

Burden/standard of proof

Appendix FM, Appendix Ukraine Scheme, and Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) applications

Balajigari v SSHD [2019] EWCA Civ 673

Criminality Grounds in the Immigration Rules

Human rights

Flora is known for her unique work on the Post Office appeals and the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry. Flora is presenting from the position of Junior Counsel in what is said to be the most significant miscarriage of justice today, providing key take away lessons for criminal lawyers. She begins by outlining how to determine who has the burden of proof, before moving on to discuss key considerations when advising on a plea. She refers to excerpts from the The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry to demonstrate this.

Key words/topics

Post Office appeals

The Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry

The burden of proof

Credit for a guilty plea

Advising on a plea

Affront to the public conscience

A fair trial

Malicious prosecution