Raj became a member in October 2011 upon completion of his traineeship at Matrix. He practices in the fields of general public and human rights law, including prison law, civil actions against the police, inquests, equality law, asylum and immigration, education, and local government law. He also has experience of international law work, in particular applications to the European Court of Human Rights.
During his training, Raj was supervised by Alison MacDonald, David Wolfe, Raza Husain QC, Samantha Knights and Nick Armstrong, gaining exposure to cutting edge-cases in his supervisors’ diverse fields of practice. Raj began accepting instructions in April 2011. Since then he has carried out a broad range of appearance and advisory work in his practice areas.
Raj’s clients are predominantly individuals, but he also works for NGOs and public authorities. Raj believes in the importance of high quality representation and advice for all regardless of their means, and is pleased to accept instructions from legally aided clients. Where funding is not available, he will accept instructions on a pro bono basis if he is able to do so.
Before joining the Bar, Raj qualified as a solicitor at Sharpe Pritchard solicitors, a leading public law practice. He subsequently worked as judicial assistant to Lord Judge CJ and Lord Justice Carnwath at the Court of Appeal. He has also worked for the Human Rights Department of the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office in Melbourne, Australia, advising on the application of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. He was previously a pro bono legal advisor at Waterloo Legal Advice Service.
Raj holds a first class undergraduate law degree and postgraduate law degree from Oxford University. He has been involved in academic research projects with Oxford University Law Faculty members for the UK Ministry of Justice and for the European Parliament on human rights-related issues, and is a contributing author to the forthcoming edition of Criminal Justice and Human Rights (Sweet & Maxwell). Raj also teaches tutorials in European human rights law at Oxford University.