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The new standard of proof in asylum claims: a major step backwards for LGBTQI+ asylum seekers
Oliver Oldman
Oliver is a senior associate in the Immigration Team and International Protection Group. He has been practising immigration law since 2012, with a particular focus on asylum, human rights, detention and deportation matters. He has extensive experience of preparing complex asylum claims, representing clients in their appeals at all levels and in the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, and bringing judicial review challenges against Home Office decisions all the way up to the Supreme Court.
In collaboration with other members of Kingsley Napley’s International Protection Group, Oliver advises clients who are defending extradition requests and challenging Interpol Red Notices in relation to their asylum claims and related immigration issues. These clients are often high profile and high net worth individuals whose cases require the utmost sensitivity.
Oliver regularly acts for clients in relation to complex asylum and human rights claims and appeals. These claims often involve politically motivated prosecutions, abuse of process and state corruption. Oliver routinely advises on issues including admissibility, multiple nationalities and exclusion.
A core part of Oliver’s practice concerns the interface between immigration and criminal law. He has significant expertise in advising on and challenging deportation decisions, criminality-based refusals and cancellation decisions; and has prepared numerous successful immigration bail applications.
Oliver has several years’ experience of bringing judicial review claims before the Upper Tribunal and High Court. These claims have covered the full spectrum of immigration and asylum decision-making, included challenges to certification, delay, and Part 9 refusals. Oliver’s practice also includes bringing challenges before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (“SIAC”). Oliver has brought a number of false imprisonment claims in the high Court and County Court in relation to clients detained under immigration powers.
Oliver also has a general private client immigration practice which includes preparing family and private life applications under the Immigration Rules; human rights applications outside the Immigration Rules; applications under the EU Settlement Scheme; and naturalisation and registration applications.
Oliver is ranked as a Leading Associate in The Legal 500 for Immigration Personal and Immigration Human Rights. He is also listed as an Associate to watch in Chambers and Partners for Immigration Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation. Oliver is listed in the Pro Bono Recognition List 2025.
RECENT WORK
- Representing a Chinese national in relation to his successful appeal against the refusal of his asylum claim on political grounds.
- Representing a Russian national facing politically motivated criminal proceedings in their successful asylum claim on political grounds.
- Advising a Russian national facing an extradition request and Red Notice in relation to their asylum claim
- Bringing a judicial review challenge to the lawfulness of para 9.4.1 of the Immigration Rules
- Advising a Russian national facing a politically motivated prosecution in relation to the impact of their second EU nationality on their asylum claim
- Acting pro bono for a female Afghan judge and her son in relation to applications for leave to enter the UK outside the Immigration Rules
- Acting for a Saudi national in her successful asylum claim brought on political grounds and membership of a particular social group.
- Acting for an Indian national in his successful asylum appeal brought on sexuality grounds, following a fresh claim.
- Acting for an Afghan national in his successful asylum appeal brought on political grounds, following the Home Office’s decision to exclude him from the protection of the Refugee Convention.
- Acting for an Albanian family in their successful asylum appeal following a challenge to the decision to certify the initial claim as clearly unfounded.
- Acting for a DRC national in his successful appeal against deportation on human rights grounds.
- Securing leave to remain for the parent of a British citizen under Appendix FM under the 10-year route.
- Preparing successful discretionary registration applications for minor siblings in local authority care.
- Acting for a Somali national in his successful application for immigration bail and securing an injunction barring deportation.
WHAT CLIENTS AND DIRECTORIES HAVE SAID
“I would like to express my gratitude once again. You have not only helped me with the highest professional standards, but more importantly, you have consistently shown concern for my situation.”
Client, 2025
I cannot express enough gratitude for the exceptional legal representation provided by Oliver Oldman."
Chambers and Partners, 2025
Oliver is hugely knowledgeable and astute."
Chambers and Partners, 2025
Oliver worked endlessly on our case."
Chambers and Partners, 2025
Oliver Oldman is relatively new to the field but a real rising star. Once more, in line with the firm's approach he goes over and above the norm for his clients.'
Legal 500, 2025
Katie Newbury, Nicolas Rollason and Oliver Oldman have huge depth of knowledge and provide a fantastic service to clients.’
Legal 500, 2025
Oliver Oldman is real rising star, working on very complex deportation cases involving the overlap between mental ill-health and criminality. Immensely hard-working and committed to his clients."
Legal 500 UK, 2021
A huge amount of thanks is due to you; you did an absolutely excellent job in difficult circumstances."
Client, 2021
Words certainly cannot quantify how grateful we are towards your great help…We are truly grateful for the time and efforts you dedicated to our case."
Client, 2021
Publications, Press highlights and speaking engagements
- Oliver Oldman was mentioned by several publications in August 2022 for acting in the case of a female Afghan judge appealing against a Home Office decision. These include:
PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES AND MEMBERSHIPS
FURTHER INFORMATION
Oliver completed his undergraduate legal studies at University College London in 2010, before obtaining a Master of Laws in Public International Law, also at UCL. Before starting legal practice, he was a Legal Consultant at the International Bar Association. Oliver completed his legal training at Bindmans LLP, where he then practised for 4 years before joining Kingsley Napley.
