David Ball

Practice Areas

David specialises in extradition, immigration and public law. He has particular expertise in human rights work, and has been successful in a landmark case before the European Court of Human Rights (Unuane v UK).

Before coming to the Bar David worked at Liberty in test cases pending variously before the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice. He also worked at the Immigration Advisory Service, working directly with unaccompanied minors and victims of torture.

David is an extradition specialist barrister, acting on behalf of both individuals and judicial authorities at all levels. He is regularly instructed in complex Part 1 and Part 2 matters under the Extradition Act 2003. He has a thorough understanding of international mutual legal assistance having for a number of years advised the Serious Fraud Office in a high profile investigation into multi-million dollar international corporate corruption. Before coming to the Bar David worked for Linklaters and has a strong background in international commercial litigation. He is a contributor to the leading text book on Criminal Judicial Review.

David is an experienced immigration practitioner. He is Trustee of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association. He regularly appears before the First Tier, Upper Tier, High Court and Court of Appeal. He has particular experience in judicial review matters whether before the Upper Tier or High Court. He has appeared in landmark litigation including before the President of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber on the procedure for immigration judicial reviews, and before the Court of Appeal in a challenge to the legality of the immigration rules.

Career

Called 2008 Middle Temple. Trained at Linklaters, qualified as a solicitor 2006. Commenced pupillage at 36 Bedford Row in 2008; successfully completed pupillage and became tenant in 2009.

Professional Memberships

Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association

Defence Extradition Lawyers’ Forum

Human Rights Lawyers’ Association

Publications

David is a contributor to the leading text book on Criminal Judicial Review.

Personal

David achieved the highest LLM Distinction in the University of London for his Masters in Human Rights Law at University College London. David has a First Class degree from Durham in English Literature.

Work Highlights

Unuane v UK (2021) 72 EHRR 24

Successful Article 8 appeal in context of deportation, described on Free Movement as a “slobber knocker” of a case.

Killoran v Belgium [2021] EWHC 2290 (Admin)

Application of principles of s12A and issue of whether there has been a decision to charge or try on context of Belgian criminal proceedings

Bernotas v Lithuania [2021] EWHC 1410 (Admin)

Challenge to nature of assurances on Lithuanian prison conditions

Pun v SSHD 2019 (HU/12495/2015)

Decision before Vice President Ockleton allowing Article 8 appeal for adult dependents of Gurkha veteran

KA (Afghanistan) v SSHD [2017]

Led by Richard Drabble QC in appeal conceded by Respondent day before substantive hearing

Industry Sector Expertise

David specialises in immigration, extradition and human rights work. He is an experienced advocate, successful before the European Court of Human Rights and courts and tribunals at every level.