Thames Hill Solicitors
Overview
Thames Hill Solicitors is a London-based specialist firm focused on immigration, asylum, human rights, civil litigation and public law. The firm positions itself as a gateway to immigration expertise in the UK, Europe and beyond and handles both private and public-funded matters. Thames Hill is partner-led (notably partners Ahmed Sesay and Sabeella Mallik) and combines litigation and public law work with client-facing immigration and family services, including judicial review and asylum appeals.
- Headquarters: London, Shelton Street
- Partners: 2
- Offices: 2
Values & Culture
Practice Areas
- Immigration
- Family Law
- Housing & Social Housing
- Data Protection & Privacy
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation
- Public Law
Geographic Focus: Primarily UK-focused (London offices) with casework that spans Europe and cross-border immigration matters. The firm acts for individuals and organisations on immigration, asylum and public law matters with experience of appeals and judicial review in upper tribunals and higher courts.
Training Contract
Programmes & Schemes
Interactive workshops for aspiring solicitors offering CV reviews, job application advice and practical guidance in small groups (10-15 participants). The programme is aimed at those seeking training contracts, work experience or volunteering opportunities and serves as a recruitment/outreach and development channel.
- Places: 10-15
- Deadline: 2026-04-30
Notable Matters
Lead/test case on the lawfulness of returning asylum seekers to the first country where they claimed asylum and whether return was lawful where the returnee had previously experienced treatment falling short of Refugee Convention standards. Thames Hill (Ahmed Sesay) instructed in associated High Court and Court of Appeal proceedings testing the duty not to return where inhuman and degrading treatment has occurred.
Public Law
High Court proceedings concerning the Secretary of State's duty regarding returns to safe third countries where returnees had previously suffered inhuman and degrading treatment; acted in related judicial review litigation.
Public Law
Court of Appeal authority addressing appropriate costs where the Secretary of State withdrew a decision and agreed to reconsider a judicial review claim. Thames Hill involvement recorded in case highlights.
Public Law
Successful interim and judicial review challenges to incarceration/detention decisions for a foreign national offender; the Home Office settled the claim and proceedings were converted to a damages claim for false imprisonment. Thames Hill (Ahmed Sesay) led challenges and settlement negotiations.
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Upper Tribunal permission to proceed to judicially review a refusal of a fresh claim based on risk on return (Northern Nigeria). The proceedings were subsequently compromised by the Secretary of State.
Immigration
What Thames Hill Solicitors Looks For
Key Competencies
- Practical experience in Immigration and Public Law
- Self-sufficiency and ability to manage own caseload
- Advocacy and tribunal/court experience
- Compassion and empathy when dealing with vulnerable clients
- Organisation, attention to detail and ability to work under pressure
- Teamwork and collaborative approach
- Ability to develop and maintain client relationships (fee-earning/consultant roles)
Evidence Signals
- Existing client base or demonstrable ability to generate a caseload (for consultant/fee-sharing roles)
- Level 2 Senior Caseworker / Law Society IAAS Level 2 accreditation
- Experience in asylum, trafficking, human rights or judicial review work
- Experience with legal aid-funded work or familiarity with legal aid contract requirements
- Experience using Clio or other case management systems
- Multilingual ability (noted as desirable)
Benefits & Wellbeing
- Flexible working hours (consultant role)
- Profit sharing / fee-sharing opportunity for consultant solicitors
- Option to work remotely (consultant role)
- Competitive salary (roles advertised as "Competitive")
- Opportunities for early responsibility and autonomy
- Workshops and career support for aspiring solicitors (CV reviews, application advice)
Awards & Recognition
- Legal 500 – Ahmed Sesay listed as a recommended lawyer in Immigration law (2023)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
The firm states a commitment to promoting equality and diversity in its workforce and to treating all employees and applicants fairly regardless of age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, trade union membership, caregiving responsibilities or other irrelevant factors.
- Aspiring Solicitors workshops
- Equality and Diversity commitment (careers page)
Innovation
Limited public information on formal innovation programmes. The firm notes experience with case management systems (Clio) as desirable for some roles, indicating use of modern case management tools; no named innovation hub or bespoke legal tech tools are published on the site.
- Familiarity with Clio case management system (knowledge desirable)
Quick Application Angles
- Emphasise hands-on immigration and public law experience — reference direct casework (asylum, judicial review, detention challenges) and, where relevant, cite involvement in appeals or JR work similar to Thames Hill's case highlights.
- If applying for a consultant role, demonstrate an existing client base or a clear plan to develop one and mention any fee-sharing/profit-sharing experience or targets.
- Highlight relevant accreditations and qualifications: Level 2 Senior Caseworker IAAS accreditation or Law Society immigration credentials will strengthen applications for caseworker/advocate roles.
- Mention experience with case management systems (Clio) and practical courtroom/tribunal advocacy to align with the firm’s expectations for self-sufficient fee-earners.
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