Keivon Sotoodeh BL

Keivon (Pronounced as Kay-von) has a varied practice and appears regularly for Applicants in the High Court with a particular emphasis on Judicial Review involving Immigration, Asylum and Citizenship issues. As well as habeas corpus proceedings. Keivon was awarded a bursary from the Immigration, Asylum and Citizenship Bar Association (IACBA) to study the Advanced Diploma in Immigration and Asylum in the Honorable Society of the Kings Inns. Keivon practises in both Civil and Crime, appearing before the Circuit Criminal Court and Central Criminal Court, which provides a strong base for a wide array of Judicial Review. Keivon is half Irish and half Persian and his linguistic and cultural background has allowed him to deliver legal services in an approachable and reassuring way, particularly for Middle Eastern clients.

In addition, Keivon has an extensive background in Insurance Litigation with a particular focus on Tort & Personal Injury Law prior to being called to the Bar in Ireland. Keivon previously worked in a leading Defence Firm as a Senior Legal Executive, where he dealt with Employer and Public Liability Personal Injury cases, defending claims for both Insurers and Self-Insured clients. He has advised both UK and Domestic Insurers on Liability and Quantum. As well as on Professional Negligence and Construction files.

Judicial Review

M.H. v. Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Ireland & the Attorney General (Irish Times, 14^th January 2025) unled Junior Counsel for Palestinian asylum seeker left homeless for 10 months Palestinian asylum seeker, compelling compliance with the EU (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, granted leave during emergency sitting in the vacation period. This matter was heard before Heslin J.

A.B.H.S v. Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Ireland & the Attorney General, [2024/691 JR] (Irish Times, 26^thJuly 2024), Hyland J, unled Junior Counsel for the Palestinian asylum seeker, compelling compliance with the EU (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018. This case was heard before Hyland J. The case settled post leave.

Latif v. Minister for Justice [2023/261 JR], Unreported, Ex Tempore, Hyland J delivered on 26^th July 2024, unled Junior Counsel until substantive JR trial stage represented the Applicant in this judicial review concerning the retention of a residence card under the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2015. The Minister withdrew her decision during the proceedings, rendering the matter moot. However, the Minister attempted to argue substantive issues instead of mootness. The applicant successfully argued that costs should follow the event, and the High Court awarded her costs.

Criminal

DPP v. Jelveh et al (the Special Criminal Court)(Irish Times, 13^th January 2025), Representing the Captain of the MV Matthew in this high-profile Special Criminal Court case involving eight men accused in relation to a €157 million cocaine haul. The largest drug seizure in the history of the state. In the course of a Section 4(e) application, Arguments were made by the Defence that the United Nations on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 was never transposed into Irish law and as such the concept of ‘Hot Pursuit’ does not form part of Irish Law. Greally J on 30th January 2025 held inter alia that the ‘right of hot pursuit on the high seas are ancient and accepted practices and as such forms part customary international law which predate the enactment of the Irish Constitution’. 

DPP v. D.H Central Criminal Court, (unreported, 12th July 2024, Biggs J.) Preliminary hearing – successfully challenged the admissibility of a vulnerable accused’s interview, where there was a breach of reasonable access to a solicitor.

Article 40 Proceedings 

A .v. Governor of Wheatfield Prison 2024/1698 SS, (Unreported, Gearty J, 14th November 2024) Unled Junior Counsel, the Applicant was charged with offences relating to Section 11 and 12 of the Immigration Act 2004 (as amended), the Applicant was remanded in Cloverhill. Article 40 proceedings were initiated and arguments were made in respect of Article 31 of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 28 July 1951 (‘the Geneva Convention‘). The Court ordered that the Applicant be released on bail at the conclusion of the hearing. The DPP ultimately withdrew the charges relating to the Applicant and the proceedings were rendered moot.

Third-party cover: under the Consumer Insurance Contracts Act 2019, third parties can now pursue insurers directly where no privity of contract exists (2021 – Vol 26 Issue 2) The Bar Review

Domicile in the context of applications for retention of a ‘residence card’, pursuant to Directive 2004/38 EC – CPD to Irish Immigration Lawyers Association (‘IILA’) – 19th April 2024 – (slides available on request).

Committee Member of the Immigration, Asylum, Citizenship Bar Association (‘IACBA’)