HCLC News

Hackney Community Law Centre is delighted that Declan O'Callaghan, a HCLC patron since 2013, has been appointed a judge of the first tier asylum and immigration tribunal sitting at Taylor House, London.

Declan with former HCLC client Kusi, former HCLC immigration caseworker

Hilton von Herbert and Declan's wife Jacqueline at HCLC's 2012 summer reception in the House of Lords

Prior to his appointment as a judge, Declan was an immigration barrister for over 20 years. He began his career at 10KBW Chambers and more recently practised at Landmark Chambers.

Declan training HCLC lawyers, interns and volunteers in 2015

Declan has been an active and enthusiastic HCLC patron, providing training on immigration and asylum law for HCLC lawyers, interns and volunteers and mentoring aspiring barristers from the HCLC team.  Now a judge, Declan is no longer able to serve as a HCLC patron. Though we are sad he is stepping down, we are equally proud of his fantastic achievement.

HCLC manager Sean Canning said: "HCLC congratulates Declan O’Callaghan on his successful appointment as Tribunal Judge. Declan’s support and commitment to the Law Centre and publicly funded legal work has been invaluable in recent years at a time when legal aid cuts have convulsed advice services and impacted severly on the most vulnerable. We wish him the very best in his new role. He will be an excellent judge".