Dr S Chelvan, 33 Bedford Row Chambers’ Head of Immigration, Public Law & Civil Liberties is to be a Visiting Adjunct Professor at Southampton University  for a further three years. 

The status of Adjunct Professor, equivalent to that of a professor, is conferred upon eminent leaders in business and industry who collaborate with the University staff on research and/or teaching programmes to produce measurable results. There is no automatic renewal, and justification needs to be provided in the event of an extension.  

As a former Southampton graduate (BSc Politics and Law “98), Chelvan joined the Law School’s Research Centre for  International Law and Globalisation on 1 September 2022 with an initial three year term, extended a further year last year, and now extended a further three years to 31 July 2029. He views his appointment as an opportunity to give back to his alma mater by sharing with students the realities of practice at the Bar through the lens of cases helping to shape refugee protection law both in the UK, and internationally. With some cases,   students have the benefit of their analysis of judgments and determinations prior to the case being reported in the media, enabling a  unique perspective on contemporary refugee and immigration law.

During his tenure Chelvan has contributed to teaching on the “Contemporary Issues in Refugee Law” and the “International Law, the Individual and Globalisation “ LL.M seminars. He gave the inaugural lecture to launch the Research Centre in April 2023, and this year taught the Mooting Masterclass to First year undergraduate students. 

Commenting on Chelvan’s appointment, Professor Werner Scholtz, Head of Southampton Law School, said, “We are honoured to continue our association with Dr Chelvan. His stellar contributions to legal policy and practice, as well as unwavering commitment to social justice, remain invaluable for our community. We look forward to continuing to work with him in the years ahead”.