Introduction

Stephen has a wide range of experience in administrative and public law, with particular expertise across the following fields: immigration, human rights and civil liberties, public inquiries, inquests and regulatory law. Stephen is a member of the Attorney General’s C Panel. He is equally experienced acting for and against public bodies, and has represented individuals, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government departments and other public authorities, including local authorities.

Some recent notable cases include:

·      R (on the application of NXP and NAN) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] UKUT 00192: Stephen appeared for the SSHD in this reported Upper Tribunal decision addressing two issues of general importance arising from challenges to age assessments conducted under the National Age Assessment Board. The Tribunal determined that challenges to age assessment decisions made by a "designated person" under sections 50 and 51 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 must be brought in the Upper Tribunal rather than the Administrative Court, and that the appropriate respondent to any such challenge is the Secretary of State rather than NAAB or any alternative nomenclature. Judgment here.

·      R (on the application of Ivan Catley) v Secretary of State for Justice [2025] EWHC 1507 (Admin): Stephen acted for the Claimant in this judicial review challenging the Secretary of State for Justice's decision to reject a Parole Board recommendation that the Claimant be transferred to open conditions. The court considered the adequacy of the reasoning given for that decision and whether it met the standard of rationality required of a public authority exercising powers over a prisoner's liberty. Judgment here.

·      R (on the application of Maha Zahid) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] JR-2025-LON-001902: Stephen appeared for the Secretary of State in this judicial review before the Upper Tribunal concerning the operation of section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 in the context of fee waiver applications. The Tribunal dismissed the claim on all grounds, accepting the SSHD’s submissions that the temporary protection afforded by a fee waiver request is nullified where an applicant subsequently makes a paid application under a different route, and that the SSHD’s fee waiver guidance was neither misleading nor unlawful. Judgment here.

Stephen is also developing a specialism in cases involving national security. He has recently been instructed in a case before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal which raises issues as to the Secretary of State’s powers to make Technical Capability Notices under the Investigatory Powers Act 2016. Stephen has also been instructed in litigation relating to TPIMs and claims for damages in connection with alleged torture.

Stephen has wide-ranging inquiry experience. He is currently instructed on the Omagh Bombing Inquiry and the Independent Inquiry Relating to Afghanistan.

Public

Stephen’s public law practice primarily straddles immigration and asylum, unlawful detention and prison law. He is regularly instructed in complex judicial review claims at all levels.

Immigration, Asylum and Unlawful Detention

Stephen acts in all areas of immigration and asylum. He appears regularly in appeals before the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal on matters relating to: deportation; asylum; and human rights (articles 3 and 8 ECHR).  Stephen regularly appears in the Upper Tribunal in judicial review challenges to decisions relating to certification, fresh claims and trafficking.

A significant part of Stephen’s practice lies at the intersection of immigration and asylum and public law. Stephen regularly acts in judicial review challenges to age assessment disputes and judicial review claims concerning asylum accommodation and support. Stephen has extensive experience appearing in interim relief hearings on these matters.

Stephen is also experienced in unlawful detention claims, particularly claims relating to vulnerable individuals that engage the Adult at Risk policy. He has drafted pleadings in these matters and appeared in the County Court for hearings relating to false imprisonment claims (on transfer from the High Court).

Some of Stephen’s recent cases include:

• R (on the application of NXP and NAN) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] UKUT 00192: Stephen appeared for the SSHD in this reported Upper Tribunal decision addressing two issues of general importance arising from challenges to age assessments conducted under the National Age Assessment Board. The Tribunal determined that challenges to age assessment decisions made by a "designated person" under sections 50 and 51 of the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 must be brought in the Upper Tribunal rather than the Administrative Court, and that the appropriate respondent to any such challenge is the Secretary of State rather than NAAB or any alternative nomenclature.
• R (on the application of Maha Zahid) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] JR-2025-LON-001902: Stephen appeared for the Secretary of State in this judicial review before the Upper Tribunal concerning the operation of section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971 in the context of fee waiver applications. The Tribunal dismissed the claim on all grounds, accepting the SSHD’s submissions that the temporary protection afforded by a fee waiver request is nullified where an applicant subsequently makes a paid application under a different route, and that the SSHD’s fee waiver guidance was neither misleading nor unlawful.

Prison Law

Stephen regularly appears on behalf of Claimants in prison law challenges in the High Court against the Parole Board and/or Secretary of State for Justice. His prison law practice includes challenges to categorisation and refusals to grant oral hearings. Stephen has also represented Claimants in the County Court in Equality Act and/or human rights challenges against the prison service.

Notable cases include:

• Ahmad Shah, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Justice [2024] EWHC 682 (Admin): challenging the Secretary of State for Justice’s decision to conclude a Category A review without conducting an oral hearing, on the basis that the decision did not comply with published policy and was procedurally unfair.
• Ivan Catley, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Justice [2025] EWHC 1507 (Admin): challenging the Secretary of State for Justice’s rejection of the Parole Board’s recommendation that the Claimant should be transferred to an open prison on the basis that the decision was inadequately reasoned and irrational.

Inquests and Inquires

Inquiries

Stephen has substantial experience in high-profile public inquiries and has experience working on behalf of inquiry legal teams and core participants. Stephen is currently instructed on the Independent Inquiry into Afghanistan on behalf of the Royal Military Police.

He was previously instructed as Junior Counsel for the Department of Health and Social Care on the Infected Blood Inquiry. He was also instructed as junior counsel for the Inquiry Legal Team on the Post Office Horizon Inquiry.

Inquests

Stephen is regularly instructed in many healthcare-related inquests. He regularly acts on behalf of bereaved families, various healthcare organisations, and individual healthcare professionals.

Stephen often has to deal with challenging issues for his clients, including potential neglect, serious systemic shortcomings, and complex medical matters. He regularly questions senior clinicians and expert witnesses in a wide variety of fields, including psychiatry, cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, respiratory medicine, intensive care, obstetrics, paediatrics, and emergency medicine. A number of Stephen’s cases have been multi-week involving healthcare delivered in prisons. Stephen has considerable experience in cases involving suicide.

Sports

Stephen has a developing practice in sports law, with experience acting for athletes, coaches and football agents in regulatory proceedings. He has represented clients in matters involving doping allegations and disciplinary and misconduct proceedings. Stephen is experienced in the procedural and substantive challenges that arise in sports regulatory proceedings, including issues of proportionality, natural justice and the application of strict liability principles.

Stephen also advises football agents and players on commercial matters, including contract negotiations and disputes with clubs. He is familiar with the regulatory framework governing football agents, including the obligations arising under FA Agency Regulations.

Regulatory

Stephen has an interest in all matters relating to regulatory and disciplinary law. Stephen acts for both regulatory bodies and regulated professionals.

Stephen continues to be instructed by numerous regulators, including the Health and Care Professions Council (‘HCPC’), the Nursing and Midwifery Council (‘NMC’) and General Pharmaceutical Council (‘GPC’). Stephen has extensive experience of interim order hearings, review hearings, and multi-day substantive hearings. Stephen also has experience in the handling of vulnerable witnesses.

Stephen’s recent cases include:

• Acting for a healthcare professional in claim for Judicial Review against her regulator.
• Acting for a regulator whose member is designated under UK sanctions.
• Acting for a regulator in allegations of sexual misconduct against the registrant’s biological daughter.
• Acting for a regulator in allegations of racial misconduct against the registrant

Qualifications

(2020) LLM, University College London

(2014) Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), City University Law School

(2013) LLB Law

GDPR Notice

Stephen Tawiah is a self-employed barrister in independent practice. During the course of providing legal services as a barrister, Stephen collects and uses personal information.  He is the data controller in respect of this information for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation ('GDPR').

33 Bedford Row is separate and has its own Data Protection Act 2018/GDPR 'Privacy Policy and Data Protection Statement', in respect to personal information collected, used and stored by or related to it. This covers personal information arising from, or related to, 33 Bedford Row providing services as a barristers chambers, as well as use of its website. This 'Privacy Policy and Data Protection Statement' sets out what information they obtain about you, why and how they use it.  This policy also sets out your rights.

You can view 33 Bedford Row's 'Privacy Policy and Data Protection Statement' on 33 Bedford Row's website. Hard copies are available on request by contacting chambers directly.

Transparency Notice

Stephen Tawiah’s entry on the Barristers' Register can be viewed by clicking the link here.

The Legal Ombudsman's decision data website can be found here, and the Bar Standards Board who regulate Stephen have their website here.

Stephen can be instructed via his clerks at 33 Bedford Row by professional, licensed access and/or lay clients, in order to obtain a quotation for legal services.  His clerks' contact details are at the bottom right of this webpage (please click on the image) and/or via clerks@33bedfordrow.co.uk or 0207 242 6476.

Stephen accepts, where appropriate, publicly funded work, Conditional Fee Agreements (including Partial CFAs).

Stephen’s most commonly used pricing models for privately funded work, are:

(a) for specific drafting work - a fixed fee;

(b)  for specific hearings – a fixed fee;

(c) for other work - hourly rates.

Stephen’s fees are based on an hourly rate of £150-£250 plus VAT per hour.  This is indicative only and may vary depending on various factors - please ask for a quotation.

Stephen is VAT registered and VAT is charged on his fees, where applicable.  Stephen’s VAT Registration Number is: 331 1871 28

A website called Legal Choices is run by the frontline legal regulators. It can be a good source of information for those looking to instruct a lawyer.

Stephen has professional indemnity insurance cover for all types of legal services he supplies to the public and businesses.

Stephen is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO): ZA503514