Freya Danby
Associate solicitor
Freya is an associate solicitor in the human rights department
Freya joined Leigh Day in 2013 and qualified as a solicitor in September 2023. She previously worked with Jamie Beagent and Waleed Sheikh before joining Jacqui McKenzie’s immigration team in August 2021. Freya is also an IAAS accredited Senior Caseworker and Supervisor.
What our clients say
“I worked primarily with Freya, who is very professional, welcoming, friendly, and intelligent. She is well-versed in her field, you are definitely in the very best hands when working with Freya. Not only does she excel in her professional work, but she also displays great charisma and personality outside of the office.”
Legal expertise
Freya’s work includes:
- Windrush claims- both for status, compensation and in relation to judicial reviews;
- Public law claims for judicial review – this includes claims challenging unlawful detention, removal directions and also final decisions under both the Windrush Scheme and Compensation Scheme;
- Private law damages claim- for example, assisting clients with false imprisonment claims in respect of previous immigration detention and in claims concerning mistreatment with detent ion centres.
- Immigration work- such as asylum, trafficking, Article 8 claims, etc.
Prior to joining Leigh Day, Freya worked in three other law firms as a caseworker in relation to immigration, public and criminal law cases.
What people say about Freya
"Leigh Day was amazing, they helped me with my compensation and I received a generous amount. Freya always guided me and, gave me great support along the way, even though at times it was an emotional journey, but as mentioned the support was unbelievable. I would highly recommend Leigh Day."
"From the onset Jamie Beagent and Freya Danby were extremely helpful and they fully understood my problem. They provided guidance, I was kept informed and I felt completely supported throughout the process."
Some of Freya’s other cases
During her time at Leigh Day Freya has previously acted in various cases including:
- Successfully assisting a client who was given removal directions for the Rwandan Charter flight in June 2022 with obtaining an injunction;
- representing clients affected by the Windrush Scandal. Freya has assisted with four Windrush related judicial review applications and is currently assisting clients with their applications through the government’s Windrush Compensation Scheme;
- a judicial review claim on behalf of a severely disabled woman who successfully challenged her council care charges on the basis that they were discriminatory;
- acting on behalf of an individual in SIAC proceedings in a national security case;
- representing a small group-claim on behalf of six Pakistani claimants who allege they were handcuffed on a burning bus by escorting officers while being transported to the airport for removal;
- R (on the application of Sathanantham) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2016] EWHC 1781 (Admin) (a test case on behalf of four claimants challenging Home Office delays in the provision of bail accommodation for high-risk immigration detainees. The court found that the Home Office was operating its accommodation policy unlawfully and there had been systemic delays in the provision of bail accommodation. It recommended that the system to be overhauled);
- R (oao Francis) v SSHD [2014] EWCA Civ 718 (on whether immigration legislation prevented detention becoming unlawful despite a failure by the Home Office to comply with detention policy);
- EO & Others v SSHD [2013] EWHC 1236 Admin (the then leading authority on the Home Office’s Rule 35 policy relating to the immigration detention of victims of torture).
In her spare time Freya enjoys photography and baking (she is well-known internally for her homemade cakes and tray bakes.)