31 Jan Sue Willman Awarded Honorary KC for Transformative Work in Migrant Rights

We are delighted to share that Sue Willman, a long-standing partner and now consultant at Deighton Pierce Glynn, has been awarded the title of Honorary King’s Counsel (KC) in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the legal protection of migrants’ socio-economic rights in the UK.

For anyone working in migrant rights, Sue’s impact is unmistakable. She co-authored the first comprehensive textbook on asylum support in 2001, laying the foundation for legal practitioners in this field. She was also the driving force behind the Asylum Support Appeals Project, a charity she chaired for over a decade, which continues to be the leading source of advice and representation for asylum seekers navigating the appeals process. Her landmark legal challenges have shaped the legal landscape, securing vital protections for migrants in an increasingly hostile environment.

But perhaps Sue’s greatest legacy is her collaborative and inclusive approach to law. She has brought together NGOs, health bodies, trade unions, universities, faith groups, and public institutions to advance justice—an ethos that remains a core value at Deighton Pierce Glynn. Alongside her casework, she has trained thousands of lawyers and advisors, strengthening legal representation for asylum seekers and inspiring a new generation of practitioners to take up this vital work.

Currently, Sue is taking time away from casework to support environmental justice initiatives in India, helping to develop legal clinics tackling the climate and nature emergency.

In a field full of exceptional lawyers, Sue is truly one of the most inspiring. We are immensely proud that her achievements have been publicly recognised and would like to extend our thanks to retired Tribunal Judge Sehba Storey OBE for nominating her.

Polly Glynn, Managing Director at Deighton Pierce Glynn said:

“Sue is a brilliant lawyer and amazing colleague. All of us at DPG could not be more proud of her achievement which is so well deserved”.

Congratulations, Sue—this honour is so well deserved!

See appointments here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-honorary-kings-counsel-welcomed-by-lord-chancellor

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