About
Dr. Chelvan has practised in the field of LGBT+ asylum since 2001 and has earned a reputation for being the leading legal expert in the UK, spearheading some of the leading cases since 2005 as well as providing consultation and training since 2004 to the United Nations, the IOM, national governmental departments, lawyers, and NGOs.
Dr. Chelvan has been ranked in Legal 500 since 2017 in Band 1 (Immigration, London Bar) - "Very good on strategic litigation and very intelligent. His expertise in sexual identity related asylum claims is world renowned” (2023). He has been ranked as a Leading Junior in Immigration in both Legal 500 and Chambers UK Bar since 2006 (‘A genius. The go-to barrister for complex immigration and human rights work’ (Chambers UK Bar 2023, Immigration, London Bar, Band 2).
Dr. Chelvan has held various national and international roles including with the UK Home Office since 2014, the Government Equalities Office (LGBT Advisory Panel 2019-2021), the Independent Chief Inspector for Borders and Immigration (2020 SOGIE COI Thematic Reviewer), and has provided training on SOGIE Refugee Status Determination with respect to his DSSH (Difference, Stigma, Shame and Harm) model, created by him in 2011 (e.g. Sweden, Switzerland, Hong Kong, UNHCR, European Union Asylum Agency).