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Barrister

Mark Schwenk

Year of Call: 2001

Mark Schwenk is a Barrister at Kenworthy’s Chambers who practices in

Mark Schwenk's main practice areas are Immigration and Asylum, judicial reviews, civil penalties and human rights. He is recommended as a ‘leading individual’ and ranked ‘Tier 1’ by Legal 500.

After training at a South London legal aid practice, Mark Schwenk qualified as a Solicitor in 1996. Later that year he moved to Manchester to take up a position as a Solicitor at the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit and subsequently became a Senior Solicitor.

During his time at the Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, Mark Schwenk acted for hundreds of immigrants and asylum seekers, preparing their cases and representing them before the Tribunal.

Mark Schwenk set up and obtained funding for a project to advise detainees at Manchester Airport.

In addition, whilst at the Immigration Aid Unit, Mark was involved in anti-deportation campaigns in the North of England.

Mark has been to Greece three times, most recently in Autumn 2021, as a volunteer on projects advising asylum seekers and migrants.

Immigration, Asylum and Nationality

Mark Schwenk is constantly in demand as an Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Barrister to represent clients in the Immigration and Asylum Chamber, particularly in the Upper Tribunal where he has been involved in several country guidance cases. He also has extensive experience of Court of Appeal and High Court work, including obtaining injunctions.

Mark Schwenk's experience as a Solicitor in a legal aid practice, both in the private and voluntary sectors, means that he has a good understanding of the issues facing Immigration Solicitors, particularly legal aid practitioners. 

He has provided representation in several high-profile cases. First, Carter, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2014] EWHC 2603 (Admin), which was a successful challenge to the Secretary of State's policy on fee waivers. Second, Novoselova, R (On the Application of v SSHD [2014] EWHC 4274 (Admin), which was a case concerning protection from domestic violence for unmarried partners of EEA nationals.

Immigration Barrister Mark Schwenk retains strong links with the voluntary sector and undertakes many cases for voluntary sector organisations. He has a thorough knowledge of his practice area and is known for his meticulous preparation and tenacity.

Mark Schwenk also acts for commercial clients, particularly employers wishing to bring employees to the UK. He has also been involved in defending employers against the imposition of civil penalties for employing illegal workers since the inception of the scheme. 

If you have an Immigration, Asylum, or Nationality case you need advice or advocacy for, call our Immigration Clerks Courtney Richards and Daniella Howarth on 0161 832 4036, email [email protected], [email protected], or fill out our contact form.

Administrative and Public Law

Mark has an excellent understanding of the principles of judicial review and has undertaken judicial reviews in several practice areas, including challenges to unlawful detention and challenges to decisions to withdraw sponsor licences from colleges.

Mark Schwenk's Higher Court work includes dealing with complex Public Law and Human rights issues, such as the lawfulness of returning foreign nationals to face the death penalty in their country of origin.

He was famously instructed by South Manchester Law Centre in their challenge against the Legal Services Commission - South Manchester Law Centre (R on the application of) v Legal Services Commission [2010] EWHC 3131 (Admin).

If you have an Administrative and Public Law case call our Clerk Courtney Richards on 0161 832 4036, email [email protected], or fill out our contact form.

Public Access

Mark Schwenk accepts Immigration Law instructions from the general public on a direct access basis for appropriate cases.

Please refer to the below pricing range for Public Access Barrister services. Prices are subject to case type, complexity and seniority or experience of the Barrister. Accurate quotes will be provided before work on the case begins.

Immigration
Services Cost
Advice and Preparation (Hourly Rate): £175 - £275 + VAT
Conferences: £250 - £750 + VAT
*First-Tier Immigration Hearings: £550 - £850 + VAT
*Bail Hearings: £350 - £500 + VAT
Upper Tribunal Hearings:£550 - £1,200 + VAT


*These price ranges for hearings at Manchester IAC, other courts will incur a travel charge.

Please contact our Senior Immigration Clerk, Courtney Richards ([email protected]), for more information.

+ Qualifications
  • Mark Schwenk earned a Bachelor of Laws LLB degree from The University of Sheffield.
+ Professional Memberships
  • Mark was a founder member of the Greater Manchester Law Centre Management Committee.
  • Member of Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA).
  • Mark Schwenk has provided extensive immigration training in conjunction with bodies such as ILPA, GMIAU, ACT Project, and JCWI.

Contact Us

To inquire about the availability of Barrister Mark Schwenk for your Immigration, Asylum and Nationality or Administrative and Public Law case, call our Clerks Courtney Richards and Daniella Howarth on 0161 832 4036, email [email protected], [email protected] or fill out our contact form.

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