Solicitor
Shankhanie is a public law practitioner specialising in immigration and asylum law. Shankhanie’s experience of the range of immigration matters include issues relating to ‘first countries of asylum’, revocation of refugee status and the Immigration Rules (including entry clearance).
Shankhanie completed her LLB (Hons) Law in Birmingham City University and went onto completed her Legal Practice Course with Master of Laws (LLM) in University of West London.
Shankhanie joined David Benson Solicitors in 2017 and qualified as a Solicitor in 2020.
She has established an unrivalled reputation for her work with detained clients, particularly those challenging deportation decisions. She has particular experience working with vulnerable clients and dealing with urgent applications, representing foreign national offenders, unaccompanied children, victims of torture, victims of human trafficking, those suffering from mental health problems and further seeking injunctive relief against removal.
She is also accredited under the Law Society IAAS as a Senior Level 2 Caseworker which enables her to provide specialist legal representation under the firm's legal aid franchise. Shankhanie is committed to publicly funded work ensuring access to justice for those most vulnerable.
In addition to her immigration work, Shankhanie is experienced in a wide range of miscellaneous matters including wills, probate, lasting powers of attorney and inheritance tax (IHT). She often assists clients with the management of their affairs under deputyship orders and other Court of Protection matters.
Shankhanie also practices in general commercial litigation disputes including debt recovery and shareholder and partnership disputes. Her practice further widens in the family department issuing routine divorce application be it defended or undefended.
Shankhanie is fluent in Sinhala.