Man murdered at King's Cross station was leading immigration lawyer
British Transport Police today confirmed that the person struck and killed by a tube train following an incident at King’s Cross Station last Monday was David Burgess, a lawyer at north London firm Luqmani Thompson & Partners.
Burgess, who was cross gender and also went by the name Sonia, was wearing women’s clothes and make-up when he was allegedly pushed beneath the train on Monday evening.
A 34-year-old woman, Nina Kanagasingham, appeared todayin Westminster magistrates court charged with murder.
In a statement Burgess’s family said: “Sonia (David) was a loving and wonderful person and will be missed deeply.”
Burgess’s firm, Luqmani Thompson, said it was “immensely saddened” by his death. Burgess was “an enormously talented practitioner, an inspiration to a generation of lawyers practising in this field [immigration], and a great friend”, the firm added.
Burgess, 63, is best known for immigration law. He had previously been senior partner of Winstanley Burgess Solicitors, described by Raza Husain QC of Matrix Chambers as, “the gold standard immigration law firm in the 1990s”.
His cases involved matters as diverse as fair trials in foreign countries, persons facing exclusion from the Refugee Convention, civil claims against the Ministry of Defence for unlawful detention and country guidance casework on North Korea.
Burgess was responsible for what was described by Professor Sir William Wade as “the most important constitutional case for centuries” (M v Home Office), which began with his attendance out of hours before a duty judge challenging the unlawful removal of his client to Zaire. “M orders” subsequently entered the lexicon of public law.
As Hussain said, “David had personal conduct of the evidential aspect of the argument in Chahal v UK, perhaps the most important European immigration law case of the last few decades”.
Luqmani Thompson added in its statement: “David’s contribution to legal development is unquestionable but what’s sometimes forgotten is that he was a pioneer in setting legal tests and trends in genuinely trailblazing cases.
“This firm has tried hard to live up to the high standards set by David, we’d not have been the same firm without his contribution and encouragement; we shall not be the same firm without him.”
Readers' comments (7)
gulalai | 28-Oct-2010 9:35 pm
David Burgess was the best father, the best friend, and the best top lawyers in the UK, I will always respect him for what a loveing person he was, he helped many victimes of tortures at the Medical Foundation, we will miss him greatly at the Medical Foundation.
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Dr Harleen Kaur Deol | 29-Oct-2010 9:01 am
Sonia Burgess was an exceptional person and human rights lawyer.
His work in the representation of Mr Karamjit Singh Chahal, was an inspiration to not only lawyers around the world, but led him to become a well loved and respected person amongst the British Sikh Community.
Despite his formidable legal performance, he was always a warm and friendly person, who became a friend of our family and Mr Chahal's.
This tragic accident has meant a a loss not only for the legal community, but for the British people as a whole. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this devastating time.
Dr Harleen K Deol. MBBS, MRCS, MSc.
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Jan Doerfel | 31-Oct-2010 1:13 am
I could not agree more with what has been said above. Sonia's death will leave an irreplacable hole and great sadness in the hearts of all who knew and loved her. She was a truly exceptional person who always put the safety and dignity of others before her own interests. She was a true inspiration and a lawyer of a calibre I have not found again since. The world is a much sadder place without her. Jan Doerfel, barrister.
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Stephen Whittle | 2-Nov-2010 4:02 am
Sonia was the one of the key, and possibly the most influential human rights lawyers of the late 20th century. She inspired me to be the lawyer I am today, as well as many of my colleagues in Press for Change, the transgender campaigning group. She provided legal help and advice to so many, rarely with money changing hands. It was no surprise to learn that her wife, as a nurse, was effectively the main breadwinner for the family.
Sonia lived by her beliefs, and as our lawyer in X, Y and Z v The UK (1996) she was truly inspiring, producing amazing strategy and legal thinking. She was always welcoming, warm, and friendly, despite often suffering terrible back pain. She has left a large hole in the legal battleground for refugee and asylum seeker rights in this country.
We will miss her
Stephen Whittle,OBE, PhD, MA, LLB, BA
Professor of Equalities Law, The School of Law, Manchester Metropolitan University
Head of Legal Services, Press for Change www.pfc.org.uk
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Anonymous | 22-Nov-2010 5:41 am
the Tamil generation missed a sincere well wisher.we never forget his help for our society.
we loved him, love him, will love him for ever and ever.
We are very great full to him.
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Professor Richard Ekins | 30-Nov-2010 5:27 pm
I had lost contact with Sonia (David) Burgess for almost twenty years, since working with David when he was acting for Mark Rees back in the 1980s. David (Sonya) was a beautiful and wonderful person and the most important human rights lawyer I ever had the good fortune of meeting and knowing as a friend. As my personal tribute, I can do no better than repeat the words of Frances Webber from 'David Burgess - An Appreciation': 'But although David was extraordinarily ambitious for those he represented, he had no personal ambition and was indeed the most modest and self-effacing of people. Courteous, with a gentle manner, he inspired the confidence of those he represented through his utter commitment and inexhaustible work on their behalf, delighted barristers lucky enough to work for him for the astonishing thoroughness of his preparation, and won the confidence of the courts and tribunals for his total integrity.'
Richard Ekins, Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Cultural Studies, University of Ulster, UK
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Margaret Wood | 26-Jan-2011 2:28 pm
I went to Infant School with David and his sister Rosalind in Castleford. I knew he was a successful and respected lawyer, defending the vulnerable. I was shocked to read the distressing story of his death and send my commiserations to his family.
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