Howsoun Semega-Janneh

In November 1993 Howsoun Semega-Janneh was called to the Bar as a Barrister & Solicitor by the Supreme Court of The Gambia (a common law jurisdiction). He worked as a Government lawyer law for many years engaged in criminal prosecution, civil litigation, drafting of commercial contract and the drafting and interpretation of Government Legislative Bills/Acts. Subsequently, he became the Principal Legal Officer in a Divestiture agency. He later joined a governmental procurement regulatory entity as the Manager and later Director of Compliance. After many years of public service, Howsoun subsequently entered into private legal practice as a criminal defence defence lawyer and civil litigator, as well as being involved in the interpretation and drafting of commercial contracts and acting as an agent for the filing of Intellectual Property (IP) applications for IP agencies based overseas.

In 2010 Howsoun was called to the Bar of England & Wales as a Barrister-at-law. He started his legal experience with a solicitor’s firm engaged in criminal law defence work, drafting grounds of appeal and legal opinions. Between 2016 to October 2021, Howsoun worked as part of two law Chambers in Manchester where he undertook not only immigration, asylum and human rights work, but also was counsel for clients in criminal cases in the Magistrates Court, Family law child arrangements proceedings and commercial contract disputes.

In February 2022, he joined Imperium as a Door tenant.

Howsoun is a Public Access (also known as ‘Direct Access’) Barrister, accredited by the Bar Council, which means that that members of the public can approach and instruct him directly (for legal advice and if appropriate, for representation in court) without having to go through a solicitor first.

Howsoun also accepts instructions from solicitors to act on behalf of their clients.

Howsoun’s areas of practice are –

• Immigration, Asylum and Human Rights
• Commercial Law (Non-Contentious)

Immigration, Asylum and Human Rights

In Immigration law matters, Howsoun has a keen eye for detail in the preparation of applications and presentation of cases for hearing and trial. His many years of legal practice experience enables Howsoun to provide comprehensive advice and representation services to his clients from around the World. He has represented clients from around the World in hundreds of immigration, asylum and human rights cases and matters.

Howsoun’s practices covers all areas of immigration, asylum, and human rights law – including the cases dealing with Points-Based system (PBS) system, Deception (including TOEIC deception), Citizenship and Nationality, Revocation, Deportation and Removal Immigration Bail, visit visas, entry clearance, Spouse & Partner Visas, UK Ancestry, adult dependency, Leave to Remain , Indefinite leave to remain (permanent residence) / settlement, Visa extensions & renewals, Variations of leave to remain, Family Visas, EU Family Permit, Pre-Settled and Settled Status Applications, Long residence (10 years’ lawful residence and 20 years’ unlawful residence) Indefinite Leave to Remain, Discretionary leave, Judicial Reviews and Administrative reviews etc.

Howsoun’s has extensive litigation experience. He regularly represents clients in cases before the courts / tribunals including the First Tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal (UT) as well as in judicial reviews. His representation of clients appears in many Upper Tribunal decisions which can be found on the Tribunal’s case website by clicking here.

Commercial Law (Non-Contentious):

• Commercial contract law – With both academic and legal work experience in the areas of commercial contract law, drafting, interpretation and analysis of several types of contracts including joint ventures agreements, lock-in agreements Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), confidentiality agreements, Shareholder Agreements etc to name a few.
• ‘Soft’ IP & IT law – providing advice and guidance on the licensing, protection, licensing and assignment of Intellectual Property (‘IP’) rights, IP agreements, as well as information Technology (‘IT’) law and agreements / contracts.
• Trademark and Domain Name disputes.

The Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn

Northern Circuit Bar, England

The Gambia Bar Association

Graduate Diploma in Law – The College (now University) of Law of England & Wales

Master of Laws (LL.M) in Intellectual Property – The George Washington University, Washington DC, (U.S.A.)

Master of Laws in Information Technology & Telecommunications Law – University of Strathclyde (U.K.)

Master of Laws in International Business Law – University of Leiden (Netherlands)

Master of Laws in Legislative Drafting – University of the West Indies (Barbados)

Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) – University of Sierra Leone (Sierra Leone)

Authored the article titled “Anti-Bribery Risk Assessment: Gambia” – one of several articles published in the book titled “Anti-Bribery Risk Assessment: A Systemic Overview of 151 Countries” (1st edition) edited by Thomas Gruetzner, Ulf Hommel and Klaus Moosmayer.