Alasdair Mackenzie sworn in at King’s Counsel Appointment Ceremony at Westminster Hall
Doughty Street Chambers is immensely proud to congratulate Alasdair Mackenzie who was formally sworn in at the King’s Counsel Appointment Ceremony at Westminster Hall on Monday 23 March 2026. Alasdair was appointed as King’s Counsel following the rigorous process for selection in demonstrating excellence in advocacy in the higher courts in England and Wales.
Alasdair Mackenzie specialises in immigration law, especially in asylum law, human rights, anti-trafficking and national security cases, and in public law generally. He heads Doughty Street’s Immigration Team.
Alasdair is regularly instructed as sole or leading counsel in appeals to the Court of Appeal, the Upper Tribunal and the Special Immigration Appeals Commission and in judicial reviews in both the High Court and Upper Tribunal. He appears frequently before the Upper Tribunal and First-Tier Tribunal in all areas of immigration law, including refugee, human rights, family, EEA, student, points-based system, bail and deportation cases. He also appears in judicial reviews of trafficking decisions and age assessments.
Alasdair is top ranked in both Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500:
'Alasdair is always a pleasure to work with. His understanding of the immigration and asylum system is second to none, and he is calm and incisive in giving advice.'
'An excellent advocate - vastly knowledgeable and deeply committed to the work.’
'Very good technically; he knows the law in this area comprehensively. He is particularly good at the application of international law to the arguments in the case'.
‘A first-class barrister. His written work is impeccable, his advocacy flawless’.
Head of Doughty Street Chambers, Aswini Weereratne KC said:
“Alasdair embodies all that is Doughty Street and we are immensely proud of him. He has worked with laser beam dedication with refugees and asylum seekers, as a campaigner and founder of Asylum Aid before coming to the Bar, and now his elevation to Silk justly recognises his talent and expertise as a lawyer.”
Chief Executive Officer, James Whiting said:
"Alasdair has led Doughty Street's Immigration team with unwavering commitment to represent those who most need it in an often hostile environment. He embodies the values that this chambers stands for, having devoted his life to helping those in need of asylum, starting as one of the founders of Asylum Aid, and its Coordinator for 12 years. Alasdair will bring unyielding courage, integrity and honour to his appointment as King’s Counsel over the years to come”
Alasdair’s appointment brings Chambers’ complement of King's Counsel to a total of 43 Silks with leading reputations both domestically and internationally, across the spectrum of criminal and civil law, including public and administrative law.
