Salima is a partner in our Public Law and Human Rights team. She is a public law specialist with expertise in judicial review, human rights, information law, healthcare law, community care and discrimination.
Alongside her regulatory public law practice, Salima is frequently instructed in applications for judicial review and other public law matters by NGOs and representative organisations, as well as by individuals. She regularly acts in cases arising in the criminal justice and immigration contexts, as well as in matters involving discrimination law, information law, healthcare law and animal welfare.
Salima has challenged the lawfulness of immigration detention for people with health conditions and has also acted in compensation claims for ex-detainees against the Home Office. She has acted on behalf of victims of trafficking in challenges to detention and in respect of negative trafficking decisions. Salima regularly acts for migrant children and young people who are in the care of local authorities and care leavers.
Salima has an interest in community care and health care law and has advised and represented people in cases challenging refusals of care and the rationing of NHS treatments, as well as challenging the continued funding of non-evidence based treatments.
For several years, she has been a pioneer in the TOEIC litigation, representing overseas students detrimentally affected by Home Office action.
Education and career
- Salima graduated with a first class BSc in Psychology from UCL in 2000, and went on to obtain a PhD in Psychology from UCL in 2005.
- Whilst working on her thesis, she spent 3 years as a research fellow at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda, Maryland.
- Salima joined Bindmans as a paralegal in 2006 and studied the GDL and LPC part-time from 2005 to 2008 (passing both with distinction).
- She began her part-time training contract in 2007 and qualified as a solicitor in March 2010.
Recognition
Legal Directories
Chambers and Partners UK 2023
- Salima is ranked as ‘Up and Coming’ in Administrative and Public Law: Traditional Claimant. Feedback describes her as “a joy to work with. She is responsive, professional and smart.”
- “Salima Budhani of Bindmans frequently acts for children, asylum seekers and vulnerable adults on a range of cases, including trafficking, immigration detention and healthcare.”
- Feedback says “She is very committed. diligent and pragmatic in how she handles cases.”
- “Salima is very technical, handling cases with talent.”
- Salima is also ranked as ‘Up and Coming’ in Civil Liberties and Human Rights.
- “Salima is leading on pioneering current air pollution challenges, developing this area as well as others brilliantly.”
- “Salima is completely committed and works incredibly hard.”
- Salima is ranked as ‘Up and Coming’ in Data Protection & Information Law. Feedback states she “has a specialist understanding of highly sensitive data. She focuses her data protection practice on providing vulnerable clients with advice on their rights over the mishandling of their data.”
Legal 500 2023
- Salima is recognised as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ for Administrative and Public Law. She is described as a “really outstanding individual, among the best in the field in my view.”
- She is also recognised as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ for Civil Liberties and Human Rights.
- “Salima Budhani – fiercely intelligent, but compellingly practical: she really thinks creatively and pushes you to come up with new solutions you hadn’t even contemplated. Routinely handles very big and legally significant, or high profile cases.”
- “Salima Budhani is an outstanding practitioner with a broad public law practice. She combines exceptional insight and technical ability with wonderful client care.”
Chambers and Partners UK 2022
- Salima is ranked as ‘Star Associate’ in Administrative and Public Law: Traditional Claimant.
- Feedback says “she’s extremely thorough and can go through huge amounts of difficult material and come up with very impressive arguments.”
- Salima is also ranked as an ‘Associate to Watch’ in Civil Liberties and Human Rights.
- “Salima Budhani is very good with clients and she does a lot of good privacy work.”
- Salima is also ranked as an ‘Associate to Watch’ in Data Protection & Information Law.
Legal 500 2022
- Salima is recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ in Administrative and Public Law. Feedback says “Salima Budhani – absolutely brilliant – a real asset to any team – and always an absolute delight to work with.”
- Salima is also recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ in Civil Liberties and Human Rights. A source commented “Salima Budhani is properly outstanding in my view. Her written work is excellent and she is very shrewd.”
Chambers and Partners UK 2021
- Salima Budhani is ranked as a ‘Star Associate’ in Administrative and Public Law: Traditional claimant (UK-Wide) for a second year running
Legal 500 2021
- Salima Budhani is ranked as a ‘Next Generation Partner’ in Administrative and Public Law.
- Salima Budhani is a really outstanding individual, great attention to detail and very sharp indeed.‘
Chambers and Partners UK 2020
- Salima Budhani is ranked as a ‘Star Associate’ in Administrative and Public Law: Traditional claimant (UK-Wide).
- Salima is described as a “Future star” who is “impressive with clients, good at handling media and very good on the law”.
Legal 500 2019
- Salima Budhani is recognised as a ‘Leading Individual’ in Administrative and Public Law.
- Salima “is extremely committed, hardworking and produces top quality work. She provides amazing support for clients and barristers.”
Chambers and Partners UK 2019
- Salima Budhani is ranked in ‘Associates to watch’ in Administrative and Public Law: Traditional Claimant. “She’s enormously committed and sensitive to the client’s needs, and she goes above and beyond in her professional duties. She’s compassionate and outcome-driven, and wants to see the best outcome for the client.”
Awards
In 2016 Salima and her colleagues won the first Solicitors Journal ‘Legal Aid Team of the Year’ award.
Professional memberships
- Salima is a trustee of Unlock, a charity for people with convictions.
