Strategic litigation, searchable.
15 cases across 14 issue areas. Filter by topic, outcome, or precedent strength. Each profile is a starting point for adaptation, not a finishing line.
- Australia (National)· 2023· High Court of AustraliafavorableHigh precedent
NZYQ v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs [2023] HCA 37
Whether indefinite immigration detention of a non-citizen who cannot be removed in the reasonably foreseeable future is within Commonwealth power.
refugeeasylumnon-refoulementimmigration detentionindefinite detention - Western Australia, Australia· 2023· Inspector of Custodial ServicesadverseHigh precedentinspection report
WA Inspector Report - Unit 18 Casuarina
Inspection of Unit 18 at Casuarina adult prison where children were held. Found conditions breached international obligations and domestic law.
adult-prisondetention-conditionsindigenous-rightsyouth-justice - Queensland, Australia· 2023· QLD Human Rights CommissionpendingHigh precedenthuman rights investigation
QLD Watch House Crisis - Children in Adult Police Cells
Hundreds of children held in adult police watch houses for weeks due to detention overcrowding. Children as young as 10 in cells designed for adults, denied education.
detention-conditionshuman-rightsyouth-justice - Western Australia, Australia· 2022· Inspector of Custodial ServicespendingHigh precedentinspection report
OICS Review of Banksia Hill Detention Centre
Multiple inspections found systemic failures: high isolation use, self-harm, staff shortages. Children transferred to adult facility (Casuarina Unit 18) as emergency.
detention-conditionsindigenous-rightsyouth-justice - European Court of Human Rights· 2019· ECtHR (Grand Chamber)favorableHigh precedent
Ilias and Ahmed v Hungary (GC), App No 47287/15 (2019)
Transit-zone confinement; removal to Serbia; procedural safeguards
asylumdetention-conditionsprocedural-safeguardsrefugeetransit-zones - Northern Territory, Australia· 2017· Royal CommissionfavorableHigh precedentroyal commission
Royal Commission into Protection and Detention of Children in NT
Systematic abuse of children in youth detention including tear-gassing, hooding, restraint chairs, solitary confinement at Don Dale. Triggered by ABC Four Corners footage.
detention-conditionsindigenous-rightsyouth-justice - South Africa· 2017· Constitutional Court of South AfricafavorableHigh precedent
Lawyers for Human Rights v Minister of Home Affairs [2017] ZACC 22
Immigration detention safeguards; judicial oversight
asylumconstitutional-protectionsdetention-conditionsjudicial-oversightrefugee - Papua New Guinea· 2016· Supreme Court of Papua New GuineafavorableHigh precedent
Namah v Pato [2016] PGSC 13; SC1497
Legality of Australia's offshore detention of asylum seekers transferred to the Manus Island Regional Processing Centre under the Australia-PNG arrangement; right to personal liberty under s42 of the PNG Constitution.
refugeeasylumnon-refoulementimmigration detentionoffshore processing+1 - Australia (National)· 2016· High Court of AustraliaadverseHigh precedent
Plaintiff M68/2015 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2016] HCA 1
Constitutional validity of the Commonwealth's participation in and funding of the detention of asylum seekers at the Nauru Regional Processing Centre.
refugeeasylumnon-refoulementimmigration detentionoffshore processing+1 - Australia (National)· 2015· High Court of AustraliaadverseHigh precedent
CPCF v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2015] HCA 1
Lawfulness of detaining at sea, and taking towards another country, a group of Tamil asylum seekers intercepted en route to Australia.
refugeeasylumnon-refoulementimmigration detentioninterception at sea+1 - Australia (National)· 2014· High Court of AustraliaadverseHigh precedent
Plaintiff S156/2013 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2014] HCA 22
Validity of the designation of Papua New Guinea as a regional processing country and the removal of asylum seekers there under the Migration Act.
refugeeasylumnon-refoulementimmigration detentionoffshore processing+1 - European Court of Human Rights· 2011· ECtHR (Grand Chamber)favorableHigh precedent
M.S.S. v Belgium and Greece (GC), App No 30696/09
Dublin transfer to Greece; reception & detention conditions; effective remedy
asylumdetention-conditionsdublin-transferseffective-remedyrefugee - Australia (National)· 2004· High Court of AustraliaadverseHigh precedent
Al-Kateb v Godwin [2004] HCA 37
Whether a stateless person who cannot be removed from Australia may be detained indefinitely under the Migration Act.
refugeeasylumnon-refoulementimmigration detentionindefinite detention - Australia (National)· 2001· Federal Court of Australia (Full Court)adverseHigh precedent
Ruddock v Vadarlis [2001] FCA 1329 (the Tampa case)
Whether the Commonwealth executive had power, absent statutory authority, to detain and remove asylum seekers rescued by the MV Tampa and prevent them entering Australia.
refugeeasylumnon-refoulementimmigration detentionexecutive power+1 - International (UN Human Rights Committee)· 1997· UN Human Rights CommitteefavorableHigh precedent
A v Australia, Communication No. 560/1993, UN Doc CCPR/C/59/D/560/1993
Whether prolonged mandatory immigration detention of an asylum seeker (over three years) breached the prohibition on arbitrary detention and the right to judicial review of detention under ICCPR article 9.
refugeeasylumnon-refoulementimmigration detentionarbitrary detention+1