Eugene Okwudili Eluwa
Director
Eugene Okwudili Eluwa
Director
Eugene Okwudili Eluwa is a Director at Ben Darlington Solicitors and a qualified Solicitor of England and Wales, admitted in 2009. He specialises in Employment Law and Immigration Law, and brings over 15 years of experience supporting individuals and businesses through some of life’s most important legal challenges.
Eugene takes pride in offering clear, honest, and down-to-earth advice. Whether helping someone resolve a workplace dispute or guiding a family through the immigration process, he always puts his clients first. His calm and approachable style, combined with a deep understanding of the law, makes him a trusted advisor to those he works with.
Employment Law Expertise
In his Employment Law work, Eugene supports both employees and employers with:
- Unfair dismissal, redundancy, and workplace disputes
- Discrimination and harassment claims
- Settlement agreements
- Contract reviews and negotiations
- Representation at Employment Tribunal hearings
Immigration Law Expertise
He also has extensive experience in Immigration Law, regularly assisting clients with:
- Work and business visas
- Skilled Worker and Sponsor Licence applications
- Spouse, partner, and family visas
- Asylum and human rights claims
- British citizenship and naturalisation
- Appeals and Judicial Reviews
Eugene understands that dealing with employment or immigration issues can be stressful, so he takes the time to listen and explain things in a straightforward, supportive way. His goal is always to make the legal process as smooth and manageable as possible for his clients.
As a Director of the firm, Eugene plays a key role in shaping how the practice serves its community. He is committed to providing accessible, high-quality legal advice that is tailored to each client’s needs, background, and goals.
Charlenne Ugochukwu
Consultant Solicitor and Supervisor
Charlenne Ugochukwu
Consultant Solicitor and Supervisor
Charlenne is a Consultant Solicitor and Supervisor at Ben Darlington, specialising in family and children law. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2013 and became an accredited member of the Law Society’s Children Law Panel in 2018, recognising her expertise in representing children and handling complex family matters.
Education
She holds an LLB from Brunel University and completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law.
Legal Practice
Charlenne represents parents, children, and extended family members in a wide range of proceedings, including:
- Care proceedings
- Special guardianship
- Child arrangement orders
- Adoption
- Abduction
- Emergency applications
She also advises on protective measures such as:
- Non-molestation orders
- Occupation orders
- Transfer of tenancy
Client Support & Advocacy
With extensive experience working with vulnerable clients, Charlenne supports individuals facing issues such as:
- Domestic abuse
- Neglect
- Mental health challenges
- Learning difficulties
She regularly appears in court and conducts much of her own advocacy.
Languages
Charlenne is fluent in both English and Lingala.
Nancy Katambala
Director, Solicitor Advocate
Nancy Katambala
Director, Solicitor Advocate
Nancy Katambala is a Director at Ben Darlington Solicitors, where she leads both the Family Law and Civil Litigation departments. A highly experienced Solicitor Advocate with Higher Rights of Audience, Nancy is qualified to represent clients in all civil courts, including the High Court and Court of Appeal, offering her clients the benefit of seamless representation from start to finish.
With over 19 years of post-qualification experience, Nancy has built a reputation for her calm, clear, and client-focused approach. She is known for her ability to handle complex and emotionally charged matters with empathy, professionalism, and determination. Her legal expertise spans Family Law, Civil Litigation, Immigration, EU Law, Human Rights, Company Law, Contract Law, and Judicial Review.
Family Law Expertise
Nancy’s Family Law practice is wide-ranging and includes:
- Care proceedings – representing parents, guardians, and extended family members in cases involving local authority intervention
- Private children matters – including child arrangement, specific issue, and prohibited steps orders
- Domestic abuse cases – helping clients obtain urgent protective orders such as non-molestation and occupation orders
- Divorce and separation – guiding clients through the emotional and financial complexities of relationship breakdown
- Financial settlements – from straightforward agreements to intricate and high-value disputes
- Parental responsibility issues, surrogacy arrangements, and international family law with cross-border elements
Civil Litigation Expertise
As Head of Civil Litigation, Nancy provides strategic advice and representation in a variety of disputes, including:
- Contractual claims
- Property and land disputes
- Landlord and tenant matters
- Debt recovery
- Professional negligence
International Legal Interests
In addition to her domestic practice, Nancy has a strong academic and professional interest in International Company Law, Investment Law, and OHADA Law—the unified business law framework used across many French-speaking African countries.
Her knowledge in these areas makes her particularly well-suited to advise clients involved in:
- Cross-border commercial transactions
- Foreign direct investment
- Legal matters with an African regional focus
Languages
Nancy is fluent in English, French, and Lingala, and also speaks basic Dutch. Her multicultural background and language skills are a significant asset in her work with clients from diverse communities, enabling her to deliver legal support that is both accessible and culturally sensitive.
Advocacy & Recognition
Nancy regularly appears before courts and tribunals and is widely respected for her strong advocacy, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients.
Iva Bahchivanova
Caseworker
Iva Bahchivanova
Caseworker
Iva Bahchivanova is a Caseworker at Ben Darlington Solicitors, working closely with clients in both Criminal Defence and Private Family Law. Originally from Bulgaria, Iva has been part of the legal field since 2013, bringing over a decade of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the challenges clients face in some of the most sensitive and personal areas of law.
Iva is known for her approachable, supportive manner and her strong sense of dedication to the people she helps. She is especially passionate about supporting members of the Bulgarian and Eastern European communities in the UK, with whom she maintains strong and trusted connections. Fluent in Bulgarian and English, Iva provides legal support that is both culturally sensitive and easy to understand.
Family Law Expertise
In her Family Law work, Iva assists clients with a range of private matters, including:
- Child arrangements and disputes between parents
- Cases involving domestic abuse and protective injunctions
- Divorce and separation
- Parental responsibility issues
Criminal Defence Support
In the Criminal Law department, she supports clients facing a wide variety of charges, from minor offences to more serious allegations, always working to ensure they understand their rights and the legal process ahead.
Iva is deeply committed to making sure clients feel heard, respected, and well-informed at every stage of their case. Her calm, practical approach and strong attention to detail have made her a valued member of the team and a trusted support for those navigating difficult legal situations.
Ijher Yousuf
Senior Immigration and Public Law Caseworker
Ijher Yousuf
Senior Immigration and Public Law Caseworker
Ijher Yousuf is a Senior Immigration and Public Law Caseworker accredited at IAAS Level 2 (Senior Caseworker) by the Law Society.
He has extensive experience advising and representing clients in a wide range of complex immigration matters. He is authorised to manage and lead cases independently without supervision, including urgent appeals, judicial review pre-action protocol letters, and detailed legal representations.
Yousuf is particularly known for his client-focused approach, his ability to handle last-minute instructions, and his deep understanding of both the legal framework and the human impact of immigration decisions. He is often instructed in cases involving vulnerable clients, credibility disputes, and complex factual or legal issues.
Immigration Law Specialisms
- Spouse and partner applications under Appendix FM
- Fee waivers
- Private and family life claims under Article 8 ECHR
- Asylum and humanitarian protection
- Discretionary leave
- Long residence applications
- EU Settlement Scheme applications
- Visitor visas
- Skilled Worker and Student applications
- Appeals before the First-tier and Upper Tribunals
Public Law Specialisms
- Judicial Review challenges before the Upper Tribunal and Administrative Court
- Challenges involving unlawful delays and procedural unfairness
- Unlawful detention claims and damages for false imprisonment
- Challenges to certification decisions, removals, and policy breaches
Client-Focused Advocacy
Yousuf combines legal precision with empathy and strategic thinking. He has built a reputation for delivering strong results in cases where time is short, the stakes are high, and the client needs more than just legal advice—they need someone who genuinely cares.
Mohamed Osman
Immigration Solicitor
Mohamed Osman
Immigration Solicitor
Mohamed Osman completed his LLB and Legal Practice Course at City, University of London, and qualified as a solicitor in 2024. He advises on all aspects of UK immigration law, covering both personal and business immigration matters.
Areas of Practice
Mohamed's work includes:
- Applications under Appendix FM
- Human rights claims
- Nationality and citizenship matters
- Immigration appeals
Business Immigration Expertise
He has a strong emphasis on business immigration, including:
- Skilled Worker visa applications
- Sponsor licence applications
- Compliance support for UK-based employers
Client Approach
Mohamed provides straightforward legal advice and practical solutions for clients navigating the UK’s immigration system.
Ali Kayani
Legal Advisor
Ali Kayani
Legal Advisor
Ali is a seasoned Legal Advisor with nearly 10 years of practical experience across civil litigation and regulatory criminal matters. He advises on landlord and tenant disputes, commercial contract claims, and business litigation, with particular focus on asset restraint and recovery.
Expertise
Ali provides legal advice and support in the following areas:
- Landlord and tenant disputes
- Commercial contract claims
- Business litigation
- Asset restraint and recovery
Regulatory Defence Support
He also supports defence teams in:
- Trading Standards prosecutions
- Licensing offences
- Other regulatory breaches
Ali provides clear, tactical input from case preparation to resolution.
Professional Approach
Respected for his precision and discretion, Ali delivers calm, strategic guidance in complex, high-stakes matters.
Each client’s affairs are conducted by a specialist solicitor who is ready to assist you.
We recognise that all cases are unique and require a tailored approach – please contact us
so that we may proceed with your case as early as possible.