EA & Anor v Minister for Justice (Approved)

            In these proceedings the applicants challenge the decision made by the respondent on 17 July, 2023 to refuse to revoke deportation orders made on 27 October, 2017 in respect of each of them.

            In essence, the legal grounds relied upon by the applicants are, first, to assert that the decision was irrational and, second, to contend that the impugned decision constituted an interference with the applicants' rights to respect for their private lives under Article 8(1) of the European Convention on Human Rights. Whilst no concessions were made, Counsel for the applicants made clear that " the major point is one of irrationality".

            Before proceeding further, I wish to acknowledge the great assistance given by Mr. Rogers SC for the applicants and by Mr. Leonard BL for the respondent. Both Counsel furnished detailed written submissions in advance.� These were supplemented by oral submissions of great clarity during the hearing. �During this judgment I will refer to the principal submissions made by both parties.

            Having carefully considered the pleadings, affidavits and exhibits, a chronology of facts emerges, which I propose to set out in conjunction with certain legal provisions and principles which seem to me to be of most relevance.

            The applicants are a married couple and are Nigerian nationals.