Zoe Cooley
Senior Associate and Team Leader
About Zoe Cooley
Zoe Cooley graduated from Kings College London having studied theology and philosophy. She worked for Tearfund a development charity and her church before joining Wilson Solicitors in 2010.
Zoe converted to law with distinction in 2012 before studying the Legal Practice Course. She qualified as a solicitor in 2015 having trained in our immigration, public and family law departments.
Zoe is experienced in a wide range of immigration, asylum and human rights cases for both legally aided and private clients. Zoe focuses on all aspects of asylum law and represents clients at all levels from application stage to the higher courts. Zoe represents detained clients including challenging urgent removals and is instructed in complex deportation matters.
Zoe has experience in a wide range of entry clearance applications and appeals including spouse visas and complex cases outside of the immigration rules.
Zoe has a particular interest in representing clients from Afghanistan and clients with serious and complex mental health issues including those who lack capacity to instruct within the meaning of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Zoe was instructed in the Court of Appeal case of R (S and AZ) v Secretary of State for the Home Department and Secretary of State for Defence [2022] EWCA Civ 1092 and the High Court case of R (on the application of SH) v Secretary of State for the FCDO & Ors [2022] EWHC 1937 (Admin).
Zoe was instructed in the successful case of R (MP1) v Secretary of State for Defence [2024] EWHC 410 (Admin) and in the Secretary of State for Defence’s subsequent unsuccessful appeal to the Court of Appeal MA, and MP1 v SSFCDA & SSD [2025] EWCA Civ 77.
Zoe heads up the collaboration between charity Body and Soul and Wilson Solicitors who provide monthly advice sessions. In her spare time Zoe is involved in her local church.
Interests: playing the piano and cycling.