Signing support: lessons from Manchester

Legal Updates

Yesterday on the blog, we wrote about the importance of preparing in case of being detained, and the different things you can think about and get ready in case the worst happens to you. One of the most important aspects of this is having a system in place so that if you are detained, people know straight away and start taking action for you.

Read more

Communicating with your lawyer

Legal Updates

Understanding the asylum and immigration system, and your own legal case, is more important than ever. Cuts to legal aid (free, government-funded legal representation) mean that more and more people have no lawyer at all and are forced to navigate this very complicated system without legal representation.

Even if you have a lawyer, it’s important to understand your own legal case – this is your case and your life and you need to keep track of what is happening and whether the lawyer is doing the things they should be.

Read more

Do-It-Yourself fresh claims

Legal Updates

For people who have been refused asylum, and had their appeal to the Tribunal dismissed, a fresh claim for asylum, with new evidence or new grounds, can be the route to sanctuary, to regularisation of status.

There are limits and difficulties in doing this yourself, or helping someone if you are not a lawyer, but there are some aspects where community supporters can really help.

Read more