At Right to Remain, we know how many people are struggling to access the quality legal advice they need to understand what is happening, what their options are and to make informed choices about what to do next. We get emails daily from people who cannot find a lawyer, who are frustrated with poor communication, or, at worst, who have been scammed for substantial amounts of money by unqualified lawyers promising them positive outcomes in desperate situations.

This is not surprising. The legal aid crisis means that good lawyers are overwhelmed, and cuts to funding have left big gaps. But it also means people are left waiting, confused, and sometimes exploited.

That’s why we have a detailed Key Guide as part of the Toolkit to help you understand if you need a lawyer for your case, whether you can have a free lawyer (through Legal Aid), and what legal advice is.  The page also explains how the system works, what to expect, and how you can take an active role in your own case. 

Supporters, friends, family members, and community groups, can also play a role: whether that’s helping someone stay organised, attending appointments, or writing clear, factual supporting letters. To make this easier, we’ve added a new Action section to our Key Guide on Evidence on How to write helpful supporting letters for someone’s asylum, immigration or human rights case. 

Why this matters

• It’s important to know what lawyers do and how to best work with them.
• You need to understand your own case. Your lawyer works for you, not the other way round.
• Being prepared and organised can protect you from poor service or exploitation.

What you’ll find in the Key Guide on Working with lawyers: 

• How to check if someone is a qualified lawyer or adviser.
• What to expect when finding and communicating with a lawyer.
• Third party consent (this is when you give written permission for another person, like a friend or support worker, to speak to your lawyer for you) and how to use it. 
• What to do in meetings with your lawyer, and how to prepare to make the most out of your meetings. 
• How to make a complaint or change your lawyer if things go wrong.
• Clear guidance on Legal Aid: who can get it, what it covers, and what the limits are.
• Options if you cannot get a free lawyer, including private or pro bono (free) help.
• Protect yourself: never pay cash without receipts, avoid anyone promising guaranteed success, and insist on copies of everything.

New Action Section: How to write helpful supporting letters for someone’s asylum, immigration or human rights case

Taking an active role also means knowing what you and your community can do right now to strengthen your case. That’s why we’ve added a new Action Section in our Key Guide on Evidence on How to write helpful supporting letters. We developed this guidance with support from the Manuel Bravo Project who give free legal representation to people seeking asylum and refugees who cannot get legal aid.

Supporting letters are an important way to provide real, factual evidence. But they only help if they are written in the right way.

Some key things to know:

• Stick to facts and observations, not emotional appeals.
• Be specific and give real examples of what you have seen.
• Keep it clear and simple – short sentences are best.
• Honest letters, even short ones, are much stronger than exaggerated claims.

Remember: this system is confusing for everyone – even for professionals. The Right to Remain Toolkit is here to help you and our communities through the process. Together, we can support each other to make informed choices and keep safe from harmful practices. And if you are a support, know your role matters – small, practical actions can make a real difference in someone’s life and case.