Asylum

Our specialist Asylum team offers an understanding and professional service for those seeking asylum. We can help you with your application for leave to remain and provide assistance and advice throughout the asylum process.

Being granted asylum in the United Kingdom can mean the start of a new life free from fear of persecution. Asylum seekers coming into the UK have often escaped a situation that was distressing for both themselves and their family.

What is Asylum?

Asylum is protection given by a country to someone who is fleeing persecution (being treated badly) in their own country. It is given under the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

To be granted asylum you must be able to prove that you have fled your country in fear for your safety, and your government would not provide you with any help or protection, because of one of following reasons:

  • race
  • religion
  • nationality
  • your political opinion
  • membership of a particular social group

If you do not qualify for asylum but there are humanitarian or other reasons for you to be allowed to stay in the United Kingdom, you may be able to apply to the Home Office for temporary permission to remain.

Searching for a place of safety

It can sometimes be difficult to prove that your situation entitles you to asylum in the UK. Our team will provide you with an in-depth, honest assessment of your chances of successfully being granted leave to remain.

Your solicitor will provide you with advice that is easy to understand and keep you up-to-date throughout the asylum process. They can also explain what help you are entitled to, such as financial support or housing.

If your application for asylum has been rejected and you wish to appeal, our experienced solicitors can provide you with advice and representation at your appeal hearing.

Claiming Asylum in the UK

There are several stages to the asylum process beginning with your entry into the UK.

  • You will attend a ‘screening’ interview at either the port where you entered the UK or at the Asylum Screening Unit in Croydon (near London) where you will:
    • be interviewed by an Immigration Officer who will ask you some basic questions
    • be asked to produce any documents you may have with you
    • have your photograph and fingerprints taken (called your ‘biometric data’)
  • At this point you will either go through the Detained Fast Track process or you will be given an Application Registration Card and your asylum case will be referred to your ‘case owner’ who will deal with your case from that stage onwards
  • You may then be asked to provide evidence or documentation to support your case, which you will need to do within the set deadline

You will be expected to carefully follow any instructions given to you by your case owner and the deadlines to submit any documentation or evidence to support your asylum application are extremely strict so it is important to get good legal advice as soon as possible.

How we can help

To ensure your application has the best chance of success, our expert lawyers will provide you with the legal advice and assistance you need to prepare your application and act on any directions given by the Home Office.

We will also ensure that your rights are being met while you await a decision on your asylum application. If you are detained at any point during the time your application is being decided, we can argue for your release.

If you are granted leave to remain, we can also help you to be reunited with your family. A successful outcome to an asylum application can be wonderful news, but in cases where asylum seekers are forced to leave their families behind, it can also produce feelings of sadness. Our team is experienced in dealing with such cases and can assist clients who have had successful asylum applications to be reunited with their families in the UK.

Children seeking asylum in the UK

Unaccompanied children can also apply for asylum and their cases are expected to be handled with particular priority and concern because of their potential vulnerability. These types of cases can be complex and require extra skill and care. Please contact us for more advice.

Working with professionals

Our team accepts referrals from a wide range of public and private organisations and charities that provide support and advice to asylum seekers in the West Midlands region. If you are visiting as a representative of such an organisation, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to discuss our services with you.

Accredited Asylum Law Specialists

Our team is are accredited under the Law Society Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme. As members of the scheme, the skills and knowledge of staff have been independently assessed and they are required to remain up-to-date within the complex area of Asylum Law.

Paying for your case

Our Asylum Law team is also contracted by the Legal Aid Agency to carry out work for clients seeking asylum under public funding.

Alternatively if you do not satisfy the criteria for Legal Aid then we could assist and represent you on a private basis. If you would like to discuss your case with an Asylum Lawyer and find out more about our fixed-fee and hourly rate services, contact a member of the team who would be happy to meet you and discuss which package may be suited to your needs. An initial consultation will not cost you anything.

Speaking your language

Many of our solicitors and caseworkers are fluent in another language. Our Asylum and Immigration team includes speakers of a range of Asian languages, including Urdu, Bengali, and Punjabi. Interpreters can be arranged for all other languages.

Contact our Asylum Law team

For advice and assistance with your asylum matter contact us on 0121 328 4282 or complete the contact form and we will get back to you.