Law Society rejects increase to UK Immigration and Asylum fees

Immigration and asylum fees in the UK are set to increase up to 500 % despite the overwhelming opposition. The government announced that it will go ahead with the proposed changes, what can result in denying justice to many vulnerable people and leave a large number of decisions unchallenged.

The government’s plans for a 500% rise in fees to issue asylum and immigration claims will deny justice to many vulnerable people.

Home Office propose new changes of immigration and asylum fees in UK

The response to the consultation on proposals of reforming the immigration and asylum fees was published on Friday. Proposed changes may result in significant reduction in the number of appeals.

The press release announced the government’s intention to:

  • increase the fee for an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) for a decision on the papers from £80 to £490
  • increase the fee for an application to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) for an oral hearing from £140 to £800
  • introduce a fee of £455 for an application to the First-tier Tribunal for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal
  • introduce a fee of £350 for an application to the Upper Tribunal for permission to appeal in that Tribunal (where the application to First-tier Tribunal has been refused)
  • introduce an appeal fee in the Upper Tribunal of £510
  • extensions to the existing exemptions and remissions scheme that applies in the First-tier Tribunal and on whether the same scheme should apply in the Upper Tribunal

Law Society comments on proposed fee changes

The government’s plans for a five-fold rise in fees to issue asylum and immigration claims will deny justice to many vulnerable people. As a result, the Home Office’s ‘erroneous’ decisions might be left unchallenged, lawyers said on Friday.

The Law Society called on MPs to reject the planned changes in immigration and asylum fees, describing the proposal as being potentially unlawful.

The Society’s president, Robert Bourns, said that

‘the Ministry of Justice’s decision to proceed with these punitive increases-despite all the warnings about how they will hamper access to justice – is a huge setback for justice in the UK.’

Bourns also claimed that the move would “disproportionately” affect groups already vulnerable to discrimination.

‘We fear that the fee increases unlawfully discriminate, because they are likely to fall disproportionately on those with protected characteristics as defined by the Equalities Act.’

Successful UK Visa Applications and Appeal Solicitors

Our team of experienced and professionally qualified immigration solicitors and barristers will be able to guide you through the process of making an application step by step and limit the possibility of failure by complying with the strict letter of law.

We also undertake a great deal of appeal work before the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal and have a successful track record of successful results for our clients. We have the experience and the knowledge required to take your case forward successfully. If you have had an application refused, contact us to discuss your case so that we can provide you with a case assessment.

Contact us so that we can review your case and provide you with an assessment.

We are based in the legal epicentre of London, just across the road from the Royal Courts of Justice in order to ensure we get the best results for our clients.  We are minutes away from the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal, the Royal Courts of Justice and other central London courts.

If you need professional legal advice please contact us for a case assessment on 02030110276. You can also reach us via our WebChat facility or via our contact form. Please note that we are not able to provide any free legal advice.

 

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