Asylum: Legal Opinion

(asked on 23rd March 2020) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on applicants being able to access timely legal advice on their asylum cases, if her Department will temporarily suspend the issuing of decisions to refuse asylum applications.


Answered by
Chris Philp Portrait
Chris Philp
Minister of State (Home Office)
This question was answered on 21st April 2020

Asylum Operations have put in place the appropriate measures to safeguard our people and those using our services against the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus. We are continuing to make decisions on cases where we have already interviewed the claimant, or we have sufficient information to allow us to make a decision.

We remain committed to ensuring that all asylum seekers are given the opportunity to consult a legal representative, so that those who are seeking protection, can access good quality immigration advice from qualified legal representatives, to ensure their asylum claim is presented properly and in a timely manner.

We will continue to review the situation in light of COVID-19 and our approach may change as things develop further. Asylum Operations may have to limit the services provided, but will seek to ensure the most vulnerable are protected and prioritised.

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