resources for fighting the crisis in immigration advice
Cuts to legal aid funding have created a severe shortage of immigration lawyers in Greater Manchester. Those who can access a lawyer all too often report being let down. Denying people access to justice is a plank of the Hostile Environment and a key driver of destitution.
This is a page for resources for organisations to fight back against the crisis and empower those you're working with knowledge and solidarity.
If you have any additional resources you think we should include, contact us at info@migrantdestitution.co.uk.
“No one gave advice. No one is helping you, telling you what to do – you’re alone.”
working with lawyers
Finding a lawyer is just the beginning of the story: it's important to have ownership over your case, work as a team with your lawyer, and know how to hold them to account.
Read "What to expect from an immigration lawyer", a handout from Ryan, solicitor at GMIAU to find out about:
- The key importance of the initial client care letter for setting expectations and holding the lawyer to account (see here for an example)
- The need to work as a team with your lawyer: "The lawyer knows the law; you know your life and what happened to you. Both matter."
- The importance of complaining about poor practice, especially if it's damaged your case...
- ...but the need for caution, as an unjustified complaint could lead to the lawyer dropping your case.
- How to challenge a lawyer's decision to withdraw legal aid.
- The requirement for private lawyers to be transparent about fees.
See also this list of helpful links and contacts.
confirming immigration status (section 3c leave)
Applied for an extension or change to leave to remain before it expired? Ryan has created a tool which drafts a letter you can give to an employer, landlord, bank or anyone who needs to understand your status while you wait for a decision from the Home Office: https://section3c.immigration.fyi/
N.B. This tool is general information, not legal advice. Check the details are correct for your situation before you send the letter. If you are unsure, get advice from a regulated immigration adviser.
using the Right to Remain Toolkit
The Right to Remain Toolkit is a valuable free resource, available in different languages, for anyone navigating the immigration and asylum system, as well as people supporting them. It contains expert, up-to-date, detailed information about the legal system and procedures.
- For those navigating the system without a lawyer, the information in the Toolkit will empower you with knowledge, helping you understand where you are in the system, what actions you need to take, and what options you have.
- Even if you have a lawyer, this resource will help you take ownership of the case and check the lawyer is doing what they should be doing.
- If you're a volunteer or staff in an organisation, this resource will help you stand in solidarity by providing legal support, without risking giving unregulated advice (see this part of the Toolkit on the difference between legal support and legal advice).
To get fliers to promote the Toolkit within your organisation, contact esther(at)righttoremain.org.uk or maggy(at)righttoremain.org.uk.
Right to Remain run regular events on different parts of the Toolkit, or you can request a bespoke workshop for your organisation on using the Toolkit here.
They also have a Legal Updates blog, where they keep track of policy developments, and explain in clear language what they mean for people in our communities. You can subscribe for updates here.
speaking out for access to justice
The legal aid crisis is the result of policy choices that function as part of the Hostile Environment. The artificially created shortage of immigration advice denies access to justice and forces people into destitution. Many find themselves trapped in destitution for years while they struggle for a fair hearing.
It doesn't have to be like this. Better access to legal advice is a key plank of our End Destitution campaign.
And nationally, Migrants Organise is leading the campaign for better access to justice. The campaign, connecting people who've been denied access to justice, lawyers, community groups, charities and social justice workers to call for access to justice for all; a well-resourced and sustainable legal aid infrastructure; and a life of dignity, without the Hostile Environment.
Watch the campaign video here.
This community pressure works - in 2024, the Ministry of Justice finally pledged to increase legal aid funding. It was an important win, but it was too little, too late - and the campaign goes on.
If your organisation is sick of fire-fighting the legal aid crisis, you can get involved in the campaign, whether by sharing your experiences of navigating the legal aid crisis with Migrants Organise, or by engaging your local MP. Contact us at info@migrantdestitution.co.uk and we will put you in touch!
If you're working with people who've been denied access to justice and want to speak out - they can get involved with Migrants Organise's Hope and Justice Collective to organise for change.