Shabana Bukhari 
In this blog, you’ll discover how to access professional support during asylum cases by searching for ‘Legal Aid Asylum Solicitors Near Me.’ Learn how to connect with legal aid asylum solicitors in your area and get the assistance you need.
What is legal aid and am I eligible for it?
Legal aid was created by the government to aid those who are unable to afford legal help due to financial strain. It is key that individuals gain access to justice and so legal aid ensures this by helping individuals cover some or all their legal costs.
Although following the implementation of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 there was reduction in civil legal aid available for British immigration law matters. For our purposes in this blog, asylum cases are the few which legal aid continues to cover.
Whether you are eligible for immigration legal aid for asylum cases depends on the case you have and financial circumstances you are under. The easiest way to see whether you pass under this eligibility criteria is to follow this link: Legal aid: Eligibility – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Once you have answered all the questions you will be given an accurate eligibility answer.
What can legal aid asylum solicitors help you with?
Legal aid asylum solicitors can help applicants with a range of things, some of these include:
- Handling your asylum case and providing advice on the strength of it..
- How to make applications for legal aid and the likeliness that you will be able to secure such financial aid.
- Organise and book your asylum interview on your behalf.
- Represent you if you are appealing an asylum application.
- At any point during your asylum claim you may be detained by the UK authorities and so your asylum solicitor can help you with being released.
What information do I need to disclose to my asylum solicitor?
There is various key information you must disclose to your asylum solicitor as this will help them prepare your case and provide you with the most accurate advice possible:
- The reason for leaving your country of nationality to come to the UK.
- The way in which you travelled to the UK.
- If you are fearful of having to return to your country of nationality and the reason behind this fear.
- Any documents you have provided to UKVI.
What are the eligibility requirements for claiming asylum in the UK?
According to the Home Office the eligibility requirements for claiming asylum in the UK are as followed:
- You are prevented from living safely in your country of nationality because of the fear of persecution on grounds of either race, religion, nationality, political opinion, gender identity or sexual orientation.
- You are unable to receive protection from state authorities in your country of nationality.
However, your application for asylum is likely to be rejected if:
- Your country of nationality is in the EU.
- You travelled to the UK through a ‘safe third country’ which you are not a citizen of or would not pose a harm to you.
- You have a connection to a ‘safe third country’, other than the UK, where you have the possibility of claiming asylum.
How to locate legal aid asylum solicitors near you?
If you have just arrived in the UK, you can use the asylum helpline here: Asylum helplines – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Phone the number which is available through the link to help discuss your first steps in locating an asylum solicitor in your area.
Then you may have to search by yourself to find a solicitor. Use the following link to find trusted British immigration solicitors which can aid you with your asylum application: Find an immigration adviser: Search for an adviser – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Finally, for overall information on UK asylum applications use the government’s website: Seek protection or asylum – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Once you have selected your asylum solicitor to aid you in your application, they will be able to explain everything to you and what evidence you may need to submit in support. They will also be able to answer questions about necessary legal aid and how this will cover their legal fees.
FAQs about ‘Legal Aid Asylum Solicitors Near me’
What is asylum?
Asylum is where those who flee their country of nationality as a refugee can come to the UK or any other ‘safe third country’ for state protection.
What are the eligibility requirements for UK asylum?
The broad eligibility requirements for UK asylum include being prevented from living safely in your country of nationality because of the fear of persecution on grounds of either race, religion, nationality, political opinion, gender identity or sexual orientation. Importantly, you must also be unable to receive protection from state authorities in your country of nationality.
What is a ‘safe third country’?
A ‘safe third country’ is one which you are not a citizen of or would not pose a harm to you.
What is legal aid?
Legal aid is designed to aid those who are unable to afford legal help due to financial strain. It is key that individuals get access to justice and so legal aid ensures this by helping individuals cover some or all their legal costs.
What key factor do I need to think about when considering my eligibility for legal aid?
The key factor that you must think about when considering my eligibility for legal aid is your financial circumstances. This is because when applying you will have to answer many questions on your gross and disposable income or capital.
In my UK asylum application am I able to add my family?
Yes, in your asylum application you may add your partner and children. However, please note that your children must be under the age of 18 to be considered ‘dependents’ under your application.
If my application for asylum is successful, can I bring my family?
Yes, if your asylum application is successful, you can bring your family with you if they were named on your application. They can stay in the UK for as long as you can.
status they must make their own separate claim for asylum. This is because refugee status is unable to be gained through someone else’s application.Will my family dependents also get refugee status?
No, your family dependents whom you name on your application will not get refugee status. Instead, for them to gain refugee
How long will it take me to find an Legal Aid Asylum Solicitors Near Me?
This process can be fast with some online researching and reading of reviews. However, others prefer to contact many attorneys in their area and get information on fees first. Note that the latter is a potentially lengthier process.
Summary
In this blog readers have learnt the ways in which to connect with legal aid asylum solicitors in your area for professional support during asylum cases.
Please contact our expert team of immigration lawyers at Henleaze Law on 0117 908 4625 for advice on UK asylum applications and legal aid matters.
