Shabana Bukhari 
In this blog readers will gain an understanding in how to access Free Immigration Advice in Birmingham without the costs.
What are pro bono immigration lawyers?
Pro bono immigration lawyers provide legal services for free. For this reason, these services are often provided by big city law firms rather than smaller law firms. They do this work in the public interest for those who are unable to afford it and where legal aid is not available to cover the costs of the legal representation.
Lawyers who undertake pro bono work do not get paid for it.
What are the benefits of a pro bono immigration lawyer’s advice?
Other than it being free of charge, which is a huge benefit to many, there are many other benefits to hiring a pro bono immigration lawyer:
- They will have a grasp on what is the best route for you and as immigration law is extremely fastest changing, they will have knowledge on all the latest developments in that area. Pro bono lawyers can guide you through which route is quickest and most likely to be a success.
- If your case is complex and requires an appeal to the immigration tribunal it is important to seek a pro bono immigration lawyer’s services. This is because it is pertinent you have someone on your behalf to prepare evidence bundles and represent you.
- They will translate complex legal terms concisely making it easily digestible for their clients who may either have no knowledge of immigration law or where English is not their native language.
How do I locate pro bono and Free Immigration Advice in Birmingham?
The easiest way to locate pro bono immigration lawyers in Birmingham is to use this website: LawWorks | The Solicitors Pro Bono Group. This is a charity which connects individuals unable to afford legal advice to pro bono lawyers in the area. They provide lists of places which have pro bono lawyers located in Birmingham available to help with your case. Also, they remind individuals to check the eligibility criteria.
Another website which can help you see pro bono immigration lawyers in Birmingham is the following: https://www.lawcentres.org.uk/about-law-centres/law-centres-on-google-maps/geographically . Here, you can either select on a Google map of the UK or type in your postcode, and a list of pro bono lawyers will be provided near you.
Finally, another link to follow: National Pro Bono Centre which again helps you connect with pro bono lawyers.
How easy is it to access Free Immigration Advice in Birmingham?
It is challenging to access free immigration legal advice as pro bono lawyers are in high demand. As stipulated above, for funding reasons, pro bono work is mostly offered by bit city firms rather than smaller firms. Moreover, one must also meet the eligibility criteria which adds another barrier to accessing free legal advice.
Instead, sometimes it is much more likely to get a free initial consultation which is useful in pointing you in the right direction with your immigration problem. A consultation is an initial meeting with an immigration lawyer which does not cost you any money. Note that not all immigration lawyers provide these initial consultations for free of charge.
Finally, you may be eligible for legal aid which helps some individuals cover part of their legal costs. To check whether you are eligible follow this link: Legal aid: Eligibility – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Note prior to this ensure that your income before tax (gross income) is £2,657 or below. If you have more than four children add an additional £222.
FAQs about how to Free Immigration Advice in Birmingham
What do pro bono lawyers do?
Other than pro bono lawyers giving their services free of charge. They also maintain a high level of accuracy when completing your application and ensure that you as the client are informed. By completing application forms this avoids a mistake which you negatively affect the success. They can provide advice on various applications and appeals with your best interests in mind and any time constraints on your part.
What websites am I able to use to locate pro bono lawyers in Birmingham?
Some websites which you can use to locate pro bono lawyers in Birmingham include LawWorks | The Solicitors Pro Bono Group, https://www.lawcentres.org.uk/about-law-centres/law-centres-on-google-maps/geographically and National Pro Bono Centre.
Where should I start when thinking about hiring a pro bono lawyer in Birmingham?
Begin by searching online or on social media for lists of ‘pro bono lawyers near me’. Once you have selected a range of lawyers in your area then you can browse their websites and reviews.
How long will it take me to find a reliable pro bono lawyer in Birmingham?
This process can be fast with some online researching and reading of reviews.
What are the benefits of a pro bono immigration lawyer’s advice?
Other than being free of charge, there are many other benefits of a pro bono immigration lawyer’s advice. These include having knowledge of the latest developments in the field of British immigration law. They will ensure that you understand complex legal terms relevant to your case.
Will my case be successful with a pro bono lawyer?
This is highly dependable as the UKVI makes the final decision on your application which a pro bono lawyer has no control over. But by ensuring that the attorney you are entrusting is experienced by doing your research online and reading reviews. Their legal advice and expertise have various benefits, such as minimising the risk of rejection and therefore increasing your chances of success compared to acting independently.
How easy is it to access Free Immigration Advice in Birmingham?
It is quite challenging to access free immigration legal advice because very few firms provide such a service, and one must meet the eligibility criteria.
What types of applications can pro bono immigration lawyers help advise me on?
Pro bono immigration lawyers can give you advice on a variety of different types of applications. These include visa queries, British citizenship applications, work permits, appeals to immigration tribunals and seeking asylum. They will assess your eligibility and give advice on which route is best suited for your needs.
Summary
In this blog, readers have learnt that pro bono lawyers provide free immigration advice and therefore their work is in high demand and often hard to access in the Birmingham area. Therefore, alternatives such as a free consultation for initial advice on your immigration problem or claiming legal aid are other ways to access legal advice at a reduced cost.
Please contact our expert team of immigration lawyers at Henleaze Law on 0117 908 4625 for advice on this matter or any other immigration law issue.
