How to find other legal representation
Asylum-seekers have a right to access free legal advice funded by the Legal Services Commission. Asylum seekers do not have to pay to receive such advice. Asylum seekers also have a right to complain about the service you receive if you are not satisfied.
The Legal Services Commission funds solicitors and not-for-profit organisations to provide free legal advice (also called ‘legal aid’) to people who are seeking asylum in England and Wales. A person’s financial means must be assessed before they can receive legal aid. Most asylum-seekers are eligible for legal aid because they are not allowed to work.
The Legal Services Commission has telephone line (0845 345 4 345) and a website to help people find a legal adviser. It also publishes a directory of organisations that are funded to provide free legal advice. If you live in Scotland the Scottish Legal Aid Board provides similar services.
There is also a list of accredited legal advisers on the websites of the Law Society and the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).
If you are having difficulty finding a solicitor or legal adviser close to you, the following not-for-profit legal advisers may be able to help you:
Immigration Advisory Service see their website for details of their advice lines or call 020 7967 1200
Refugee Legal Centre see their website for details of their advice lines or call 020 7780 3200
Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants see their website for details of their advice lines or call 020 7251 8708
Please also read details of Asylum Aid’s Advice Line.
If your legal representative tells you that they cannot continue to represent you because your case does not meet the ‘merits test’ (meaning it is not considered to have a 50 per cent or more chance of success), they should also give you details of how you can appeal against this decision to the Legal Services Commission Funding Review Committee if you disagree.
If you are not happy with the quality of advice that you have received, you can make a complaint. The Law Society deals with complaints about solicitors firms and the OISC regulates non-solicitor firms including the not-for-profit sector.