The Bar Council recently carried out a campaign on Twitter using the hashtag #LASPOStories, where Barristers were able to share their experiences and observations of the effects of the LASPO review five years ago, which resulted in a huge reduction in the access to legal aid across all areas of law.

Our Immigration/Asylum Team provided an insight into the mass effect LASPO had on Immigration cases.

John Nicholson explains "Access to legal aid for immigration cases has been taken away for everything bar asylum cases. If you are about to be deported and cannot access legal aid what can you do? Legal aid should be automatic in those cases, but it's not."

Immigration, is not a legal area regularly mentioned when cuts to Legal Aid are discussed but an area that was hit significantly five years ago.

Immigration Barrister John Nicholson expands on this saying, "There are no good or bad migrants, just migrants and all should be treated equally under the law. Unfortunately, those who are vulnerable and have mental health issues struggle within a system where legal advice can come too late."

Further comments from Barristers were published in a Politics Home online article, read more here.

Legal 500 call Kenworthy’s specialists in immigration and human rights cases and note that members of the set are very thorough and deliver frank and pragmatic advice. If you have an Immigration Law case you need advice or advocacy for, call our Immigration Clerks Courtney Soden and Daniella Howarth on 0161 832 4036, email [email protected], [email protected] or fill out our contact form.