Post by jman on Oct 25, 2011 20:15:23 GMT 1
Article in Solicitors Journal today 25.10.11 on the effect of legal aid cuts on victims of human trafficking. Extract and link to full article
"Legal aid cuts 'will force victims of human trafficking to claim asylum'
25 October 2011
Victims of human trafficking who end up in the UK could be forced to claim asylum to stay in the country, the general secretary of the Immigration Law Practitioners Group has warned.
Alison Harvey said asylum claims would continue to be publicly funded under the legal aid bill, but other immigration cases would not, apart from those involving detention or questions of national security.
“If you say you cannot go back because you will be persecuted, your case will stay in scope,” Harvey said. “If you say there is no danger to me but I do not want to go back because I have a relationship here, your case will not be covered.
“An example would be many of the domestic worker cases, where very few are in danger of persecution in their countries of origin.”
Harvey said legal aid was also being removed from appeals before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
She said victims of human trafficking had been getting compensation for injuries and abuse inflicted by convicted traffickers.
“Without legal advice they would not know about compensation,” Harvey said. “It’s often a very lengthy process. They are going to struggle.”................."
Rest at link below
www.solicitorsjournal.com/story.asp?sectioncode=2&storycode=19128&c=1
"Legal aid cuts 'will force victims of human trafficking to claim asylum'
25 October 2011
Victims of human trafficking who end up in the UK could be forced to claim asylum to stay in the country, the general secretary of the Immigration Law Practitioners Group has warned.
Alison Harvey said asylum claims would continue to be publicly funded under the legal aid bill, but other immigration cases would not, apart from those involving detention or questions of national security.
“If you say you cannot go back because you will be persecuted, your case will stay in scope,” Harvey said. “If you say there is no danger to me but I do not want to go back because I have a relationship here, your case will not be covered.
“An example would be many of the domestic worker cases, where very few are in danger of persecution in their countries of origin.”
Harvey said legal aid was also being removed from appeals before the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
She said victims of human trafficking had been getting compensation for injuries and abuse inflicted by convicted traffickers.
“Without legal advice they would not know about compensation,” Harvey said. “It’s often a very lengthy process. They are going to struggle.”................."
Rest at link below
www.solicitorsjournal.com/story.asp?sectioncode=2&storycode=19128&c=1