Immigration and asylum

Immigration funding applications

Our National Immigration and Asylum Team (NIAT) process applications for legal aid for immigration and asylum cases.

NIAT processes all applications for:

• Full Representation
• Controlled Legal Representation
• Review of a refusal/withdrawal of Controlled Legal Representation
• An extension of the Upper Cost Limit.

An enquiry line is available to providers and members of the public.

The number to call is 0207 718 8091.

Fax urgent applications to 0207 718 8092.

Email queries to immigration-queries@legalservices.gsi.gov.uk

List of contract holders

Update on Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre

HMP Morton Hall was re-opened as an Immigration Removal Centre (IRC), in May 2011. This was only announced by the Justice Minsiter in Jan 2011 which meant we did not have enough time to undertake a tender process.

As all advice surgeries at IRCs are delivered under exclusive schedules, we had set up interim arrangements with current exclusive providers while we establish demand at the centre and how best to meet the need for legal advice in the longer term.

This arrangement has been extended from 1 February until 30 April 2012 while we determine whether we have enough data to inform a tender for services. Since its opening on 16 May 2011, Morton Hall work has been exclusive as per Para 8.6 of the Standard Civil Contract 2010 Immigration Specification.

The list of providers who can undertake legal surgeries at the centre can be found under the related documents section.

Immigration Accreditation

The Law Society runs the Immigration & Asylum Accreditation Scheme (IAAS) and is responsible for:

• setting the standards against which assessments are made
• the assessment process

Full guidance on the IAAS is on the Law Society's website.

The Law Society maintains the register of solicitors who have successfully completed the assessments for accredited, senior and advanced caseworkers.

Contact the Law Society with any accreditation queries.

The IAAS Work Restrictions can be found on the right  hand side of this page.

Last updated: 01 February 2012