The following are general news/background information/links on matters which may be of interest.
It should be noted that any comments expressed on this page are simply general in nature and should not be read as legal advice of any kind.
Please bookmark this page as it is updated on regular basis.
6 December 2011: British Embassy Closure in Iran update: We have now received the following update from the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi:
Dear Solicitors
Thank you for your email dated 01/12/2011.
The visa application centre at the British Embassy in Tehran is closed until further notice. We are currently unable to accept or process visa applications from Iranian nationals in Tehran wishing to travel to the UK.
Applications already submitted in Tehran are not currently being progressed. We will inform applicants as soon as possible about arrangements for retrieval of documents. Please continue to check www.ukiniran.fco.gov.uk for updates.
Please be aware that due to the circumstances it may not be possible to process visa applications within our published customer service standards.
For further information about new visa applications, please visit the UK Border Agency website:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2011/november/67-tehran-vac#
Alternative arrangements for visa applicants
Iranian nationals wishing to submit an application for a visit visa only can do so at any visa application centre worldwide.
Iranian nationals, who normally live in Iran, may submit applications for all visa categories at the following visa application centre in United Arab Emirates and Turkey:
· United Arab Emirates - Dubai and Abu Dhabi
· Turkey - Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa and Gaziantep
All applications must be submitted online and attendance at the visa application centre is by pre-booked online appointment only. It is mandatory for visa applicants in Turkey to pay for their applications online.
Please be aware that due to the circumstances it may not be possible to process visa applications within our published customer service standards.
Further information can be found on the United Arab Emirates and Turkey pages of the UKBA website.
For allowed appeals applicant has to travel to Abu Dhabi for submission of passports.
Regards
Visa Enquiry Desk 02 | International Group | UK Border Agency | British Embassy | Abu Dhabi
1 December 2011: On 30 November 2011, the British Government announced the closure of the British Embassy in Tehran, Iran. This means that Iranian nationals living in Iran can no longer apply for visas to come to the UK from within Iran itself. They will now need to make their applications from outside Iran.
It should also be noted that existing applications which were awaiting a decision, will now also not be considered further. It is, at present, not clear whether existing applicants can or cannot contact the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi so to pick up their decisions from their or not. At the moment, we assume that this would not be possible and that fresh applications will need to be made. We will update this site as soon as the position has been clarified with the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. We have made a request for clarification from them and are waiting for their response.
In the meantime, here is a copy of the notice which has been put on the Tehran's British Embassy's website:
30 November 2011
Visa section is closed until further notice.The visa application centre at the British Embassy in Tehran is closed until further notice. UKBA are currently unable to accept or process visa applications from Iranian nationals in Tehran wishing to travel to the UK.
Applications already submitted in Tehran are not currently being progressed.
Alternative arrangements for visa applicants Iranian nationals wishing to submit an application for a visit visa only can do so at any visa application centre worldwide.
Iranian nationals, who normally live in Iran, may submit applications for all visa categories at the following visa application centres in Abu Dhabi and Turkey:
All applications must be submitted online and attendance at the visa application centres is by pre-booked online appointment only. It is mandatory for visa applicants in Turkey to pay for their applications online.
Further information can be found on the UKBA website.
14 Nov 2009: Legacy Policy Update: Further to the 10 Nov 2009 update (please see below), the Home Office is now indicating to us that their aim is to consider and make decisions on fresh claims/fresh representation cases which are submitted in Liverpool, within 15 working days.
If this turns out to be accurate, it good be a positive development for those who have a valid fresh claim and/or fresh repesentations to submit to the Home Office.
We are monitoring developments and will be updating this site on regular basis. In the meantime, please see below as to how the new procedure works and what you should do, if you qualify under the Legacy Policy.
10 Nov 2009: Important Changes to How Fresh Claims and Representations should be submitted to the Home Office under the current Legacy Scheme
This relates to all asylum applicants who entered the UK and claimed asylum before 5 March 2009.
The Home Office has changed it procedures and therefore such applicants can no longer submit their fresh claims or representations by post. They must now make an appointment and attend the Home Office's specific department in Liverpool to personally hand in their fresh claims and/or representations. Information about this new system can be found on the Home Office's own website at:
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/asylum/info-sheet-fs/sheet.pdf?view=Binary
Applicants who fall within this new system are STRONGLY advised not to call the Home Office and make an appointment without first seeking proper legal advice.
It is very IMPORTANT to note that the Legacy Policy is not an amnesty and thus by just making an appointment and attending the Home Office in Liverpool, the applicant is not going to be granted permission to stay in the UK. Applicants should also note that the Home Office itself does caution individuals that by attending for their appointments they may be detained. Applicants are therefore advised to exercise extreme caution.
Unfortunately, in the last 2-3 weeks this new Home Office procedure has led some to think that they must call the Home Office immediately and make an appointment in order for their case to be considered and accepted quickly by the Home Office under the Legacy Policy. This is INCORRECT.
The best course of action is therefore firstly to consider whether there are sufficient grounds for making a fresh claim and/or fresh representations. If there are such grounds, then one must prepare the evidence and representations carefully and comprehensively before making an appointment with the Home Office.
On the other hand, if there are no grounds for making a fresh claim and/or representations, the best advice is to do nothing and not to contact the Home Office for an appointment, which could itself further damage one's case and one's chances of ultimate success under the Legacy Policy.
For further information on your own specific circumstances, you can make an appointment to see Mr Behbahani by sending an email to: info@behbahani.co.uk . Please ensure that you type "Legacy Query" in the subject box of your email. We also require the following information from you:
Full Name:
Date of Arrival in UK:
Nationality:
Mobile Number:
Your Location (name of city where you are living in UK):
Please note that, at present, appointments may be available in London, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Newport, Cardiff and Bristol.
13 July 2008: Home Office Legacy Policy Update: Since June 2008, the Home Office has started to notify certain individuals when their cases are being actively considered by the Home Office under the so called 'Legacy Policy' or 'Case Resolution Directorate's' mandate.
However it is important to note that certain individuals will not be notified. These are cases where:
- the Home Office considers that there is evidence of serious criminality (this is likely to include most convictions which have led to a prison sentence);
- the Home Office considers that there is a serious risk of the person absconding;
- the Home Office considers that removal or deportation is planned or is imminent;
- the Home Office considers that it is clear that the consideration of the case will result in the individual being granted permission to remain in the UK
Therefore, unless the individual is excluded, he/she should receive written communication from the Home Office, to inform him/her tha their case is about to be considered by the Home Office under the Legacy Policy.
It is important to note that the individual may or may not be sent a questionnaire. The Home Office no longer uses questionnaires for all Legacy Cases. The Home Office has made it clear that it will not send a questionnaire if the Home Office team or caseworker dealing with the individual's case feels that they have sufficient information on the file to make a decision under the Legacy Policy.
Whether the individual is informed either by letter or by being sent a questionnaire, he/she should be given 21 days from the date of the Home Office's letter to submit any further information which he/she would like the Home Office to consider.
This procedure is intended to simply matters and make it easier for individuals to ascertain when and how their case is being or is to be considered by the Home Office under the Legacy Policy.
HOWEVER, it does seem that it would be unwise to assume that the Home Office will give everyone 21 days to submit further evidence. The best course of action is, therefore, to submit any new evidence/information as soon as the evidence/information is available so that when the individual's case is eventually called up for consideration by the Home Office, the information is already on the Home Office's file awaiting consideration.
Finally, it is also important to note that the Home Office has now arranged for a procedure whereby individuals can contact the Home Office directly so to check to see if the Home Office is currently aware of their case as a Legacy Case. The telephone number is: 0870 606 7766 and the lines are open Mondays-Thursdays from 9.00am to 16.45pm and 16.30pm on Fridays.
Individuals are therefore advised to make use of this contact facility so to check whether their case is being recognised as a Legacy Case or not.
Given that the Legacy Policy is NOT an amnesty and therefore there is no certainty that the Home Office will grant leave to remain in an individual case, individuals should exercise caution and seek proper legal advice as to how to proceed once they have received confirmation from the Home Office's telephone enquiry line as to the current status of their case.
11 July 2008: Home Office Legacy Policy Update: There will be a significant Legacy Policy Update published on this Website on 13 July 2008.
20 April 2008: Home Office Legacy Policy Update: The Home Office has stated that they may now not send Questionnaires to all those whose cases qualify for consideration under the Legacy Programme. They suggest that this will depend on the information which they have available on their file at the time. Therefore, it does seem that, the best approach may well be for individuals whose cases do fall under the Programme to ensure that they have made up to date representations to the Home Office either by way of fresh claims for asylum or simply representations updating the Home Office of their circumstances and therefore they should not wait for a Questionnaire to be sent to them automatically.
13 April 2008: Home Office Legacy Policy Update: The Home Office has made the following statement in some of its most recent correspondence regarding its Legacy Programme's current state of progress: "We are aiming to resolve these cases by summer 2011 and are on track to do so. The number of cases being concluded is rising. By the end of November 2007 we had resolved around 52,000 cases- 29,000 of these in the period from July to November- and we are continuing to raise our performance. Of the 52,000 cases, around 1/3 (16,000) have been removed, conclusively demonstrating that there is no 'amnesty policy', and around a further 1/3 have been closed for example because they have been identified as a data error or duplicate. Around another 1/3 have been given a positive decision".
It is not clear exactly how accurate the above assertion is by the Home Office. However, assuming that it is accurate, it does indicate that there is a further 10% which the Home Office has not accounted for in its breakdown of results as asserted above. It also shows that a large number of cases are being randomly closed because of 'data error'. It therefore shows the importance of ensuring that the Home Office has the correct up to date information at all times of anyone who may possibly benefit under the Policy.
The figures also show that the receipt of the Questionnaire does not mean that the decision made by the Home Office will be positive. A large number of people, according to these figures (1/3) have been removed. One must therefore be very careful as to what exactly the scope of the Policy in practice may well be by the Home Office!
There will be a further Home Office Legacy Policy Update published on this website on 20 April 2008.
13 April 2008: UN dismay as Tribunal allows British expulsions
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/apr/13/immigrationpolicy.iraq
13 April 2008: Pirates can claim UK asylum
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article3736239.ece
11 April 2008: What happens if your neighbours are too loud - whatever they do?
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article3724285.ece
10 April 2008: Home Office Legacy Policy Update: There is now real concern about certain advisors (qualified and unqualified) taking money from asylum seekers so to complete photocopied Legacy Questionnaires for individuals whose cases have not as yet been called up for consideration by the Home Office. This is an absolutely wrong approach and asylum applicants are urged not to fall victim of such schemes, which could seriously prejudice their chances of having their case properly considered by the Home Office.
The correct approach is to wait for the Home Office to send to the individual asylum applicant or his/her representative a Questionnaire which has been specifically sent for that particular individual. The Home Office has undertaken to eventually send Questionnaires for ALL those whose cases fall within the scope of the Legacy Policy and have their cases considered by summer 2011. It is therefore a question of waiting.
The disappointing consequences of completing and submitting a photocopy version of the Questionnaire can be illustrated by the following case example. Mr A paid an unqualified advisor the sum of £300 for his services of providing Mr A with an unauthorised photocopy of the Questionnaire and completing it on his behalf. The advisor took Mr A's money and completed the form incorrectly and sent it to the Home Office. The Home Office initially ignored the contents of the form but then subsequently, when Mr A's case was called up for consideration, they sent another Questionnaire to Mr A requesting its completion. Mr A asked the unqualified advisor to assist him again and the advisor did so by repeating the contents of the previous Questionnaire. The Home Office refused to grant Mr A leave to remain under the Legacy Policy and in its refusal letter it specifically referred to Mr A's previous unauthorised Questionnaire. This case shows the potentials of missing out on a possible opportunity to regularise one's stay in the UK by falling victim of an advisor who clearly was seeking to simply financially benefit from Mr A rather than represent his best interest.
In conclusion, asylum claimants who fall within the Legacy Policy are strongly advised to seek proper legal representation if they have any queries and should not under any circumstances agree to pay any individual any money to complete and submit a photocopy Questionnaire which has not been specifically sent by the Home Office for their individual case.
There will be a further Legacy Policy Update published on this website on 13 April 2008.
9 April 2008: Home Office Legacy Policy Update: There will be a full update posted on this site on 10 April 2008. This will include ALL the latest information received from the Home Office and observations of outcomes thus far.
25 Mar 2008: Why we kiss, laugh, yawn and cry
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/features/article3611964.ece
25 Mar 2008: Biometric travel documents
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/biometrictraveldocs
28 Jan 2008: From today, feel free to download another 25 million songs - legally
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3261591.ece
28 Jan 2008: How do you drink yours?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3260043.ece
25 Jan 2008: Mortgage approvals hit by credit crunch
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/property_and_mortgages/
20 Jan 2008: Home Office Legacy Policy update: A large number of people who were sent Legacy Questionnaires last year, are still awaiting a decision from the Home Office. The Home Office has indicated that it is trying to resolve these questions by the end of February 2008. In the meantime, it does appear that no further Questionnaires have been sent out. There however remains a large cycle of rumours that the Home Office is essentially about to grant a large number of people permission to remain in the UK, however, the Home Office has denied such a plan and has maintained that it intends to consider each case individually. Therefore, the recent news reports in the Daily Mail and Daily Express remain unconfirmed.
20 Jan 2008: Savers hit by new property fund plunge
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2008/jan/20/savings.property
20 Jan 2008: House prices tumble
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/
20 Jan 2008: Security guards hired to spy on illegal migrants
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article3216808.ece
20 Jan 2008: Mobile phone radiation wrecks your sleep
http://news.independent.co.uk/sci_tech/article3353768.ece
14 Jan 2008: Ten point plan for border protection and immigration reform - first milestone met as fingerprint checks go global
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/tenpointplan
4 Jan 2008: What will be hot in 2008!
http://arts.independent.co.uk/music/features/article3305812.ece
19 Nov 2007: Buy-to-let crisis hits UK housing plans
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a51773da-961c-11dc-b7ec-0000779fd2ac.html?nclick_check=1
16 Nov 2007: An American judge who called for a coin toss to decide a family dispute finds himself tossed from the bench
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2882090.ece
14 Nov 2007: Government wins Darfur appeal
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2870908.ece
14 Nov 2007: Border controls boosted by new technology and unified structure
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/bordercontrolsboosted
13 Nov 2007:Changes to student rules
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/atas
1 Nov 2007: Points Based System- English Tests
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/pbs_englishlanguagetests
31 Oct 2007: Ministers ignored calls to improve migration figures
http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,,2202145,00.html
30 Oct 2007: Home Office Legacy Casework Policy Update: A number of people who had received questionnaires and had completed and returned them to the Home Office have received positive decisions. A number have also received letters from their local council inviting them to attend an appointment to discuss their housing needs which also suggests that they are about to receive positive decision from the Home Office. This is very good news for those who have received positive decisions, but there are still many people who are awaiting receipt of questionnaires from the Home Office. It should also be pointed out that not everyone who has submitted their questionnaires has received positive decisions.
30 Oct 2007: Labour plans migrants points system
http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/story/0,,2201692,00.html
30 Oct 2007: Mystery of why German soldiers use 10 rolls a day
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2767051.ece
30 Oct 2007: Robert Fisk: King Abdullah flies in to lecture us on terrorism
29 Oct 2007: A royal guest to be proud of?
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article3106888.ece
29 Oct 2007: House price gloom as the wealthy turn away
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/property_and_mortgages/
26 Oct 2007: Female finance chief who stole for life of luxury is jailed
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2746099.ece
25 Oct 2007: The Law Explored: motive
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/columnists/gary_slapper/article2739118.ece
24 Oct 2007: Call for tender for the European Integration Fund
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/callfortender_europeanfund
23 Oct 2007: Stop and search and don’t feel ashamed
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/libby_purves/article2719454.ece
22 Oct 2007: Minister to tell MPs 'no evidence' to support change in abortion law
22 Oct 2007: Asylum-seekers 'are left to starve' in Britain
20 Oct 2007: Employment law may apply to God's work
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article2695970.ece
19 Oct 2007: Allianz to fund UK court cases
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2688587.ece
19 Oct 2007: EU strikes deal on new reform treaty
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/c290a232-7dd1-11dc-9f47-0000779fd2ac.html
18 Oct 2007: Lawyers take MoD to court over Iraqi mutilation claims
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2193429,00.html
18 Oct 2007: UK house market is ‘heading for crash’
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/property
_and_mortgages/article2681755.ece
17 Oct 2007: The Law Explored: politicians' lies
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/columnists/gary_slapper/article2673121.ece
16 Oct 2007: Byrne heralds new balance in migration policy
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/byrneheraldsnewbalance
15 Oct 2007: The human cordon that protects human rights lawyers
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2665733.ece
14 Oct 2007: A leaked Home Office memo according to this news report suggests that there may be an amnesty for 1000s of people in the UK
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/14/nasylum114.xml
12 Oct 2007: Home Office Legacy Policy Update: There is very little to provide by way of update and the situation remains very much the same as previous updates. Nearly all those who have, thus far, been sent Questionnaires and have completed them are still awaiting some sort of decision from the Home Office. The postal strike has no doubt added to the delay and the stress of waiting.
As always, this site will be updated as soon as there are any further developments.
12 Oct 207: Robert Fisk: A reign of terror which history has chosen to neglect
11 Oct 2007: Can the judges trust Jack Straw?
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/columnists/article2638295.ece
10 Oct 2007: The Law Explored: the Scopes monkey trial
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/columnists/gary_slapper/article2629135.ece
9 Oct 2007: Who has the best human rights job?
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2613719.ece
8 Oct 2007: Mobile phone cancer risk 'higher for children'
8 Oct 2007: European court to rule on UK disability discrimination ban
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2185806,00.html
7 Oct 2007: Public health: The hidden menace of mobile phones
5 Oct 2007: Why family lawyers want an overhaul of the divorce laws
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2595064.ece
5 Oct 2007: Home Office: Postal Strike and leave to remain applications
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/royalmailstrike
3 Oct 2007: Diana crash photos - as released to the inquest
3 Oct 2007:Conservatives and the plan for limits on immigration
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/tory2007/story/0,,2182405,00.html
3 Oct 2007: Was Diana’s death part of a secret plot?
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2567113.ece
2 Oct 2007: The callous hypocrisy of our asylum system
2 Oct 2007: How much should you tip?
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/the_way_we_live/article2568233.ece
2 Oct 2007: Chaos in the control room!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2567496.ece
1 Oct 2007: Promise of further protection for savers
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2180661,00.html
1 Oct 2007: Pledge to cut inheritance tax
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7021357.stm
30 Sept 2007: Now is the good time to invest in gold!
http://money.independent.co.uk/personal_finance/invest_save/article3013024.ece
30 Sept 2007: Property investment is not currently easy money
http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/investment/article2543247.ece
28 Sept 2007: Lawyers to represent MI6 Diana Inquest
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2547659.ece
28 Sept 2007: At last a greater protection for the elderly
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2550392.ece
27 Sept 2007: Do try this at home
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/article2538281.ece
27 Sept 2007: Phil Spector free after mistrial
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article2540397.ece
27 Sept 2007: Urgent Review of Self Defence laws
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7015502.stm
26 Sept 2007: Burma: The world watches
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/asia/article2998903.ece
26 Sept 2007: Immigration- 'On the Margins'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/immigration/story/0,,2177239,00.html
25 Sept 2007: Straw: Lega aid bill has come down
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2530554.ece
24 Sept 2007: Calls to adopt aspects of US class actions
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2525006.ece
19 Sept 2007: DNA evidence is far from foolproof
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/magnus_linklater/article2485556.ece
18 Sept 2007: How to avoid handing a large portion of your treasure to the Treasury
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2473399.ece
17 Sept 2007: Home Office Legacy Update: It appears that the Home Office has started sending out questionnaires again to a number of people that qualify under its Legacy Policy. These are again being posted to applicants directly to their last known address.
17 Sept 2007: More pain for UK home owners
17 Sept 2007: "Without Prejudice"
http://media.guardian.co.uk/mediaguardian/story/0,,2170504,00.html
17 Sept 2007: Judges face work assessment by their peers
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2469208.ece
15 Sept 2007: Hint that the 12 year house prices boom is over
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5c2ac6e2-62bc-11dc-b3ad-0000779fd2ac.html
14 Sept 2007: Life inside Zimbabwe exposed
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6990000/newsid_6993800/6993823.stm?bw=bb&mp=rm&news=1&ms3=4
14 Sept 2007: UN asked by Google to protect privacy on the internet
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2007/sep/14/news.google
13 Sept 2007: House prices show sign of falling
http://business.guardian.co.uk/houseprices/story/0,,2167854,00.html
13 Sept 2007: Judges attack hate campaign
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/men/article2441823.ece
13 Sept 2007: Unlimited fines for employment agencies
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2441604.ece
12 Sept 2007: Home Office Policy Update: This is a link to a relevant page on the Home Office's own website. It more or less confirms the information thus far stated on this website. It is important to note its comment that the legacy casework scheme is not an amnesty.
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/asylum/caseresolutionprogammefaqs/
12 Sept 207: Sisters claim that tax rules give better rights to lesbians- The European Human Rights Court to decide
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2434243.ece
12 Sept 2007: The 'proxy war' with Iran.
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2953462.ece
9 Sept 2007: Home Office Legacy Policy Update: Unfortunately, the Home Office is still refusing to outline the details of its Legacy Casework Policy, and therefore confusion and uncertainty remains. However, based on the information available, the previous news/commentaries on this website remain the most accurate guidance currently available.
It appears that there have not been any further mailings of questionnaires by the Home Office since the end of June mail outs of 1000s of questionnaires. Therefore, those who would like to receive these questionnaires should not panic. The Home Office has indicated that it intends to, over a period of time, send questionnaires to all asylum claimants who fall within the legacy criteria.
What is now certainly clear is that, the policy is not some sort of amnesty or concession. There have been refusals/negative responses from the Home Office on specific cases.
There are reports of people having received negative responses to the information they have provided in their questionnaires. There are even reports that some individuals have now been directly asked to leave the
This site will be updated again as soon as there are any further developments.
9 Sept 2007: The case of Madeleine so far
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article2410363.ece
9 Sept 2007: This week will be the worst in 20 years - warn the Bankers who are fearful of the worst to come
9 Sept 2007: A Persian paradox: An accidental tourist in Iran
http://travel.independent.co.uk/middle_east/article2939837.ece
7 Sept 2007: UN warns of food price unrest
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/1f0d4c6a-5ca1-11dc-9cc9-0000779fd2ac.html
7 Sept 2007: Further claims of mortgage rises
7 Sept 2007: House Prices - Is there a slow down is there now a looming crash
http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/article2399679.ece
6 Sept 2007: Universal DNA database would breach fundamental human rights of all in society
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/article2934322.ece
6 Sept 2007: 'Depressed judge lept to his death from flat
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2395291.ece
6 Sept 2007: The Law of Causation explained
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/columnists/gary_slapper/article2391616.ece
6 Sept 2007: Rio's 'disappeared'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/brazil/story/0,,2162969,00.html
6 Sept 2007: Bank of England panics!
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9a22850c-5bf5-11dc-bc97-0000779fd2ac.html
5 Sept 2007: Mr Ajagbonna: "A model immigrant, betrayed by Britain'
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/legal/article2927090.ece
5 sept 2007: student in court for putting her feet on a train seat
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article2382757.ece
5 Sept 2007: Another sign of tougher times ahead re house prices and mortgage payments
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/property_and_mortgages/article2388503.ece
5 Sept 2007: Women are paid less than men!
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article2388419.ece
4 Sept 2007: Home Office Legacy Update: An update will be published on this site on 8 Sept 2007
4 Sept 2007: 1000s still missing!
http://web.amnesty.org/pages/dod-300807-feature-eng
3 Sept 2007: In praise of free law
http://www.guardian.co.uk/law/story/0,,2161216,00.html
3 Sept 2007: The Sweatshop High Street: More Brands Under Fire
http://www.guardian.co.uk/frontpage/story/0,,2161303,00.html
3 Sept 2007: Tax credit fiasco
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/tax/article2374000.ece
2 Sept 2007: Lockerbie evidence tampered with
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2160655,00.html
2 Sept 2007: Fisk: Strange going ons in Lebanon
http://news.independent.co.uk/fisk/article2917317.ece
29 Aug 2007: Fisk on: The forgotten holocaust
http://news.independent.co.uk/fisk/article2901136.ece
29 Aug 2007: What Makes us fat?
http://news.independent.co.uk/health/article2901210.ece
27 Aug 2007: Saving Life on Earth!
http://news.independent.co.uk/media/article2896395.ece
24 Aug 2007: 10 Laws every employer & employee should know
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2258528.ece
24 Aug 2007: Here is Full copy of the Tribunal Determination in the Deportation case of Chindamo
http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/pdfs/ia131072006.doc
23 Aug 2007: Home Office Legacy Policy: News of possible grant of leave to remain for 1000s, but not officially confirmed by Home Office
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=477157&in_page_id=1770
22 Aug 2007: Human rights v human wrongs -
http://www.guardian.co.uk/crime/article/0,,2153680,00.html
22 Aug 2007: Is this the case for redemption?
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/legal/article2883869.ece
21 Aug 2007: The World's strangest laws
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2251280.ece
21 Aug 2007: Why women are paid less than men?
http://money.guardian.co.uk/pay/story/0,,2153123,00.html
21 Aug 2007: Killer's rights v victim's rights
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2295841.ece
the summer holidays this site will be next updated on 20 August 2007.
8 Aug 2007: 'The King & I' - And why she is making her claim!?
http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article2215706.ece
8 Aug 2007: Useful guide to current mortgage issues
http://money.independent.co.uk/property/mortgages/article2841928.ece
7 Aug 2007: More rights proposed for unmarried couples
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2208417.ece
7 Aug 2007: How Well behaved are UK's judges?
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2208414.ece
5 Aug 2007: Home Office Legacy Policy Update: There remains confusion about how the Home Office is considering its socalled 'legacy cases'. A large number of people have completed and returned their forms and there are stories of some people having already been granted some form of leave to remain in the UK after submission of their forms to the Home Office. These stories have not been fully confirmed.
There is now also an indication that the Home Office may also be focusing on specific country nationals at present.
Despite a number of written requests for information the Home Office has still not fully clarified its position. This has led to confusion and also, most unfortunately, some people being wrongly advised by certain legal advisors about the legacy casework policy. There are also stories of people being charged high prices so to be assisted with making 'legacy applications'. It must be noted that no such application exists. The form is NOT an application form but a questionnaire. Furthermore, for it to be considered the Home Office has said that it must be sent by them to be completed and therefore blank forms should not be used for individuals who have not received the form directly from the Home Office.
It remains the case that, at present, the best course of action is to wait and see how matters develop in the next month or so.
This site will be updated as soon as there are further developments.
5 Aug 2007: Reminder of wrongs unrighted
http://news.independent.co.uk/fisk/article2833846.ece
4 Aug 2007: Fears of mortgage debt rises - Special Report - A must read for anyone considering to take out a new mortgage in the current circumstances
http://money.guardian.co.uk/houseprices/story/0,,2141402,00.html
3 Aug 2007: Asylum Ruling re Third Country Cases: The absolute bar to investigating whether a particular country's return procedures are safe has been found to be incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. This ruling may assist those who can possibly show that if returned to another European country, so to have their asylum cases dealt with by that country, they may fall victim of that country's unsafe asylum policy. The Home Office would now have to consider any such representations and claims made by an asylum claimant and that they can not simply ignore such claims as before.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/reports/article2189227.ece
3 Aug 2007: Home Office Legacy Policy Update: There will be a further update published on this website on 5 August 2007
3 Aug 2007: Interest rates maintained by the Bank of England
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2829239.ece
2 Aug 2007: Long term UK multiple visas introduced - See UK Visas websites-
www.ukvisas.gov.uk - the news section
1 Aug 2007: IVF Children: A report suggests a registration scheme so to promote the 'the right to know' of their biological origins
http://society.guardian.co.uk/children/story/0,,2138984,00.html
1 Aug 2007: Mediation: For some it is still the only form of access to justice
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2166092.ece
1 Aug 2007: 'Tesco Jails'
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2176345.ece
31 July 2007: When a judge sues the defendant
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/columnists/david_pannick/article2166089.ece
31 July 2007: New law on rights for unmarried partners
http://society.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2138257,00.html
31 July 2007: 'Test tease' case over bank charges- thrown out of court
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/consumer_affairs/article2167394.ece
30 July 2007: Shortage of judges
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article2163887.ece
30 July 2007: Iraq: Flood of refugees
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2816666.ece
27 July 2007: Q & A on HIPs
http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/article2144656.ece
27 July 2007: Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to challenge bank charges- test case to clarify issues for benefit of both customers and banks
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2b7f1b2c-3bc2-11dc-8002-0000779fd2ac.html
27 July 2007: Test case to be heard at High Court on illegal bank charges
http://money.guardian.co.uk/saving/banks/story/0,,2135892,00.html
27 July 2007: Home Information packs (HIPs) explained
http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/article2144656.ece
27 July 2007: How to get divorced without losing your fortune
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2145559.ece
26 July 2007: Independent police complaints consultation paper- now published
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/IPCCconsultation
26 July 2007: UK government's new anti-terror proposals
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2802616.ece
26 July 2007: Postal strike - Directions from the President of AIT
25 July 2007: A New Border force for the UK
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/anewunifiedborderforce
25 July 2007: Home Office Legacy Cases Update: The Home Office has now confirmed by way of a letter to Mr Behbahani that at present they are unable to consider requests for legacy questionnaires to be sent to individuals who fall within the legacy criteria. The Home Office letter also states: "The Border and Immigration Agency (formerly IND) has now commenced on a programme to deal with the legacy cases. The cases are being processed in accordance with the Home Secretary's priorities and we are sending out questionnaires to applicants on this basis. ... At this stage, I am unable to tell you exactly when we will look at the remainder of the nationals but it will not be in the too distant future. We will send out a questionnaire to all concerned when necessary, in order to obtain up to date information."
It is now therefore clear that all those who fall within the legacy criteria (please see below news item dated 15/7/07) should wait for the Home Office to send them the questionnaire and not to apply for the questionnaire themselves.
25 July 2007: Women are still not equal in law
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2127048.ece
24 July 2007: Home Office Legacy cases Update: It should be noted that the Home Office's ELR form is ONLY for those individuals who have been granted 4 years leave to remain following the refusal of asylum. Therefore it is NOT the right form for seeking leave to remain by failed asylum seekers generally who have not been granted ELR in the first instance.
Unfortunately a number of people have recently been wrongly advised by certain organisations that they should be using the ELR form even though they were never granted 4 years Exceptional Leave to Remain (ELR). This is incorrect.
For Home Office's guidance on the ELR forms please refer to:
http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/11406/elrguidancemay07.pdf
23 July 2007: Turkey under watch with political credibility the real issue
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/4fed46d8-355e-11dc-bb16-0000779fd2ac.html
22 July 2007:The Desperate lives of the UK's women asylum seekers
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/magazine/story/0,,2131382,00.html
22 July 2007: Brown's social housing - financial health warning
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2790956.ece
22 July 2007: Fat Children more common in middle-class families
http://news.independent.co.uk/health/article2790964.ece
21 July 2007: Bush trying to repair the damage on torture claims
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/57b80a92-3711-11dc-9f6d-0000779fd2ac.html
21 July 2007: First to be prosecuted for allowing smokers to smoke
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/57b80a92-3711-11dc-9f6d-0000779fd2ac.html
21 July 2007: Sperm donor wins against the lesbians
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2106401.ece
20 July 2007: Law& politics and the problem for getting justice
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6907594.stm
19 July 2007: New laws to define when a kill is a kill but not murder!
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2102552.ece
18 July 2007: Home Office Legacy cases policy - update- There are unconfirmed stories of certain individuals having been granted permission to stay in the UK following the submission of their questionnaires to th Home Office. There are also reports of single individuals also now receiving the questionnaires through the post.
18 July 2007: Time to look at new property hotspots!
http://money.independent.co.uk/property/homes/article2777484.ece
17 July 2007: Family court's should be exposed to the media
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/columnists/david_pannick/article2083454.ece
17 July 2007: Further interest rate increases likely - up to 6% before end of year http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article2089506.ece
17 July 2007: A big rise in complaints against Judges
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2091909.ece
16 July 2007: Home Office amnesty for illegal immigrants could make serious money for the government
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1105072007
16 July 2007: Teenager looses battle of rights case re her purity ring
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/legal/article2774016.ece
16 July 2007: Home Office: Urged to have an amnesty for illegal immigrants
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6899348.stm
15 July 2007: Home Office Legacy casework- update- This is detailed commentary by Mr Behbahani based on the information currently available.
Brief Background:
The Home Office has set up a new department called the Legacy Casework Directorate to deal with what it has classified to be “legacy” asylum cases. This new department has been established following an announcement in July 2006 by the then Home Secretary that, at that time, there were approximately some 450,000 so called “legacy” asylum cases which needed some sort of resolution. He also announced that the Home Office was to undertake to clear these cases within 5 years.
What does the Home Office regard as a ‘legacy’ case?
It appears from the information thus far available that the Home Office would regard any case as a ‘legacy’ case where the following factors apply:
- The person(s) concerned have made a claim for asylum or humanitarian protection or discretionary leave; AND
- The case has not been concluded; AND
- The Home Office’s New Asylum Model (referred to as
It is therefore important to note that those with outstanding non-asylum/human rights or discretionary leave claims would not come under the ‘legacy’ case category.
What is the criteria for consideration?
Unfortunately, the Home Office has still not provided any sort of clear guidance as to what its criteria is for consideration of cases under the ‘Legacy Casework Directorate’ mandate. However, it does appear from how the system has thus far functioned that the following category of cases will fall within the above definition of a ‘legacy case’:
- Where the asylum claim has been finally determined and dismissed on appeal but the claimant(s) remains in the
- Where the asylum claim has been refused by the Home Office but there is a pending appeal.
- Where the Home Office has still not made a decision on the claimant(s)’ asylum claim.
- Where the claimant(s) has made a fresh claim for asylum following the dismissal of his/her initial asylum claim and the consideration of that fresh claim either remains outstanding or that it has been considered and rejected by the Home Office.
- Where the claimant has previously been granted limited leave to enter or remain and that limited leave will sooner or later have to be renewed. These type of cases include unaccompanied children cases where the claimant has been granted limited leave up to their 18th birthday or cases where the asylum claim has been refused but the claimant(s) have been granted either humanitarian protection or discretionary leave.
One assumes that eventually claimants who have been granted limited leave to remain (5 years) as either refugees or on basis of humanitarian grounds will also qualify under the ‘legacy’ scheme when their 5 years leave expires. We have to wait and see.
Is the Home Office prioritising certain case?
The Home Office has apparently indicated that it aims to prioritise cases of claimant(s):
- who may be granted some form of leave to remain in the
- who are currently receiving support
- who can be removed from the
- who are or may expose the rest of the public to some sort of risk
It is important to note that the Home Office has itself acknowledged that it is going to be extremely difficult to identify such cases. However, it is its aim to apply the above criteria as best as it can. The Home Office has also apparently indicated that if it starts consideration of a case which turns out not to be a priority case, it will nevertheless deal with the case straight away. It is therefore likely that some individuals may have their cases resolved sooner rather than later.
Recent Home Office letters and questionnaires:
Recently, the Home Office has been sending standard acknowledgement letters when applications/representations (including fresh claims) have been submitted by claimant(s). It is important to note that these are simply standard letters which inform the claimant(s) that his/her/their case falls within the ‘legacy’ case category. These letters do not in any way mean that the Home Office is now going to actively consider the case under the ‘legacy’ case criteria.
However, when questionnaires have been sent to specific claimant(s) this does mean that the Home Office is actively considering the claimant(s) under the ‘legacy’ case criteria.
The problem is that thus far nearly all the questionnaires have been sent to the claimant(s) last known addresses by the Home Office. Given the Home Office’s notorious reputation for failing to keep its records of addresses etc up to date, there is a real concern that certain individuals may have been sent questionnaires to a wrong address. Individuals who are concerned about this, should consult a solicitor.
Is the ‘legacy’ procedure some sort of an amnesty/concession by the Home Office to grant claimant(s) leave to remain in the
NO, absolutely not. Over the last few months there have been many rumours that the ‘legacy’ case policy is some sort of amnesty policy by the Home Office. This is absolutely wrong.
Individuals who receive the questionnaires should note that the information on the questionnaire makes clear that the claimant(s) should regard the questionnaire as a statement of additional grounds and that in consequence of consideration of those grounds, the Home Office may actually proceed with removing the claimant(s) from the UK ‘without further notice’.
In such context, it is strongly recommended for any one who receives these questionnaires to seek specialist legal advice before completing the questionnaire.
Is it a good idea to write to the Home Office and ask for a particular case to be treated as a ‘legacy case’ or for a questionnaire to be sent?
Yes and no. It all depends on the particular facts of the case. Therefore, it is specialist legal advice should again be sought before approaching the Home Office. This is because as explained above, there is a real risk that the claimant(s) request to be dealt with as a ‘legacy case’ may result in the claimant(s) actual removal from the
It is also not a good idea to photocopy someone else’s blank questionnaire so to complete and send it to the Home Office. As explained above, the Home Office at present is only actively dealing with the cases which itself is choosing to send questionnaires out to and not other cases.
In conclusion, it remains to be seen what pattern emerges from the Home Office’s response to questionnaires which has thus far been completed and returned to the Home Office by a number of claimant(s) who have in the last few weeks received their questionnaires.
This site will be updated accordingly if there are any further developments.
I hope the above commentary helps. To discuss individual cases please send your details to info@behbahani.co.uk . K. Behbahani
15 July 2007: Police call for return of internment
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2126704,00.html
15 July 2007: A dog helps out by adopting the baby panther
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6890000/newsid_6899200/6899226.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1
14 July 2007: Home Office: Legacy Casework Policy - Update- Whilst there is still nothing published by the Home Office on its policy criteria, its approach is becoming relatively clear. Full commentary to be published on this website on Sunday 15 July 2007.
14 July 2007: US plans for visa requirements for EU citizens could harm business
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/5cbe538c-3173-11dc-891f-0000779fd2ac.html
14 July 2007: When Mr Big met Mr Small
http://www.mediaplayer.telegraph.co.uk/?item=4D743DAE-EC99-460E-91ED-E10DB77D8514
14 July 2007: How to find the best mortgage for you
http://money.independent.co.uk/property/mortgages/article2766368.ece
13 July 2007: Video: Inside the Surge- The truth on film in Iraq
http://www.guardian.co.uk/video/page/0,,2125978,00.html
12 July 2007: Black, found guilty
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article2071131.ece
11 July 2007: Judicial bias explained
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/columnists/gary_slapper/article2058563.ece
11 July 2007: Drink is a symptom of a broken society
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/07/11/do1101.xml
11 July 2007: Simple changes to save your life
http://news.independent.co.uk/health/article2750905.ece
11 July 2007: Huge numbers defaulting with their mortgage payments
http://money.independent.co.uk/property/mortgages/article2753390.ece
10 July 2007: Hijab v ipod in Court- A member of Jury gets into trouble!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2051212.ece
10 July 2007: Germany should stop revoking Iraqis of their refugee status
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/07/10/german16369.htm
10 July 2007: Gaza Lion released at last
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6280000/newsid_6286900/6286970.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm&news=1&ms3=6
8 July 2007: Home Office's legacy casework policy: During the last week a large number of families have received questionnaires from the Home Office. They require the applicants to complete and return the forms within 14 days of receipt. On the back of the form there is a notice that the information disclosed by the Applicant will be treated as Statement of Additional Grounds for wishing to remain in the UK. It is therefore vitally important for Applicants to disclose full details of their grounds. As suggested before, all recipients of these forms are recommended to seek legal advice before completing and sending the forms back to the Home Office.
8 July 2007: Is this the start of the West blaming Iran again
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/9cc4d5f4-2be3-11dc-b498-000b5df10621.html
8 July 2007: Zimbabwe: The true picture of real need for help
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/gallery/2007/jul/06/internationalnews.zimbabwenews?picture=330151019
6 July 2007: More interest rate increases likely perhaps up to 6% by 2008
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/55a55106-2a41-11dc-9208-000b5df10621.html
6 July 2007: Religion is a key factor in American politics
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2033067.ece
6 July 2007: Rights for women in Iran under review by the country's leader
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2739808.ece
5 July 2007: No Justice in Turkey!
http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR440132007
5 July 2007: Alan Johnston's own words
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2737131.ece
4 July 2007: Judge and the bias claim
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2027170.ece
3 July 2007: Update on Home Office's Legacy Casework Policy: In the last few days a number of people have started receiving forms from the Home Office asking for their details and reasons for fearing return to their country. Early indications suggests that people with children are the first group to receive these forms. However, it remains unclear as to what the purpose of these forms are. This does however indicate that the Home Office is now actively engaged in dealing with its backlog cases of either failed asylum seekers. More updates to follow soon.
2 July 2007: More Rain & Rain
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/weather/article2013348.ece
2 July 2007: Human Rights Watch warning on war crimes in Mid East
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2727844.ece
1 July 2007: Confessions of a Gold Digger!
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/this_britain/article2715324.ece
1 July 2007: Age of Ignorance!
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,2115519,00.html
30 June 2007: The new Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill - the proposed statutory fusion of criminal and immigration law- not only relevant to criminal law matters but also immigration cases involving criminal law issues
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmbills/130/07130.i-v.html
30 June 2007: UK's saving at its lowest for more than 40 years. Is the UK's finances on the brink?
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/b8670d1a-2619-11dc-8e18-000b5df10621.html
30 June 2007: An example of how a bad human rights argument makes bad case law
http://www.guardian.co.uk/transport/Story/0,,2115263,00.html
30 June 2007: This article's focus is on the Judge's warning re children in family court proceedings but the same warning should equally apply to all courts in particular the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal where judge's are increasingly forgetting their duties under the Childrens Act.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2002386.ece
30 June 2007: Express check out for the 'lucky' prisoners!
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article2007981.ece
30 June 2007: Is Private health cover good for you?
http://money.independent.co.uk/personal_finance/invest_save/article2721150.ece
29 June 2007: Jack Straw the new minister to oversee Justice and the courts
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article2001402.ece
29 June 2007: Supreme Court's error of judgment re civil rights in US.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,2114722,00.html
29 June 2007: Could they now be trusted?
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2720110.ece
28 June 2007: Amnesty's views on huge problem of displacement in Azerbaijan: http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR550122007
27 June 2007: Mahasti's death is another sad loss to the Iranian showbiz this year! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahasti
27 June 2007: Who may be judging judges and justice under Brown?
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article1987617.ece
27 June 2007: Inquiry into torture claims by the British in Iraq
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1991093.ece
27 June 2007: An invitation to EU to further promote human rights
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/06/26/portug16255.htm
26 June 2007: Access to pills promotes abortions!
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/06/25/usint16248.htm
25 June 2007: UNHCR's refworld site is now up and running. A useful site for research for asylum cases
http://www.unhcr.org/cgi-bin/texis/vtx/refworld/rwmain
25 June 2007: Iraq: People in cry for help. What is the solution to mass displacement - full report on forced migration
http://www.fmreview.org/iraq.htm
25 June 2007: UN is no longer trusted by those who need its help most
http://news.independent.co.uk/world/politics/article2705369.ece
25 June 2007: New duty of care to be imposed on the Home Office when dealing with children immigration cases
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/childsafety
24 June 2007: Sold to the lowest bidder!
http://money.independent.co.uk/property/homes/article2676978.ece
24 June 2007: Landlady or landlord!
http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/investment/article1966287.ece
24 June 2007: You don't have to be rich to escape the taxman!
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/tax/article1976815.ece
23 June 2007: The rumours of a Home Office amnesty/concession for failed asylum seekers or illegal immigrants are continuing to create anxiety amongst many who are, understandably, desperate for legalising their status in the UK. Please refer to the news item on 10 June 2007 on this subject.
There is still no news of any official confirmation from the Home Office and therefore the rumours are all false.
It is however becoming clear that the Home Office's legacy casework department is actively trying to resolve outstanding cases. Whether this will lead to individual cases being conceded and the applicants being granted some sort of permission to stay in the UK despite having failed in their asylum claim remains to be seen.
This site will be updated as soon as there is any further news on this issue.
Meanwhile here is a link to the UNHCR's recommendation to the Home Office as regards to how the Home Office should approach both new cases and the so called 'lagacy cases':
http://www.unhcr.org.uk/documents/QIKeyObservationsandRecommendations.ReportIV.FINAL.pdf
23 June 2007: Europe is ageing and could encouraged immigration solve the problem?
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/economics/article1975298.ece
23 June 2007: Blair not fit for his next job says Fisk
http://news.independent.co.uk/fisk/article2697832.ece
23 June 2007: Council Tax Doubles in 10 Years
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6232734.stm
22 June 2007: Another flawed Iraqi Tribunal Judgment
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/06/22/iraq16230.htm
22 June 2007: The Ring and her human rights
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2109204,00.html
21 June 2007: The coming wealth riots in UK
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30100-1271534,00.html
21 June 2007: Iran opens possible investment opportunities for non-Iranians http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/21/wrefugees121.xml
20 June 2007: An excuse to sell more books
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2679875.ece
20 June 2007: Business help or just politics for ethnic minorities?
http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2679875.ece
20 June 2007: Media Ban in family courts maintained on good common sense basis http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article1960204.ece
20 June 2007: Private Care Homes Not Covered by Human Rights Law
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article1960204.ece
20 June 2007 Taxman and the trouble with reality
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6766879.stm
20 June 2007: Claiming asylum is a basic human right
http://web.amnesty.org/pages/refugees-190607-feature-eng
20 June 2007: Mother's loss at the court of appeal shows a turn against the tide of pro mother children care cases
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article1954098.ece
20 June 2007: 'Honour killing' - police still had a lot to learn
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article1947855.ece
19 June 2007: Refugee numbers up for first time in five years
http://www.unhcr.org/news/NEWS/4676a90e4.html
19 June 2007: Iraqi refugees on the rise driven by need
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/6766067.stm
18 June 2007: UK to seek broader enforcement of immigration laws
http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/strengtheningbritainsborders
18 June 2007: Life as a refugee in the UK
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/politics/article2666951.ece
17 June 2007 A bloody verdict on war in Iraq following the House of Lords ruling
http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/legal/article2666413.ece
17 June 2007: A Cry for Justice
http://news.independent.co.uk/fisk/article2666406.ece
17 June 2007: Borderless notion of justice
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/leaders/story/0,,2104889,00.html
17 June 2007: To Limit Immigrants in Europe?
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/minette_marrin/article1942934.ece
15 June 2007: Home Office's deportation success claims questioned!
http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,2103725,00.html
15 June 2007: Amnesty International defends Women's access to abortion
http://news.amnesty.org/index/ENGPOL300122007
14 June 2007: Home Office claims to be deporting more prisoners: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/newsarchive/reformsstrengthencontrol
14 June 2007: Sharia law in the UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Story/0,,2102662,00.html
14 June 2007: How Tax Credits 'cheat' working families
14 June 2007: Migrant's Integration challanges within UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6749363.stm
13 June 2007: House of Lords Ruling on the Iraqi detainee cases
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article1925930.ece
13 June 2007: US declares financial war on Iran
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6730681.stm
13 June 2007: Top Judge cleared of flashing:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1926574.ece
13 June 2007: Was the French President really drunk? judge for yourself:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/player/nol/newsid_6740000/newsid_6748300/6748343.stm?bw=bb&mp=wm
10 June 2007: Has the Home Office announced an amnesty/concession for individuals who have lived in the UK without leave to remain either as asylum seekers, over stayers, illegal immigrants? Unfortunately not. However, the Home Office has now set up a 'legacy casework team' with the intention of clearing its so-called legacy cases. At present it is unclear what the Home Office regards as a 'legacy case'.
The Home Office's legacy casework team has recently started sending questionnaires to a number of individuals either directly or to their legal representatives. These questionnaires are NOT application forms for any sort of amnesty/concession, and should not be regarded as such. Therefore, if anyone is in receipt of such forms, they should seek legal advice before completing and returning the form to the Home Office.
Mr Behbahani has written to the Home Office to clarify the current position and the exact purpose of the said questionnaires. If the Home Office does respond, this page would be updated accordingly.
Meanwhile, there has recently been a number of campaigns to encourage the Home Office to offer some sort of leave to remain for individuals who fall within the category best described as 'illegal immigrants'. These campaigns have thus far not resulted in a change in policy and it does appear that the Home Office may be involved in a case by case assessment of individuals who are currently living in the UK without leave.
This site will be updated as soon as there are any developments on this issue.
13 June 2007: Top Judge shows off his Calvin Klein collection at Court
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/crime/article1922583.ece
13 June 2007: An idea on saving tax on buy to let investments
http://money.independent.co.uk/property/homes/article2648568.ece
13 June 2007: Baby Tigers Born in Germany
http://www.reuters.com/news/video/videoStory?videoId=56537
12 June 2007: Risk of Higher interest rates:
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/money/mortgages/article1917501.ece
12 June 2007: Randy dogs get the sack:
http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1270029,00.html
11 June 2007: Equal rights for unmarried couples:
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article1913200.ece
11 June 2007: Senior Court of Appeal judge accused of flashing:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2100565,00.html
11 June 2007: UAE may now be opening up to overseas ownership opportunities: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/c4b1ca88-1845-11dc-b736-000b5df10621.html
11 June 2007: Expensive 'rat bite' at the burger store:
http://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUST13671420070611
10 June 2007: Home Office Consultation Paper published: This may be of interest to anyone who wishes to have an insight as to what further changes may be in the pipe line regarding all aspects of immigration law. The consultation paper was published on 6 June 2007 and is available on: http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/6353/6356/17715/immigrationlawconsultation
10 June 2007: An interesting article on property prices in the UK:
http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/article1898788.ece