UK cuts funding for public asylum lawyers

By Tererai Karimakwenda
18 April 2006

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) which funds publicly supported legal cases for asylum seekers in the UK has proposed drastic cuts in the programme and is being accused of targeting immigration solicitors unfairly. The Reverend Dr. Martine Stemerick who has been following developments in immigration affairs of Zimbabweans in the UK reports that the LSC is proposing to end the contracts of all immigration solicitors who do not meet a 40% success rate in asylum case appeals. There has already been a 10% reduction in the number of immigration solicitors’ offices between September 2005 and February 2006. As a result fewer lawyers are now willing to tackle asylum cases and their long drawn-out process. This spells problems for many Zimbabwean asylum seekers who are relying on publicly funded solicitors.

Dr. Stemerick said despite the fear of a flood of refugees from Zimbabwe, the facts on the ground actually show that the numbers of new cases have gone down and the proposed changes are not necessary. She said the figures fell sharply in 2005 and for the 4 th year in a row. There were only 384 new asylum applications in the last quarter of 2005. There is also a backlog in asylum cases that is quite substantial. According to Dr. Stemerick the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has warned countries imposing tighter restrictions on refugees that they may be closing the door to women and children who are being persecuted in their home countries.

Dr. Stemerick said the LSC proposals to cut funding were made without parliamentary debate and with only 4 weeks of consultations. On the legal side the Home Office has 8-10 solicitors representing them in court in the case that will determine policy on Zimbabwe. They also have the resources to go to Zimbabwe for research. But the other side, the Refugee Legal Council representing asylum seekers, has only 2 lawyers whose funding has been cut. This is very discouraging and Dr. Stemerick described it as a “ David and Goliath” task. She said all this needs to be brought to the attention of MPs in the areas Zimbabweans reside.