No access to justice: Legal Aid and destitute asylum seekers. PAFRAS briefing paper number 3

Aims

This briefing on access to legal aid is part of a series that provide concise analyses of key policies and concerns relating to people made destitute through the asylum process.

Methodology

Policy analysis and data from interviews with people who use the PAFRAS [Positive Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers] drop-in.

Key issues

The paper describes the reduction in Legal Aid in 2004 and the consequences of this for destitute asylum seekers in accessing legal assistance with their claim. Destitution is identified as making it more difficult for people to access help, and more vulnerable to exploitation by unscrupulous advisors.

Conclusions

Many asylum seekers have suggested that they have received inadequate legal representation, often leading to the curtailment of appeal rights.