Legal advice and information provision for asylum seekers and refugees. Report and review 2004

Aims

The review aimed to consider, at a strategic regional level, the needs of an individual asylum seeker from arrival to a final decision, describe the current situation, and propose measures about what needs to be done.

Methodology

The report, written by the Yorkshire and Humberside Community Legal Service [CLS] Asylum Forum, reviews legal advice and information provision for asylum seekers and refugees based on feedback to the Forum from members [including the Legal Services Commission, Yorkshire & Humberside Consortium and Refugee Council].

Key issues

The report provides overviews of legal advice services and issues in Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, Rotherham, Sheffield and Wakefield. Changes to asylum Legal Aid effective April 2004 are summarised.

Recommendations

Conclusions and recommendations aimed at the Home Office, legal advisors, and widespread services are provided in four areas: access to Legal Aid and effects of cuts on making an asylum application; the role of health including medical reports and mental health; the role of NASS and problems with procedure; community cohesion, social inclusion and integration including issues for unaccompanied minors, access to and entitlement for services, destitution, racial harassment, employment and domestic violence.