'UK asylum system faces chaos over legal aid cash delays'

Published on Sunday 30 May 2010 21:35

THE asylum system is facing chaos because of delays in the payment of legal aid.

Charity Refugee and Migrant Justice said it was facing a cash crisis because a growing proportion of legal aid was now only paid upon case completion.

The organisation is the UK's largest provider of free legal advice to asylum seekers and represents thousands of people fleeing persecution from countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Zimbabwe.

It said it took on 11,000 new clients last year and claims the delays in payment – of up to two years – are putting victims of trafficking and 900 unaccompanied children at risk.

Chief executive Caroline Slocock said: "RMJ is not asking for new money, simply prompt payment of legal aid for the work it has carried out.

"Charities like us, which are important to Prime Minister David Cameron's Big Society, cannot wait for up to two years for payment whilst the Home Office processes cases.

"The current legal aid payment system on asylum and immigration puts justice at risk.

"We do hope the government will reconsider and agree to take a genuinely fundamental look at legal aid in this area. Otherwise, the asylum system will face chaos.

"Paying RMJ what it is due would buy the new government time to take a long hard look at legal aid – and it would cost a lot less than closing us down and locking the current waste in for a further three years."

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "In the last few years RMJ has received substantial support from the Legal Services Commission.

"This has been in the form of transitional arrangements which have been intended to assist the organisation to make the change from the earlier grant funding arrangement to contract funding per hour and then to graduated fees."