Independent appeals body for immigration and asylum appeals – Law Society response

Our view

• Backlogs and delays need to be addressed – but justice, fairness, independence and decision quality must not be sacrificed for speed.
• Reforms should focus on the causes of the backlog and delays – strengthening the quality of initial decision-making, investing properly in legal aid and improving efficiency in the existing tribunal system.
• The government needs to provide detail and evidence that the proposal will achieve its stated objectives and deliver value for money.
• Fundamental reforms require proper consultation and engagement with stakeholders including the legal sector, giving enough time and information for reasoned responses, particularly when the proposals are led by the Home Office, a party to the appeals.
• The government should build on existing tribunal infrastructure – if it goes ahead with proposals, reforms should enhance rather than compromise access to justice, accountability and public confidence.

Next steps

The call for evidence closes on 6 May.

The government initially opened the consultation for four weeks. Having refused our immediate request for an extension, it extended the deadline at the last minute - too late to be of use to us.

We consider the consultation’s short timeline unacceptable. We call for a meaningful opportunity to engage with the government and a reasoned response to our concerns.