This document provides guidance on the indentifications, appointment and role of litigation friends in the First-tier and Upper Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chambers for asylum and human rights appeals in England and Wales. It is aimed at lawyers and presenting officers, hearing centres, Tribunal Judges and civil society organisations working with people impacted by this issue.
This guidance has been written by Jennifer Blair, a barrister and specalist in disability, immigration ad asylum law, on behalf of Migrants Organise, a registered charity which runs a designated Migrants Mental Capacity Advocacy (MMCA) Project. This guidance has been prepared in consultation with and with thanks to MMCA Project’s Advisory Group members Brian Dikoff, Heike Langbein and Francesca Valerio from Migrants Organise, Beth McGovern from Southwark Law Centre, Bijan Hoshi from Public Law Project, Eleanor Sibley from the AIRE Centre, Dr Johanna herrod and Will Whitaker from Bindmans.
This publication draws significantly on the writing, research and training of Alex Ruck-Keene, barrister at 39 Essex Chambers, although any errors are the writer’s own.