Asylum and
Protection
Asylum, Humanitarian Protection and Refugee Matters, Seeking asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK
Claiming Asylum or Humanitarian Protection in the UK
We assist individuals seeking asylum or humanitarian protection in the UK who have been forced to leave their home country or cannot safely return due to a well-founded fear of persecution. This may include persecution based on political opinion, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or membership of a particular social group, as well as those who face a genuine risk of serious harm for other compelling reasons.
The definition of a refugee is set out in the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol (commonly known as the Geneva Convention). To be granted asylum in the UK, an applicant must meet the criteria outlined in Article 1A(2) of the Convention.
This requires demonstrating to the Home Office that you have a well-founded fear of persecution in your home country for one of the recognised grounds, and that you are unable or unwilling to seek protection from the authorities there due to that fear. If these requirements are met, you may be recognised as a refugee and granted asylum in the UK.
If you do not meet the strict definition of a refugee, you may still qualify for humanitarian protection. This applies where there are substantial grounds to believe that returning to your country would place you at a real risk of serious harm, and where you cannot reasonably obtain protection from the authorities in that country.
If you wish to remain in the UK and begin rebuilding your life, you must make a formal asylum application. Our team can provide clear, compassionate guidance throughout the process to help you understand your rights and present your case effectively.
Asylum Further Submissions
If your asylum application has been refused, we can assist you in preparing and submitting new evidence in support of your case. Where your appeal rights have been exhausted, or your claim has been refused, withdrawn, or treated as withdrawn, our immigration solicitors can help you compile and submit further submissions to the Home Office’s Further Submissions Unit.
Further submissions can only be made after all appeal rights have been fully exhausted. You cannot submit additional evidence to the Further Submissions Unit while an appeal is still available or ongoing.
Under Paragraph 353 of the Immigration Rules, the Home Office must consider any further submissions made once a protection or human rights claim has been refused and no appeal is pending. If those submissions are rejected, the decision-maker must then assess whether they amount to a fresh claim.
For further submissions to be treated as a fresh claim, they must be significantly different from the evidence previously considered. This means the new material must not have been examined before and, when considered alongside earlier evidence, must create a realistic prospect of success, even if the claim is ultimately refused.
This legal test was confirmed in the case of Onibiyo [1996] 2 All ER 901, where the Court of Appeal held that a fresh claim arises where there is a realistic prospect that a decision-maker could reach a favourable outcome, despite an earlier refusal.
If your asylum or humanitarian protection claim has been refused and you no longer have a right of appeal, it is important to seek legal advice. Our immigration solicitors can assess whether further submissions are appropriate in your case and advise whether a new right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) may be generated.
Our Specialist Asylum and Protection Services
We provide comprehensive support to individuals and families seeking asylum or protection in the UK. Our services include assistance with applying for accommodation and financial support through the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) while you await a decision on your claim.
We will:
Guide you through the asylum application process and explain each stage clearly
Advise on the types of evidence required to support your case
Help you gather and prepare strong supporting documentation
Submit your asylum application on your behalf and manage communications with the Home Office
Appealing a UK Asylum Refusal
If your asylum application has been refused, we can assist you in submitting an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber). Appeals must normally be lodged within 14 days of the refusal decision.
You are usually permitted to remain in the UK while your appeal is pending. Your case will be considered by an independent Judge, separate from the Home Office. One of our experienced immigration lawyers will prepare and submit the appeal documents, represent you at the hearing, and guide you through the process.
We can also help you submit additional evidence and prepare you to present your case confidently at the appeal hearing.
Asylum and Humanitarian Protection Applications
The UK continues to be a key destination for individuals seeking asylum. Under UK law, those granted refugee status are entitled to a number of important rights, including the ability to remain lawfully in the UK, access free healthcare and education, work legally, and reunite with close family members already living in the UK.
As asylum law is highly complex, it is essential to seek legal advice before submitting a claim. With extensive experience in this area, we explain the requirements and procedures in a clear, patient, and straightforward manner, ensuring you understand each step of the process.
Human Rights Applications in the UK
The UK is bound by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), with these protections incorporated into domestic law through the Human Rights Act. Certain rights under the Convention can form the basis of an application for permission to stay in the UK, most notably Article 3 (protection from torture and inhuman or degrading treatment) and Article 8 (the right to respect for private and family life).
Where asylum is being sought, human rights arguments should normally be raised at the same time as the asylum application. However, it is also common for human rights grounds to arise after an initial asylum claim has been made.
We can represent you at any stage of an asylum or human rights application, providing expert guidance and advocacy throughout the process.