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Deportation and Detention

If you have been detained or are facing deportation from the UK, then our lawyers may be able to assist you to remain in the UK.

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How can Paragon Law help?

The appeal process can be nerve-wracking and subject to very strict deadlines. Our deportation immigration solicitors can simplify the process by doing the following:

  • Prepare witness statements for you and key witnesses, focusing on the relevant issues.

  • Instruct experts to prepare reports specific to you under strict time pressures.

  • Prepare a tailor made and paginated bundle of documents.

  • Instruct barristers from the top chambers in the UK.

  • Ensure that you are advised on the key areas of the law and take the important decisions on your case.

  • Use access to our extensive database of country evidence and case law, to research and prepare your case.

Why choose Paragon Law?

  • Well connected to other industry experts, our deportation lawyers are able to work with external experts to help create the strongest case for our clients.
  • Highly-regarded in the field of Deportation and Detention, our immigration team are favourably looked upon by organisations and the third-sector.
  • Experienced in matters relating to Deportation and Detention, our immigration lawyers have dealt with a wide range of cases enabling them to understand your needs.
  • Empathetic in our approach, our immigration experts work in a sympathetic manner to build a rapport with their clients in what can be an anxious time.
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This immigration law powerhouse is best known for handling complex and high-profile cases. The lawyers are admired for their hard work and dedication to clients. They push and push and never take no for an answer.

Chambers & Partners

Meet Karen Halliwell

Karen Halliwell

Karen Halliwell

Solicitor, Asylum and Human Rights

Karen Halliwell is a qualified immigration solicitor and Law Society accredited supervising senior caseworker. Specialising in all elements of deportation and detention related issues. Karen regularly advises on highly complex cases and her expertise is recognised by excellent working relationships with solicitors in the criminal field, as well as the Probation Service.

Paragon Law is a place to solve issues, all their lawyers are well trained and practiced as professionals. They dealt with my case on two several occasions without any issue, all credit also goes to Karen for the advice given to me during the process of my application.

Deportation and Detention: FAQs

Who can be deported from the UK?

You may be at risk from deportation if you are a non-British citizen, and:

  • The Secretary of State believes that your presence in the UK is against the ‘public good’.
  • You have committed a criminal offence in the UK and received a custodial sentence over 12 months in length.
  • You have been recommended for deportation by the criminal court as part of your sentence.

What happens if you get deported from the UK?

  • You will be contacted by the Home Office to indicate that they have noted your liability for deportation, and asked to respond within 20 working days. It is important to reply to this letter
  • You will be notified of the Home Office decision in response to any claim you make in response and asked to provide any reasons for which that decision should not be enforced. This decision is not appealable and you should always reply where you are served with this kind of correspondence
  • Your protection and/or human rights claim will be considered and either granted or refused. Any refusal made by the Home Office at this stage may be appealable

If you have received a letter from the Home Office informing you of their decision to remove you from the UK, then consult an immigration lawyer immediately if you wish to challenge the decision. A deportation immigration lawyer will assess your case against the Home Office’s reasons for pursuing such action, and advise you on the next steps.

If you are in the community when you are served within this decision, you may be required to visit an immigration reporting centre (there are 14 throughout the UK) on a regular basis whilst you remain in the UK to challenge the decision, and made subject to other conditions (such as residence or electronic monitoring).

If you are deported from the UK and your challenge to this removal is unsuccessful then you will not be able to return to the UK for at least 10-years, until the order is overturned.

How long do matters of deportation and detention take to settle?

Unfortunately there is not a set answer for this question. The individualistic and complex nature of deportation and detention cases means that the processing times can vary dramatically. It is worth bearing in mind that cases relating to deportation and/or detention can be prolonged over many years and are often not something which can be resolved overnight.

How long can I be in immigration detention?

In the UK, there is not a time limit on how long an individual can be held in immigration detention but there are government policies, for those who may be considered vulnerable or at risk, that should be adhered to by border staff and enforcement officers. Written reviews should be conducted on a monthly basis and the results notified to the detainee.

If you believe that the Home Office has wrongly detained you, a qualified immigration advisor can conduct a full review and advise you on whether the detention is unlawful. Where unlawful detention is established, a claim for compensation can be prepared and you may be awarded substantial damages.

What is the difference between immigration detention and deportation?

Immigration detention refers to holding people in custody whilst they wait for permission to enter the UK, or be removed from it.  Policy reasons for detaining typically include one or more of the following: to remove the person from the UK; to establish their identity or the basis of their immigration or asylum claim; where there is reason to believe they will abscond if released on bail; or when release is not considered to be ‘conducive to the public good’. Detention typically ends in either removal from the UK, or release, usually on immigration bail whilst a person’s visa status is regularised.

Deportation, not to be confused with removal, refers to the process of forcibly removing a non-British citizen from the UK who have committed criminal offences that have triggered automatic deportation action, or in a move that the Home Office believes is for ‘the public good’ (e.g. an individual is in the UK illegally or has since committed a crime). The Immigration Rules state that where a person is liable to deportation the presumption shall be that the public interest requires deportation so it is important to raise all lines of argument at an early stage of the process. Someone who is deported from the UK cannot return for at least 10 years.

Do you accept legal aid?

We have a contract with the Legal Aid Agency which enables us to provide free legal advice and assistance in some immigration cases but not all types of cases will be covered by this form of funding. However, please talk to your immigration lawyer to see if this is something which you can benefit from, and where appropriate, we can assess your case.

Our Fees

When it comes to matters of deportation and detention, our immigration lawyers deal with a wide range of cases, and so, unlike our other services there is not a standard list of fees. Please consult your deportation immigration lawyer to gain more information about the fees relating to your case.

You may also be interested in

The Nationality and Borders Bill

Read our blog by Karen Halliwell, about what the Nationality and Borders Bill may mean for the future of UK immigration.

 

Asylum and Human Rights

You may be eligible to apply for asylum in the UK if leaving the country would be against your human rights, please consult our dedicated page for more information.

 

Being Earnest and Deportation

Read our blog on how the UK’s stance towards deportation has changed over time and our attitude towards this.

 

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Natalya Baker

Enquire now about our Deportation and Detention services

If you require assistance with matters relating to deportation and detention then please fill out our contact form and one of our immigration advisors will get back to you shortly to arrange an initial appointment with one of our deportation immigration lawyers.

If you require urgent assistance please call +44 (0) 115 9644 123.