The Law Society has welcomed the government’s decision to increase court capacity so that immigration and asylum decisions can be heard quicker.

The Ministry of Justice announced that it is investing £5m to increase the number of days that the tribunals can operate. The department estimates that up to 9,000 more cases will be heard by the end of March. There are currently 25,000 cases in the system.

The department said the additional capacity will speed up the process for people waiting for their cases to be heard and reduce the waiting time for legal decisions. ‘This includes appeals to the tribunal on cases from failed asylum seekers, for example those have made Channel crossings if the Home Office has denied their initial asylum claim as well as those claiming that being forced to leave the UK would breach their human rights.’ 

Dominic Raab

Raab: Increased capacity means 'decisions can be made more quickly'

Source: ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Society president Lubna Shuja welcomed the government’s decision to increase capacity to address the backlog.

She said: ‘It is important that anyone subject to a life-changing decision can have that decision reviewed by an independent court within a reasonable period of time. For the 52% who will have their Home Office decisions overturned by a judge, the speed with which justice is served is particularly important.

‘The UK should have a properly functioning immigration and asylum system which reflects the values of British justice – it should be fair, efficient and provide timely, lawful decisions.’

The ministry also announced a further £2.85m to allow up to 1,700 more cases to be heard in the employment tribunal by March.

Lord chancellor Dominic Raab said increased capacity meant 'decisions can be made more quickly, helping us tackle the backlog, ensure justice is served, and remove those who are not eligible'.

 

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