Dozens of asylum seekers have been left without legal representation after seeing their cases dropped by law firms. Several firms have cut ties with clients in Cardiff and elsewhere after being left unable to wait years for legal aid funding, which is usually only provided when a decision is made on a case by the Home Office.
Combined with delays in the asylum system, this often means lawyers are left waiting years for comparatively small payments. One firm, after withdrawing its help from several clients in Cardiff, which did not wish to be identified, cited, "the Home Office’s long term failure to progress asylum claims, and current Government immigration policy" saying this has "made it financially unsustainable for [us] to continue Legally Aided work."
The Home Office has blamed the "unacceptable number of people risking their lives by making these dangerous crossings", which it said was placing an unprecedented strain on the asylum system. It said it was taking action to deal with the issues.
