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“I agree with my noble friend that no area is more complex than the whole business of the Immigration Rules and the procedures surrounding them.”
Lord Taylor of Holbeach in response to Lord Lester of Herne Hill, Hansard, 12 December 2012: Column 1087 (with thanks to Alison from ILPA).
3 responses
The more startling point lies in the previous point put by Lord Lester of Herne Hill: “My wife is an immigration and asylum judge [Lady Katya Lester] …. she and her colleagues find themselves in a quite terrible situation in trying to understand the Kafkaesque material that flows out of the Home Office. …. it is quite impossible for ordinary men and women, including Members of this House, to understand [them]” During the debate on legal aid Justice Secretary Ken Clarke argued that many immigration cases are “straightforward” and do not require legal assistance. Lord Taylor has now conceded that this is untrue.
..whereas another Lord, Lord McNally, the current Minister of State for Justice was quoted in the Sunday Times a few weeks back as saying ‘Immigration tribunal cases are usually about the facts of a case, not about a point of law, so having a lawyer isn’t usually necessary.’ I’ve asked his office to clarify whether or not he did say this but have had no reply. If he did, perhaps Lord Lester can put him straight as he doesn’t appear to want to speak to me.
Great job Iain. Such ignorance must be confronted head on.