Updates, commentary, training and advice on immigration and asylum law

Court throws out challenge to digital-only status for EU citizens

THANKS FOR READING

Older content is locked

A great deal of time and effort goes into producing the information on Free Movement, become a member of Free Movement to get unlimited access to all articles, and much, much more

TAKE FREE MOVEMENT FURTHER

By becoming a member of Free Movement, you not only support the hard-work that goes into maintaining the website, but get access to premium features;

  • Single login for personal use
  • FREE downloads of Free Movement ebooks
  • Access to all Free Movement blog content
  • Access to all our online training materials
  • Access to our busy forums
  • Downloadable CPD certificates

The High Court has issued a judgment refusing permission for a judicial review challenge to the government’s policy of giving digital-only proof of immigration status to millions of EU citizens. The case is R (The 3million Ltd) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] EWHC 1159 (Admin).

People granted pre-settled or settled status are not being issued with physical residence permits. Instead, their status exists in the ether. People can pull their individual proof of status out of a Home Office database using a “view and prove” service on gov.uk.

The claimants, a campaign group representing EU citizens, argue that this puts people unable to use the internet at a disadvantage. In particular, they point to old people, disabled people and Roma, who are less likely to be able to use the internet.

The problem for the case is that physical residence documents are still valid until 1 July 2021. The decision to go digital-only after that has not yet taken effect. As such, Mr Justice Linden found, the judicial review claim is “premature”. The looming digital-only policy is best characterised as “a continuing process of decision-making” and legal arguments about its discriminatory effect can only be considered when there is evidence about the impact on the ground.

While this particular case is dead in the water, the issue may well return to the Administrative Court in future.

Relevant articles chosen for you
Picture of CJ McKinney

CJ McKinney

CJ McKinney is a specialist on immigration law and policy. Formerly the editor of Free Movement, you will find a lot of articles by CJ here on this website! Twitter: @mckinneytweets.