Excellent, forensic and damning statement from ILPA about attacks on immigration lawyers over the last few years. It’s appalling this all needs to be said.

An independent legal profession is fundamental to ensuring access to justice, equality before the law, and the proper functioning of a democracy. This is an international legal principle, which has also been recognised by the UK government.

We believe the government should do its utmost to create conditions in which lawyers are able to freely perform their professional duties, and are safeguarded by authorities if their security is threatened as a result of carrying out their professional role.

The compromising of lawyers’ independence by external pressure can have extremely negative consequences for the right to access justice.

The statement is eight pages long. You can apply to join ILPA here.