1m asylum firms refute fleecing jibes

Immigration firms branded 'asylum millionaires' have this week hit back at suggestions in the press that they are fleecing the taxpayer, and have accused the media and politicians of making them scapegoats for problems in the system.

The firms spoke out when they were 'named and shamed' by several newspapers after it emerged that they are each expected to make at least 1 million from asylum work in the current financial year, according to figures released by the Legal Services Commission (LSC).

The London firms were: Trott & Gentry, White Ryland, Asghar & Co, Wesley Gryk, O'Keeffes, Irving & Co, Sheikh & Co (in N4), Ratnam & Co, Nathaniel & Co, Duncan Lewis, Wilson & Co, Morgan Hall, Lawrence Lupin, Noden & Co, Dozie & Co, and Howe & Co.

Also named were Sheffield's Howells, Newcastle-based Halliday Reeves and the Refugee Legal Centres in Brighton, Leeds, and London.

Sole practitioner Wesley Gryk said the reports were a slap in the face, especially as no one in his firm earned more than 30,000.

'As has happened all too often in recent years, the present government - when it finds itself in a tight political position - seeks to set up the legal profession as a scapegoat,' he complained.

Sajid Sheikh, a partner in Sheikh & Co, said most immigration firms saw much of their LSC funding go on overheads and disbursements.

'[The media] should tell all that to the general public and let them make an informed decision,' he said.

Howells' immigration team leader

John Donkersley said his firm made around 20,000 profit on 500,000 worth of work.

'If the rates were that good, people would be flooding in to do this kind of work, but they are not,' he said.

Jim Walmsley, human resources and marketing manager at Duncan Lewis, said: 'This will only damage morale among lawyers brave enough to remain in publicly funded work.'

A Law Society spokesman said it would act swiftly to investigate any excessive legal aid claiming, and had closed down several immigration firms.

But he added: 'It is perfectly proper for a firm to specialise in immigration and asylum law, and provide expert advice to vulnerable people who are entitled to it.'

Jawaid Luqmani, treasurer of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association, agreed the media was intent on portraying lawyers and asylum seekers as money grabbers.

He added: 'It is a meaningless concept to have a legal system that seeks to punish those who help administer the justice system in some way.'

An LSC spokeswoman said it was vital for people to have proper representation in immigration matters, and stressed that the 1 million was not sheer profit.

'Profits from legal aid work are much lower than for private work,' she said.

'The amount taken from the fund reflects the huge number of clients they have to see.'

Paula Rohan