Immigration: High Court throws out bid for judicial review

Four solicitors who launched a High Court challenge against the Legal Services Commission (LSC), claiming that its immigration accreditation scheme breaches race discrimination laws, have had their application for judicial review refused on the basis that it is 'well out of time'.


However, the solicitors have filed a renewal of claim and will challenge the decision in an oral hearing in several weeks' time.


Mr Justice Burton awarded the LSC almost £4,000 in costs, subject to written submissions by the claimants.


He also noted that there was 'every justification for requiring demonstration of appropriate standards in immigration asylum cases, where the clients are by definition unfamiliar with legal services in this country, and are not generally in a position to assess the competencies of their legal representatives, and where there is evident and justifiable concern as to the standards of some lawyers and their staff'.


The solicitors, who are pursuing the action in a personal capacity, are Godwin Ijomanta, partner at Mantas & Co; Obisike Nwokeji, assistant solicitor at Chartwell & Sadlers; Marie Chamberlin, partner at Chamberlin; and Chidolue Okafor, assistant solicitor at Dozie & Co.


Tiki Emezie, partner at C T Emezie in London who is representing the four, said the judge had not refused leave for an oral hearing in a few weeks. He added that he did not believe there was a time limit on challenging a continuing act of unlawful discrimination.


Crispin Passmore, director of community legal service at the LSC, said: 'Accreditation is a key part of the LSC's focus on improving services delivered to clients. We welcome the High Court's decision on this case: these are vulnerable clients and we have a responsibility to ensure that they are able to access quality assured legal advice.'