Shawstone Associates Solicitors

03/12/2023

Happy Small Business Saturday…….Thank you to Shawstone Associates Solicitors for sponsoring Light Up Whitton - Christmas Market and Lights Switch On - Family Fun Day. Share some kindness today and let them know how yoy found their services 🖋️

Whitton Village

01/01/2023

Wishing everyone a very happy new year from all at Shawstone Associates Solicitors

09/10/2022

If you are child who has lived continuously in the Uk for 7 years, you may now be entitled to apply for settlement based on the new changes brought into place after 20 June 2022. Contact us on 0208 159 2888 for an appointment or further information.

15/09/2022

2022 has had a lot to digest! Here is the breakdown for you on the Nationality and Borders Act!

What are the new changes to the Nationality and Borders Act 2022? Recently, one of the most talked about, and controversial Immigration topics right now is the changes to the Nationality and Borders Act 2022. This Act affects anyone who entered the country and claimed asylum after the 28 June 2022.....

12/09/2022

Have a read of the new Nationality and Borders Act and how it is affecting the LGBTQ community!!

Nationality and Borders Act 2022: the increased standard of proof for finding persecution and it’s effect on LGBTQ Asylum Seekers On 28 June 2022 the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 was passed. Section 32 (2) of this act establishes a two-stage test to determine whether an asylum seeker’s fear ...

28/04/2022

We are recruiting Full Time level 1 or 2 IAAS accredited immigration caseworkers /solicitors and consultant solicitors to undertake legal aided and private immigration work. You must have knowledge in all aspects of immigration matters and be able to handle your own caseload meet client expectations and deadlines. There is scope to progress within the firm for the suitable candidate. Supervisors status and a private client following would be a bonus. Please write to us or email your cv to [email protected]

11/04/2022

April 2022 marks the beginning of a major turning point within family law. The Courts have now introduced ‘no fault divorce’ now aimed at reducing conflict between separating couples, essentially ending the ‘blame game’.

Have a read of our latest Article to find out more...

https://www.shawstoneassociates.com/has-divorce-finally-gotten-easier/

06/04/2022

Let the Blame Game END! No Fault Divorce comes into Force in England and Wales today! You may now end a marriage without a reason. Need advise? Contact us on 0208 159 2888

22/03/2022

Check out our latest post about Ukrainian Nationals in the UK!

https://www.shawstoneassociates.com/how-are-the-uk-supporting-ukrainian-nationals-in-the-uk/

How are the UK supporting Ukrainian Nationals in the UK? In most recent news, tensions have been rising between Ukraine and Russia in their recent border conflict. On the 24 February 2022, Russia launched their attack on Ukraine, and as a result many Ukrainian nationals have been forced to flee thei...

02/03/2022

Another Spouse Visa Grant! Our Client was granted his Spouse Visa and was thrilled with our speed and professionalism. Despite his disabilities of being Deaf and Dumb we were able to take his instructions and submit his application without any hindrances. We at Shawstone are here for anyone who is looking for representation for their Visa Application!

11/02/2022

Do Check Out the latest post on The Afghan Resettlement Scheme on our website -

https://www.shawstoneassociates.com/the-afghan-resettlement-schemes/

The Afghan Resettlement Schemes ACRS and the ARAP: What’s the difference? ARAP Scheme The ARAP scheme (Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy started on 01 April 2021 and aimed to offer priority individuals relocation to the UK. Priority individuals are defined as any current or former member of...

22/01/2022

Another Spouse Visa Grant!

Another victory for our client who has struggled with 3 spouse visa rejections in the past. He came to us seeking legal advise on what went wrong and VIOLA, his wife and children are now on their way to him!

The Home Office requirements for applications under Appendix FM seem quite simple on the face of it, but this extensive document sets out a number of rules that may easily be overlooked.

Appendix FM is for applications to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of their family life.
It sets out the legal requirements that applicants must meet to be eligible and granted permission to enter or remain under this route. It also sets out the rules that the Home Office must follow when deciding such applications.

You can only apply for a family-based visa under Appendix FM if you are related to or in a relationship with either:

A British citizen, or
A person settled in the UK, or
A person in the UK with limited leave as a refugee or someone granted humanitarian protection.

Family applications may be made by any member of the family –
Spouse
Partner
Parent
Child
Fiancé
Adult Dependant
Victim of Domestic Violence.
There are slightly differing criteria for each of the above relations.

We at Shawstone Associates can assist you with such applications on a PRIVATE or LEGAL AID basis. For more information on whether you are eligible for Legal Aid, please contact us.

We at Shawstone Associates are experienced in all aspects of UK immigration. Contact us for a phone consultation today!

18/01/2022

https://www.freemovement.org.uk/ethiopia-still-not-safe-for-oromo-liberation-front-supporters-country-guidance-confirms/

14/01/2022

Electronic tagging of asylum seekers: an abuse of Human Rights?

Priti Patel has fallen under scrutiny in her promise to ‘curb’ the number of people arriving on UK shores by tagging asylum seekers arriving in small boats across the English Channel. Electronic tagging is a form of bodily surveillance and is usually preceded by an extensive risk assessment of a person’s surroundings and behaviours.

Under the Home Office’s “new plan for immigration”, the Home Secretary is expected to announce this year that small boat arrivals will be electronically tagged, so as to avoid working-age people working illegally while their asylum claims are processed. It has been reported that this tactic will also make it easier for the Home Office to remove those whose application for asylum has failed. Ministers hope tags will deter people absconding during the application process, and will prevent the dangerous trip taken on Channel crossings, thus protecting people from modern slavery-type exploitation. Yet how ironic is the protection that would subject innocent asylum seekers to restriction on their movements, especially when they originate from countries where they have had severe breaches of their fundamental human rights?

Sources claim new legislation is not required because powers to require asylum seekers to wear tags are already available. As black-market jobs constitute a big pull factor for immigration into the UK, the Home Office has been urged to keep track of those who would take up these jobs by way of electronic tagging. There has been much ongoing debate regarding the practicability of this scheme, particularly as it has been argued by some as ‘draconian and ‘punitive’.

As the Home Office continues to expand their policies on deterrence, asylum seekers are now at risk of further surveillance and restricted civil liberties. This plan is the latest proposal in a string of ideas aimed at deterring and curbing the influx of asylum seekers in the UK, none of which have been successful thus far.
If you are subjected to or are unsure about the above-mentioned plans, our expert team of immigration and asylum solicitors in London can provide fast, friendly, and reliable advice. Reach out to us on 0208 159 2888 or email [email protected] for more enquiries.

08/01/2022

Home Office: Scientific methods to determine the age of asylum seekers

The number of asylum seekers coming into the UK is rapidly increasing, but an even bigger statistic are those than come to the UK claiming to be younger than they actually are. The Home Office has deemed this as a ‘significant issue’.

These asylum seekers who claim to be younger are able to access children’s services, care services and schools. From September 2020 until September 2021, the number of resolved age dispute cases was 1,696 where an asylum seeker was in fact older than they had reported when they came into the country. The Home Office has reported that two thirds of individuals who claim they are minors, are in fact over the age of 18. Which poses a significant risk to children and young adults who are already in schools and care.

In recent news, the Home Secretary said that they are attempting to change UK laws to introduce new scientific methods to assess the age of the asylum seeker before they are given access to children’s services. Many European countries use x-rays, CT scans and MRI imaging to view key parts of the body in order to ascertain the age of an individual. The UK are attempting to provide more support and resources to local councils in order to implement these scientific methods, which will look at body parts such as teeth and bones to help assess the true age of an asylum seeker.

In addition, the new laws are hoping to deter asylum seekers from lying about their age, as if they refuse to submit to these checks, then this could damage their credibility when assessing their asylum claim.

However, these scientific methods have been heavily criticised for being subjective, incurring expensive legal challenges, and issues around incorrect assessments could be disastrous. Priti Patel’s plan has been named as “flawed and dangerous” and that they are “inappropriate and unethical”. There is however much debate over whether these claims are fair, and many people believe that the risks that are currently posed by incorrect age assessments are substantial.