Materials used in making asylum decisions in the U.K.

Extract

Three groups of people are involved in making decisions about who should and who should not be given asylum in Britain. The most important are Home Office civil servants, caseworkers in the Integrated Casework Division of the Asylum Directorate. They make the initial decision to grant or refuse asylum and plainly need quick access to a wide range of materials if they are to make a fair decision and only the Home Office can grant asylum. A second tier of people becomes involved when someone is refused asylum and appeals against this decision. Many of these will seek the help of a solicitor or legal advisor who will assist them to prepare their appeal case and these will need to have very speedy access to materials which will enable them to understand the situation from which their client has fled. A small third tier of people exists.