In October 2016, the UK government introduced a 500% increase in appeal fees despite opposition from law firms, judges and various professional bodies. However, after just under 2 months of this being implemented in practice, the government has backtracked on this decision and taken a significant U-turn by announcing today that they wish to reconsider this matter once again.
From today all applicants will be charged fees at previous levels and we will reimburse, in all cases where the new fees have been paid, the difference between that fee and the previous fee.From today all applicants will be charged fees at previous levels and we will reimburse, in all cases where the new fees have been paid, the difference between that fee and the previous fee.From today’s date, all applicants will be charged the fee at the level that it was prior to the increases introduced on 10th October 2016. Applicants who have paid the new fees from that date until now, will be awarded reimbursement for the difference between the new fee that they have paid and the previous one.
Alongside the fee increases introduced on 10th October 2016, the government also widened the exemptions to paying appeal fees and this will remain in place. This is important as it provides protection for some of the most vulnerable users of the Tribunal. Those who are exempt from paying appeal fees remain as follows:
- Those with a Home office fee waiver (by evidencing that they are destitute; that paying the fee would render them destitute; or that there are 'exceptional circumstances' which do not allow them to pay);
- Those who qualify for Legal Aid or Asylum support;
- Those appealing against a decision to deprive them of their citizenship;
- Children who are being supported by a local authority;
- Those appealing against decisions to revoke their refugee or humanitarian protected status;
- Those with parental responsibility for children receiving supporting from local authorities; and
- Children who are being housed by a Local Authority.
If you would like to discuss the recent changes then please contact a member of the Drummond Miller immigration team.