Asylum Seeker Takes Own Life After Failing to Find Solicitor

Tue, 03 Aug 2010

The Legal Services Commission (LSC) is facing strong criticism from refugee support groups after an asylum seeker took his own life after learning that he would not receive legal aid . Osman Rasul, a 27 year old Iraqi Kurd, was turned away by Home Office immigration officers in his quest to receive legal aid and was instead told to find a solicitor .

Described by the local refugee centre as destitute, Rasul spent nine years trying to win a legal battle that would enable him to avoid deportation, before he jumped from the seventh floor balcony of a Nottingham tower block on Sunday.

Rasul’s hopes of receiving legal aid were dealt a big blow last month when the Refugee and Migrant Justice (RMJ) charity went into administration. The RMJ blamed its plight on the LSC’s policy of delayed payment, claiming that the legal representation of 900 separated children and more than 10,000 asylum seekers is now at risk.

Four years ago, the LSC changed the legal aid system so that only fixed fees would be paid at the end of each case – a move which has seen the number of lawyers and immigration advisers willing to take on such cases dwindle.
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