Asylum seeker advice charity faces closure due to legal aid changes

The problems facing the charity have been caused by legal aid changes whereby payments are only made once decisions on cases are made.

This is delaying payments by up to two years and the charity has launched a campaign calling on the government to review the legal aid payment structure and ensure money is paid more promptly.

Caroline Slocock, RMJ chief executive, said: "We are not asking for new money, simply prompt payment of legal aid for the work it has carried out. Charities like us cannot wait for up to two years for payment while the Home Office processes cases."
 
But the charity is pessimistic that such a review will happen, as it has been told by the government that swift changes to legal aid payments would be too costly and disruptive as new legal aid contracts are about to be issued.

Other asylum seeker specialist legal organisations have backed RMJ's campaign.
 
Julie Bishop, director of the Law Centres Federation, said: "Many law centres continue to struggle with late payment of legal aid and the length of time it takes to get paid for immigration matters. Managing cash flow is a constant source of difficulty."