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Immigration

IAS – Immigration Advisory Service immigration files to be destroyed

Former Immigration Advisory Service clients can retrieve their files until 28 May 2012

 

The Chief Registrar, Mr Registrar Baister, announced that any former UK Immigration Advisory Service (IAS) clients will be able to retrieve their files from the archives from now 27 February 2012 until 28 May 2012.

The announcement was made at the hearing of the Joint Administrators’ application for directions as to what to do with the files that were in the IAS archive at the time when IAS closed down.

The IAS was a free charity service that gave legal advice and representation to immigrants and asylum seekers in England and Scotland. From April 2009 until March 2010, the charity handled more than 24,000 cases. On 11 July 2011, IAS went into unannounced administration, blaming financial difficulties caused by government strangles attached to the  legal aid system. As a result thousands of immigrants awaiting the outcome of their immigration applications were left stranded without any legal advisers.

A statement released by Mr Registrar Baister stated, “If you are a former client of IAS and want to retrieve your file, pursuant to a court order made on 27 February 2012, you now have only until midnight on 28th May 2012 to make a request for retrieval.”

If former clients of the IAS  don’t make the request for the file within this time frame, any files held by IAS  will be securely destroyed. Former IAS clients are advised to contact the IAS immediately.

Any former IAS clients seeking immigration or asylum representation can contact us on 020 8401 7352 for an appointment. We are currently offering an expedited service to former IAS clients who have urgent circumstances. However; please note, for obvious reasons, we do not accept Legal Aid work.