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Civil Liberties & Human Rights

Immigration Detention Claims

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Susie Labinjoh
Partner
Cormac McDonough
Cormac McDonough
Partner
Jocelyn Cockburn
Jocelyn Cockburn
Partner
Maria O'Connell
Maria O’Connell
Partner
Nancy Collins
Nancy Collins
Partner
Sasha Barton
Sasha Barton
Partner
Alisha McSporran
Paralegal
Aniqa Khan
Paralegal
Aston Luff
Aston Luff
Solicitor
Brid Doherty
Brid Doherty
Solicitor
Charlotte Sykes
Charlotte Sykes
Solicitor
Darcey Hayes
Paralegal
Eliza Bell
Trainee
Guy Mitchell
Guy Mitchell
Solicitor
Lottie Baldwin
Lottie Baldwin
Solicitor
Megan Finnis
Megan Finnis
Solicitor
Rebecca Shotton
Rebecca Shotton
Trainee
Ruth Waters-Falk
Ruth Waters-Falk
Solicitor
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Sabrina Pinto
Paralegal
Sarah Flanagan
Sarah Flanagan
Associate
Sebastian Del Monte
Sebastian Del Monte
Solicitor
Shakti Bhagwansingh
Shakti Bhagwansingh
Solicitor
Sion Morgan
Sion Morgan
Solicitor
Siri Beck-Friis
Siri Beck-Friis
Paralegal
Will Heath
Will Heath
Paralegal

Hodge Jones & Allen has a formidable reputation for challenging unlawful immigration detention and for winning large compensations for those who have been wrongly detained.

There are strict rules about who can be detained by the Home Office for immigration reasons. For example, a person can be held in immigration detention pending their removal from the UK if they’ve tried all appeal rights.

Frequently however, the Home Office acts unlawfully. and contrary to its own published policies and procedures It’s not lawful to detain people unless they’re physically and mentally fit to be detained, or unless it’s possible to deport them within a realistic timeframe. If they can’t be realistically returned to their country of origin, they cannot be detained indefinitely.

Conditions in some immigration detention and removal centres are terrible, with poor access to healthcare. Many are run by private companies, and at times there are gross abuses of power by those in charge.

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Compensation claims against the police

Wrongly arresting and detaining people on immigration grounds. For example, we won substantial compensation from the police after they wrongly concluded a Claimant’s passport was fake and detained her for a significant period.

Claims against the Home office for unlawful detention

We recovered substantial damages for a claimant who was detained for many months in an immigration removal centre when she was seriously ill and not fit to be detained. In another case, the Home Office wrongly maintained that the Claimant was an Indian national (he was a British citizen) and detained him for months. Eventually they finally agreed that he was a British Citizen and couldn’t lawfully be deported or detained.

Claims against private companies

This includes companies such as Serco, who run immigration detention centres. We secured a significant sum of compensation for a woman who was assaulted by Serco officers in an apparent ‘health’ assessment. She suffered multiple cuts, bruising and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

We have extensive experience in these cases with a proven track record of success. We recognise the difficulty for individuals taking on and successfully challenging state bodies. We have experience in supporting extremely vulnerable victims, who may have been traumatised by their experience and for whom English may not be their first language.

Please be aware that we do not provide general immigration advice or assistance with bail applications before the immigration courts. Bail for immigration detainees (BID) may be able to assist with a bail application.

“THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING HODGE JONES & ALLEN [CLAIRE] HAVE DONE FOR MY FAMILY OVER THE LAST 8 MONTHS...THE SERVICE HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT PROFESSIONAL AND OUSTANDING."

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“The whole legal team are professional and empathetic with excellent communication.” “They are excellent in all regards, and are extremely kind, patient and helpful.” “The quality of their lawyers, the work they generate and the way they handle cases are excellent.” – Chambers UK, 2023

“Hodge Jones & Allen’s expertise and passion in this field are truly outstanding. Their comprehensive approach, combined with their deep understanding of the legal complexities involved, allows them to deliver impactful representation” – Legal 500, 2024

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"Very happy with the experience I had with this firm. Although it was a very long, drawn out case, they kept us informed periodically of the progress and it reached a successful ending."

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