Immigration Tribunals 'Streamlined'

UK immigration appeals have been streamlined as part of a new two-tier tribunals service structure.

The former Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) is the latest to benefit from the process of bringing all the main tribunals into a unified tribunals system.

Kevin Sadler, Chief Executive of the Tribunals Service said: "This transfer marks another major step in the implementation of the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 and furthers our goal of a simpler and more consistent process across the many different types of appeal."

Under the previous structure, if a party wished to challenge a decision made by the AIT, it had to apply to the tribunal for it to reconsider its decision.

If the tribunal decided not to reconsider, the party could then apply to the High Court (in England and Wales) or the Outer House of the Court of Session (in Scotland) to seek a reconsideration.

From today, initial appeals against decisions made by the Home Office will be dealt with in the First Tier Tribunal - but any onward appeal will be handled by the specialist Upper Tribunal rather than the higher courts.

This is a key change to the current arrangements that will ease the immigration workload of the higher courts and allow speedier consideration for non-immigration matters.

The creation of this immigration and asylum-specific Upper Tribunal chamber will ensure that specialist immigration judges continue to provide jurisdictional expertise.

Six other jurisdictions have already successfully transferred into the unified structure this year, and two more are scheduled to move over in April.

Senior President of Tribunals Lord Justice Carnwath said: "I am delighted to welcome the immigration judiciary into the new, unified structure. The transfer of this important jurisdiction is a real vote of confidence in the new system."

(PR/GK)