News

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is proud to announce that public law solicitors Jamie Bell and Elleanor Wilkins-Bell have contributed to the latest UNHCR report, Further Submissions in the UK: An Audit of the UK’s Further Submissions Procedures and Decision-Making, and Recommendations for Change.

The report provides a comprehensive review of the UK's procedures for further submissions in the asylum process, drawing on extensive research, including visits to the Further Submissions Unit (FSU) in Liverpool, audits of applications, and insights from legal practitioners, Home Office staff, and individuals with lived experience.

Key findings highlight the financial and emotional burden of requiring applicants to travel to Liverpool, a lack of confidence among decision-makers in handling complex cases, and inefficiencies caused by inadequate dialogue between legal representatives and decision-makers.

The report makes 12 recommendations, including allowing applications to be submitted online, implementing a triage system for case allocation, and enhancing training for decision-makers. UNHCR will work with the Home Office to address these concerns and implement necessary reforms.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is committed to advocating for fairness and accessibility in asylum and immigration law and are delighted that Jamie and Elleanor have made contributed  to this vital research.

The full report is available here: UNHCR Report.

Jamie Bell is a Solicitor in the Public Law and Immigration Department at Duncan Lewis Solicitors. Since joining the firm in August 2014, he has gained extensive experience handling complex and high-profile cases, demonstrating a strong commitment to justice and client advocacy.

Jamie is known for his dedication to protecting the rights of asylum seekers, often working under extreme time pressures to prevent unlawful removals.

Elleanor Wilkins-Bell is a Public Law Solicitor at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, based in the City of London office. Working under the direct supervision of Solicitor Jamie Bell and Director Toufique Hossain, she is accredited as a solicitor under the Law Society's Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme.

Eleanor specialises in representing vulnerable clients, including victims of torture, sexual abuse, and trafficking, as well as unaccompanied minors.

About Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a leading UK law firm, recognised for its excellence across a broad spectrum of legal services. Ranked Top Tier in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, the firm was named Law Firm of the Year at the LexisNexis Awards 2024, following its win in the same category at the Modern Law Awards 2023.

The firm’s Immigration and Public Law team is particularly renowned for handling complex and high-profile cases involving human rights and asylum seekers. With landmark successes in cases such as Brook House, the Rwanda Challenge, and Manston House, Duncan Lewis continues to provide unparalleled legal representation, ensuring justice for the most vulnerable.