Immigration Solicitors

Duncan Lewis have secured an urgent interim relief order in relation to a postpartum mother who was in wholly inadequate Home Office accommodation.

The Claimant has been housed in unsuitable conditions throughout the later stages of her pregnancy and continued to stay in the same accommodation just weeks after undergoing an emergency C-section. To make matters worse, she was not accommodated with her partner, the father of her child, leaving her without crucial support when her child was born. The father has been now allowed to join them.

Prior to instructing Duncan Lewis, the Claimant made several attempts to request urgent accommodation for both herself and her partner form the Home Office and Migrant Help. However, these efforts were unsuccessful, leaving her to navigate the challenges of pregnancy and motherhood alone.

As soon as the Claimant sought assistance from Duncan Lewis Solicitors, essential evidence was promptly gathered, and an urgent pre-action letter was submitted with a shortened deadline for response. When the Home Office failed to respond, urgent proceedings for Judicial Review were initiated, including an application for urgent interim relief. Following shortly after the initiation of proceedings, the High Court ordered the Home Office to provide suitable accommodation for the Claimant and her baby urgently, and to prioritise accommodating the Claimant’s partner as well- unless valid reasons are presented to the Court by the same deadline.

The client was represented by Caseworker, Emma Breslin, and Solicitor, Tom Leahy under the supervision of Director, Gemma Lynch. Oliva Beach from One Pump Court Chambers was instructed as Counsel.

About Gemma Lynch

Gemma Lynch is a Director in the Immigration department at Duncan Lewis with over 10 years of experience in immigration and asylum matters. She represents both privately funded clients and those funded by legal aid. Gemma has significant experience in representing asylum seekers from Afghanistan and frequently assists clients from Eritrea, Iran and Syria.

About Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a multi-award-winning national law firm renowned for exceptional legal services and commitment to justice. With expertise in 25 areas of law, the firm is ranked in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 as a top-tier law firm and has been named a Times Top 250 Law Firm. Headquartered in London, the firm is recognised for its excellence in people management, holding the Investors in People Gold Standard Accreditation, and embraces a paperless, hybrid-working model.