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Duncan Lewis Solicitors has achieved a critical outcome for Gazan students set to begin fully funded postgraduate courses at UK universities this autumn.

These students, many of whom are pursuing fields such as healthcare and data science, are determined to gain the skills and knowledge needed to return to Gaza and help rebuild their communities.

However, the ongoing conflict and lack of an operational visa application centre in Gaza meant they faced the real risk of missing enrolment deadlines and losing their academic offers and scholarships.

To overcome these barriers, the students requested expedited consideration of their visa applications and permission to defer biometrics under the Home Office’s Unsafe Journeys policy. This would allow them to receive visa approval in principle, enrol biometrics in a third country en route, and arrive in time for their courses.

The Home Secretary has now confirmed that these requests will be expedited, ensuring the students can take up their hard-won university places.

Raman Kumar, lead solicitor for the Gazan Students, said: “We welcome the Home Secretary’s confirmation that Gazan students holding fully funded scholarships will now be able to take up their places at UK universities this autumn. This outcome reflects the urgency of their situation and the importance of ensuring access to education even in the most difficult of circumstances. It is a significant result not only for our clients but for all affected students and we are proud of have worked collaboratively with all members of the legal team, Gaza Scholarship Initiative and UK Gaza Community to have secured this critical outcome”.

The urgency of the humanitarian situation was underscored by warnings from the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, and the UK’s own representatives about the acute risk of famine, starvation, and collapse of essential services in Gaza. Without expedited action, there was a real danger that the students might not live to benefit from the outcome of their cases.

The announcement was made on September 1, following months of extensive Pre-Action correspondence between the Home Office and Duncan Lewis, highlighting the time-critical situation of these students. The Government will now expedite the student visa applications along with deferral of biometrics, for students from Gaza who have been awarded fully funded scholarships at UK universities.

Speaking in the House of Commons on 2 September 2025, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP, said:

“I can confirm the Home Office has put in place systems to issue expedited visas, with biometric checks conducted prior to arrival for children and their immediate accompanying family members. We have done the same for all the Chevening scholars and are in the process of doing so now for the next group of students who have been awarded fully funded scholarships and places at UK universities so they can start their studies in Autumn this year.”

Critically, this commitment by the Government applies to all Gazan students who are due to commence fully funded academic courses in the UK this autumn. This outcome achieved by the legal team goes far beyond the individual expedition sought on behalf of our cohort of 40 students whom we represent and marks a significant victory for all others similarly situated.

The litigation strategy was also supported and strengthened by the work of the Gaza Scholarship Initiative (GSI), led by Dr Nora Parr, and two representatives of the Gaza students, and further, Basem Farajallah and team at UK Gaza community, who coordinated the students and lobbied extensively on their behalf.

The Gazan Students were represented by Solicitor, Raman Kumar, Director, Nazia Khan, Trainee Solicitor, Jessie Shepherd and Caseworker, Auhona Majumdar. The Counsel team instructed are Sonali Naik KC, Maha Sardar and Maria Moodie of Garden Court Chambers and Finnian Clarke of Doughty Street Chambers.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Solicitors, an award-winning law firm, is renowned for its exceptional legal services and commitment to justice. The company employs a team of highly skilled solicitors offering top-tier representation in 25 fields of law, and ranked as top tier by the Chambers and the Legal 500 legal guides, and as one of the top 250 law firms in the country by the Times. Duncan Lewis was crowned Law Firm of the Year at the Modern Law Awards 2023, further establishing its credentials as one of the leading law firms in the UK.