Successful ARAP Relocation for Afghan Police & Special Forces Officer (27 February 2026)

Duncan Lewis Solicitors’ Public Law team has successfully secured the relocation of an Afghan police and Special Forces officer and his family to the United Kingdom under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP).

The matter was led by Public Law Solicitor Jamie Bell, supported by Senior Caseworker Anya Gardner-Mohammed, whose work resulted in the family’s safe transfer to the UK.

Case Summary

The client, (‘PM’) formerly worked with the Police in the Kabul Police Chief Headquarters and went on to work in the Ministry of Interior and in the Special Forces regiment, SPATW, in Afghanistan prior to the Taliban takeover in August 2021. As part of his role with the Special Forces Unit, PM worked closely alongside the UK regiment, the Four Rifles, in combined operations and trainings. PM worked in logistics, working to provide food, equipment, and weaponry to the British and Afghan officers. PM worked alongside British advisors and received a stipend from the British government as part of his salary.

During his employment, PM received a number of threats from the Taliban. Unrepresented, PM made an application under the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Program in August 2021, however, PM was found ineligible under this scheme in October 2022. PM submitted a review of the decision which was refused in May 2024 when the ineligibility decision was maintained.

From August 2021 until his relocation to Pakistan in January 2026, PM lived in hiding in Afghanistan with his wife and two young children (now aged 2 and 3 years old). PM sought to challenge the refusal of the ineligibility decision that was made on his ARAP application.

In November 2024, Duncan Lewis assisted PM to request a discretionary reconsideration of his case. This request was made out of time given that the 90 day window to request a review expired prior to PM instructing Duncan Lewis. PM received a positive eligibility decision in January 2025.

Following the positive eligibility decision, Duncan Lewis went on to initiate pre-action protocol proceedings against the Ministry of Defence for the extensive delays in progressing PM’s relocation to the United Kingdom as he remained in hiding in Afghanistan. PM and his family eventually moved to Pakistan in January 2026 where they have since undergone the requisite security checks. PM and his family arrived safely to the UK in February 2026.

This case follows the previous commitment and persistence of Jamie Bell and Anya Gardner-Mohammed in representing Afghan clients. PM’s case sheds light on the erroneous decisions within the UK resettlement schemes in practice limiting the eligibility of those who have assisted the UK mission in Afghanistan.

Jamie Bell is an experienced solicitor at Duncan Lewis in the public law team recognised as a Recommended Lawyer in the 2025 Legal 500. He has significant expertise in a wide variety of complex and high profile cases and a leader in the field in representing Afghan nationals in the asylum appeal and judicial review claim with great success. He is willing to act under extreme time pressures to ensure that justice is achieved for his clients.

Anya Gardner-Mohammed is a senior caseworker under the supervisor of Jamie Bell. She takes instructions on a wide array of public law challenges and has growing expertise within strategic litigation challenging decisions regarding the ACRS and ARAP resettlement schemes and in relation to age-disputed minors. She has experience working sensitively with vulnerable clients in unpredictable situations, whilst gathering evidence at pace, allowing clients to disclose sensitive issues in order to advance their case.

Jamie Bell can be contacted at JameB@duncanlewis.com or via telephone at 020 3114 1184. Anya Gardner-Mohammed can be contacted at AnyaG@duncanlewis.com or via telephone at 02031141179.

This case demonstrates our continued commitment to protecting vulnerable young people and upholding their rights.

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.

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