Asylum & Protection
Navigating complex Home Office procedures, interviews, and protection claims. Our dedicated immigration solicitors deliver strategic legal representation to safeguard your future.
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What Is Asylum?
Asylum is a form of protection available to individuals who cannot safely return to their home country because they have a well-founded fear of persecution or serious harm. In the UK, asylum claims are assessed by the Home Office under the Refugee Convention and human rights law. To qualify, applicants must generally demonstrate that they fear persecution because of factors such as their race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group.
Important update on refugee settlement
The UK Government has announced plans to change the route to permanent settlement for many people granted refugee status. Under the proposals, some refugees may receive an initial 30 months’ permission to stay, with regular reviews of their protection status, and may not become eligible to apply for settlement until they have lived in the UK for up to 20 years. These changes are being introduced in stages, with some requiring legislation before they take effect. If you are affected, it is important to seek up-to-date immigration advice about how the new rules may apply to your circumstances and to look at alternative options or see whether your settlement can be reduced.
Our Asylum Services
At Arona St James Solicitors, we provide comprehensive legal support throughout every stage of the asylum process.
Initial Asylum Application
Making a strong asylum claim from the outset is essential.
We can assist with:
- Preparing and submitting asylum claims
- Detailed case assessments
- Gathering supporting evidence
- Witness statements
- Preparing for Home Office interviews
- Advice on eligibility and legal requirements
We work closely with our clients to ensure their experiences and circumstances are accurately presented.
The Screening Interview
After an individual claims asylum in the UK, the first formal step is usually a Screening Interview with the Home Office.
The purpose of the Screening Interview is to gather basic information about the applicant and establish the basis of their asylum claim. It is not the stage where an applicant is expected to provide a detailed account of everything that has happened to them.
During the interview, the Home Office may ask questions about:
- Personal details and identity
- Family members
- Nationality and country of origin
- Travel history and route to the UK
- Immigration history
- General reasons for seeking asylum
- Any immediate welfare or safeguarding concerns
It is important that the information provided is accurate and consistent, as it will form part of the applicant’s asylum record.
At Arona St James Solicitors, we can advise you before your Screening Interview, explain what to expect and help ensure you understand the process and your legal rights.
The Substantive Asylum Interview
The Substantive Interview is one of the most important stages of an asylum application. Unlike the Screening Interview, this interview focuses in detail on the reasons why an individual is seeking protection in the UK. The Home Office will assess the applicant’s account, supporting evidence and personal circumstances before making a decision on the asylum claim.
Topics discussed during a Substantive Interview may include:
- Events that occurred in the home country
- Experiences of persecution, violence or discrimination
- Political, religious or social circumstances
- Fear of returning to the country of origin
- Supporting documents and evidence
- Personal and family circumstances
The interview can often last several hours and applicants may be asked detailed questions about their experiences and the chronology of events.
Because the Home Office will carefully consider the information provided during this interview, preparation is essential. Inconsistencies, omissions or misunderstandings can affect the outcome of a claim.
Our experienced immigration solicitors can help you:
- Understand the purpose of the interview
- Review your asylum claim in detail
- Prepare supporting evidence
- Identify potential issues before the interview
- Ensure you are fully prepared for questioning
We work closely with our clients to help them present their circumstances clearly, accurately and confidently.
Recent Successful Asylum Claims
Managing Sensitive Security Issues
We recently represented a family whose circumstances involved high-profile political and security concerns in their country of origin. Cases involving individuals who may be of interest to state authorities or senior officials often require careful liaison with the Home Office and can be subject to additional security and intelligence checks, resulting in delays.
Our role was to ensure that the asylum claim was presented thoroughly, supported by appropriate evidence, and that the family understood the process throughout. We also advised on related issues involving overseas authorities and family members, ensuring that relevant evidence from both inside and outside the UK was properly obtained while protecting the client’s safety and legal position.
Family Members Joining a Refugee in the UK
When a person has already been granted refugee status, family members arriving in the UK may have different immigration options available to them. Depending on their individual circumstances, they may be eligible to apply as dependants or may need to make an asylum claim in their own right.
We advised our client and their family on the most appropriate route, ensuring that each application reflected their individual circumstances while maintaining consistency across the family’s immigration history.
Why Early Legal Advice Matters
The asylum process can be complex, and decisions often depend on the quality of evidence presented and the consistency of the information provided.
The UK Government advises that asylum should generally be claimed as soon as it becomes unsafe for an individual to return to their country of origin. Applications are typically followed by screening interviews and detailed consideration by the Home Office.
Obtaining legal advice at an early stage can help ensure that:
- Your claim is properly prepared
- Relevant evidence is identified
- Deadlines are met
- Your legal rights are protected
- You understand each stage of the process
A Personal & Client-Focused Approach
The asylum process can be complex, making early legal advice essential. Seeking support at the outset can help ensure your claim is properly prepared, key evidence is identified, deadlines are met and your rights are protected throughout the process. At Arona St James Solicitors, we provide clear, confidential and tailored legal advice, guiding you through every stage of your asylum claim with professionalism, sensitivity and care.
If you are seeking protection in the UK or require advice regarding an asylum matter, Arona St James Solicitors are here to help.
Our experienced immigration team provides professional, compassionate and tailored legal support for individuals facing complex asylum and protection issues.
Contact us today via email on assistance@aronastjames.co.uk or via telephone on 020 175 5000 to arrange a confidential consultation and discuss your circumstances with one of our immigration solicitors.
FAQs
Individuals who fear persecution or serious harm in their home country may be eligible to seek asylum in the UK, subject to the requirements of immigration and refugee law.
Applicants are usually required to attend a screening interview followed by a more detailed asylum interview before a decision is made by the Home Office.
In many cases, there may be a right of appeal or other legal options available depending on the circumstances.
Timescales vary significantly depending on the complexity of the case and Home Office processing times.
Yes. We can assess whether new evidence or changed circumstances may support a fresh claim or further submissions.
Client reviews
What clients say about our asylum & protection team
“The team at Arona St James is absolutely fantastic. They have managed my immigration cases on two occasions now, both in 2023 and 2026. Laila was so attentive to detail in managing our case, which is perhaps not the most conventional. She worked through everything in a clear and informative approach - something you really appreciate when you're stressed and under pressure. Arona gives solid and pragmatic advice that not only reflects the shifting world that UK immigration is facing but will always offer her advice in a manner that is best for the applicant. If you are looking for a team that provides results, honest and realistic advice, as well as clear communicative processes, Arona and Laila are the perfect team. 100% recommended.”
“I have been Arone’s and Laila’s client for over 15 years, as a family we are grateful for their service. I can’t recommend my solicitor highly enough. Laila handled my husband’s visa application with professionalism, care, and incredible attention to detail from start to finish. What could have been a stressful and overwhelming process felt smooth and well-managed thanks to Laila’s clear guidance and constant communication. She took the time to explain every step, answered all our questions promptly, and made sure all documents were perfectly prepared before submission. Her expertise and reassurance gave us real confidence throughout. Thanks to Laila’s hard work and dedication, my husband’s Indefinite Live to Remain was successfully approved, and we are so grateful. If you’re looking for someone reliable, knowledgeable, and genuinely supportive, I would absolutely recommend Arona's and Laila’s service.”
“Arona St James have been incredibly helpful and professional throughout my case. Arona's legally rigorous and strategic work was instrumental in securing approval of the case from the Home Office, and I would recommend her as the Primary Solicitor for anyone needing assistance in their practice areas. She gave me instructions on evidence to collate, reviewed all evidence with precision and care, drafted very competent legal representations, and gave strategic opinions on all aspects of the case. Her years of experience in the field definitely made a difference on the outcome of my case. Additionally, Trainee Solicitor Gwan Choi was professional in her representations of the case and working under Arona's guidance. She executed her duties successfully and professionally. I felt heard throughout the process; they truly understood my priorities and delivered accordingly. They are one of London's best practices for immigration, partnership, asylum, and human rights cases. They are also particularly excellent with LGBTQ+ cases, and I would recommend them without hesitation”
Arrange a confidential consultation
Contact us today via email on assistance@aronastjames.co.uk or via telephone on 020 8175 5000 to arrange a confidential consultation and discuss your circumstances with one of our immigration solicitors.