A new joint policy briefing ‘Stateless People in the UK: at risk of legal limbo, in need of protection’ has been released by several organisations, which draws attention to the precarious legal situation of stateless people in the UK. Border Criminologies, at the University of Oxford, has published a blog written by Sophie Cartwright (Senior Policy Officer at the Jesuit Refugee Service UK), which summarises the briefing. It highlights that despite international obligations, the UK's statelessness determination procedure is fraught with issues, including an onerous burden of proof, lack of appeal rights, and lengthy delays. Recent changes to Immigration Rules in January 2024 have further complicated family reunification for stateless individuals. The briefing also notes that prohibitive citizenship fees and limited access to legal aid in England and Wales compound difficulties for those seeking to resolve their stateless status. These systemic challenges leave many stateless people at risk of exploitation and unable to regularise their situation, despite existing legal frameworks intended to provide protection.

The Bevan Foundation has published a new briefing setting out the serious drop in access to legal aid for immigration cases in Wales. Findings include a 55% drop in matter starts since 2015/16, only five providers remaining and most other free services are only regulated at OISC Level 1 (so cannot work on complex cases).

The loss incurred by a life company in the first year of a policy representing the excess of the acquisition expenses over the income received by the company in that first year.

The Home Office has issued caseworker guidance for entry clearance decision makers and Border Force officers on the Diplomatic Visa Arrangement (DVA) visa, set to replace diplomatic visa waivers from 11 March 2025. The DVA visa is a visitor visa for diplomatic passport holders from China, Indonesia, South Africa, Turkey, or Vietnam, whose application is backed by their government through the inclusion of their name on a Note Verbale, verifying their eligibility for the DVA. The DVA visa, valid for two years with multiple entries of up to six months each, aims to facilitate diplomatic travel while also permitting personal visits. Applicants must be over 18, provide a Note Verbale from their government, and submit a facial photograph meeting passport standards. Unlike standard visitor visas, DVA applicants are exempt from fees and biometric requirements. The guidance outlines specific eligibility criteria, application processes, and grounds for refusal.

The Home Office and Jess Phillips, the Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women and Girls, have announced that victims of modern slavery will receive enhanced support from government through new measures. This increased support will be achieved through the recruitment of 200 additional Home Office caseworkers with the aim of speeding up case processing. The Home Office is currently in the recruitment process and new staff will begin in early 2025.

Instructions for completion Where you are opening a new matter for a new client, you should complete this form together with a new matter form. Please submit the completed forms to [state who] and retain a copy for the matter file. 1 Fee earner and source of instructions Fee earner or team [Insert fee earner or team name] Name of supervisor [Insert name of supervisor] Source of clientPlease tick ☐ Recommendation from existing/former client☐ Referral from another solicitor or professional: [state who]☐ Referral from an introducer: [state who]☐ Direct approach from prospective client☐ Other: [describe] Purpose and intended nature of the business relationship [Insert details] 2 Client details It is very important that we capture certain information in the right format. [ Be careful to record the client's full name and address as per the form and be vigilant in identifying any alias or possible spelling variations. This is not always as simple as it seems. For instance, you might record your client as Miss Louise Armstrong-Smith, whereas another member of the firm could record the same individual as Miss L Armstrong Smith, or Louise A Smith. Equally, 41 Cornwall Crescent may also be known

The LexisNexis UK Practice Compliance practical guidance team has launched a refreshed suite of horizon scanning and development tracking content on Lexis+, designed to help compliance professionals in law firms stay ahead of key future developments in law firm compliance.

The LexisNexis UK Risk & Compliance practical guidance team has launched a refreshed suite of horizon scanning and development tracking content on Lexis+, designed to help in-house lawyers and compliance professionals in the private sector stay ahead of key developments in risk and compliance.

The Home Office has announced a new criminal offence for those who organise or facilitate illegal gatherings and breach social distancing restrictions ahead of the bank holiday on 31 August 2020 amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Those who facilitate or organise illegal raves, unlicensed music events, or other illegal gatherings of over 30 people may face a fine of £10,000. The new criminal offence comes into force on 28 August 2020. Fines of £100 will continue to be issued to those who attend illegal gatherings and those who have already received a fine will see the amount doubled on each offence, up to a maximum of £3,200.

A briefing issued by the Migration Observatory notes that Home Office asylum and visa data for year ending June 2024 confirms that the new government has inherited falling immigration, following newly implemented policy changes on legal migration made by the last government. This will make it easier for the new government to meet its commitment to reduce net migration.

Law360: Britain's pensions watchdog on 29 July 2024 said its long-awaited funding code for defined benefit retirement savings plans has been laid before Parliament, marking what it called a 'significant step'.

Law360: the long-awaited funding code of practice for defined benefit pension schemes went live on 12 November 2024, introducing what the Pensions Minister described as a 'stronger set of standards' for the sector.