Sub-Committees, Members meetings and Working Groups


Sub-committees are a chance for all members to be involved in the work of ILPA. To be added to the mailing list for a sub-committee, please get in out with info@ilpa.org.uk

Members meetings are ad hoc meetings convened around topics of particular interest. All members are welcome.

  • Access to Justice
    Convenors: Mark Henderson, Doughty Street Chambers and Michael Tarnoky, Refugee Legal Centre
    Future meetings: TBC (previous meeting 30 September 2008 (with guest speaker Lord Justice Carnwath))
    Examples of recent and current projects:   

  • Consultation on appeals and changes to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal

  • Asylum Fast Track and Detention
    Convenors: Russell Blakely, Wilson and Co and Pierre Makhlouf, Bail for Immigration Detainees
    Future meetings: TBC (previous meeting 23 July 2008)
    Examples of current and recent projects:   

  • Representation in the detained fast track including question of legal aid   
  • Use of video links   
  • ILPA's The Detained Fast Track Process: a best practice guide which was launched on 25 February 2008

  • Children
    Convenor: Hermione McEwen, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit
    Future meetings: TBC (previous meeting 6 June 2008)
    Examples of current and recent projects:   

  • Comments on draft Asylum Instructions on children, work on the forced returns of children   
  • Work on age disputes following publication of ILPA's When a Child is not a Child? Asylum age disputes and the process of age assessment

  • Economic Migration
    Convenors: Philip Barth, Penningtons, Philip Trott, Bates, Wells and Braithwaite, Nichola Carter, Ghersons
    Future meetings: 7 October, 4 November, 2 December, 6.15pm at ILPA
    Examples of current and recent projects:   

  • Responding to the UK Border Agency's handling of the licensing of employers as sponsors   
  • Work on a Points Based System for managed migration

  • European
    Convenors: Elspeth Guild, Kingsley Napley, Alison Hunter, Wesley Gryk Solicitors
    Future meetings: 3 November 2008, 15 December 2008 6.30pm at Kingsley Napley
    Examples of current and recent projects:   

  • December ILPA conference on Article 3   
  • Special edition of Tolley's Immigration and Nationality Law, the journal of the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association, on the Implementation of the Citizen's Directive (2004/38) in the UK and related work arising out of the ILPA seminar on the Directive   
  • Work on proposals for employer sanctions and the prevention of illegal working at European Union Level

  • Family and General
    Convenor: Sue Shutter
    Future meetings: 17 September 6.30pm at ILPA
    Peter Moss from Bates Wells & Braithwaite LLP will be chairing a discussion on the long residence rules. Several members have expressed concern about changes in how the UK BA is dealing with applications under these rules. We hope to collate and share information about this and discuss future action. All ILPA members welcome or send information or queries to info@ilpa.org.uk with headline 'long residence rules.'

    Examples of current and recent projects:   

  • Question of no recourse to public funds for survivors of domestic violence   
  • Long residence rule

  • Immigration Offences
    Convenors: Jawaid Luqmani, Luqmani Thompson, Richard Thomas, Doughty Street Chambers
    Future meetings: TBC (previous meeting 21 July)
    To cover renewed section 2 prosecutions following Osman and Mohammed; House of Lords in R v Asfaw; section 35 prosecutions; compensation; training of duty solicitor schemes around Heathrow, Gatwick, Stanstead.
    Examples of current and recent projects:   

  • Automatice Deportation   
  • Work on foreign national prisoners

  • Legal Aid
    Convenors: Jackie Peirce, Glazer Delmar and Sonia Routledge, Birnberg Peirce
    Future meetings: TBC (previous meeting 18 June 2008)
    Examples of current and recent projects:   

  • Implementation of the fixed fee regime   
  • Representation of ILPA at the Law Society/Legal Services Commission Civil Contracts Consultative Group   
  • Staged billing, payment on account and payments for work in progress.

  • Training
    Alison Stanley, Bindman and Partners, Chris Randall, Bates Wells and Braithwaite, Hermione McEwen, Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit, Tim Barnden, Wesley Gryk Solicitors, Mick Chatwin, Renaissance Chambers, S Chelvan, Mitre House Chambers, Jim Gillespie, Renaissance Chambers, Matthew Davies, Wilson and Co. , Sally Thompson, Luqmani Thompson, Sophie Barrett Brown, Laura Devine Solicitors.
    Future meetings: tbc. Last meeting 1 October 2008
    Examples of current and recent projects: this sub-committee works to develop ILPA's training programme rather than holding meetings for groups of members.


    Working Groups

  • Draft (partial) Immigration and Citizenship Bill
    Coordinator: Steve Symonds, Legal Officer