A free lawyer

A free asylum lawyer: where to look and what to say

If you're entitled to legal aid, a lawyer for your asylum case is free. That's the law, not a favour. Start looking now — not when a letter with a deadline arrives.

£0is what a legal aid lawyer costs if you're on asylum support or have no income

10–15firms to write down and call one after another — there are few lawyers, being turned down is normal

0808 196 7272Refugee Council: they'll help you find one, languages available

14 daysto appeal after a refusal — the clock runs whether you have a lawyer or not

Don't want to search yourself? Fill in a request (free) — within 24 hours we'll email you a personal plan: verified legal aid firms for your postcode and a ready-made script for the call. Send a request →

We don't give immigration advice. This page is about how to find someone who is allowed to give it. Only a specialist registered with the IAA or a solicitor regulated by the SRA or BSB can advise on your case.

Step 1. Check whether you're entitled to legal aid

What it covers

Asylum and protection; immigration bail and detention; applications by victims of domestic abuse and trafficking; asylum support; children without parents. Doesn't cover family and private life applications (Article 8), citizenship, EUSS — only through Exceptional Case Funding.

Check on GOV.UK

Open gov.uk/check-legal-aid, choose 'Immigration or asylum' and answer the questions about your income. If you receive asylum support (section 95 / section 4) or have no income, the check is a formality. Don't call Civil Legal Advice about asylum: their line doesn't handle asylum.

Step 2. Find a firm by your postcode

Open the search

find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk — the official Ministry of Justice search. Enter your postcode and tick the category “Immigration or asylum”. It only shows those who work under legal aid.

Write down 10–15

Name, phone number, address. Not three — ten: there are few legal aid lawyers, and half will say 'we're not taking anyone'. That's not about you, it's about overload.

Check the registration

Before the first meeting: gov.uk/find-an-immigration-adviser (the IAA register) or the SRA register 'Find a solicitor'. Not on the register — not a lawyer, even if they're from back home.

Step 3. Call them one after another — a ready-made script

By phone

“Hello. I’m an asylum seeker looking for a legal aid solicitor for my asylum case. Are you taking new legal aid clients? If not — could you put me on a waiting list?” They'll ask: your name, case number (Home Office reference), what stage your case is at, whether you have any dates. Keep your Home Office letter in front of you.

By email

Subject: Legal aid — asylum case Dear Sir/Madam, I am an asylum seeker (Home Office ref. [number]). My claim was submitted on [date]; the current stage is [screening done / awaiting substantive interview / refused on … / appeal lodged on …]. I receive asylum support and have no income, so I believe I qualify for legal aid. Are you able to take my case? If not, could you add me to your waiting list or suggest another legal aid provider? Kind regards, [name], [phone]

At the same time call the Refugee Council on 0808 196 7272 — they help find a lawyer and have interpreters. LGBTQ+ asylum seekers — Rainbow Migration 020 3752 5801 (18+, you must be in the UK; they don't replace a lawyer, but they help you find one and prepare you for your case).

Step 4. Ask five questions at the first meeting

1. Registration number?

IAA or SRA. A good specialist gives it straight away.

2. Does legal aid cover my case?

And what exactly: interview preparation, representation, appeal.

3. What happens before the interview?

Meetings, witness statement, practising the questions.

4. What country evidence will you include?

There are almost no CPINs for our countries — the representative brings the material. Ask whether they know that.

5. How do I contact you?

Email, phone, response times. Irritation at these questions is an answer in itself.

Red flags — walk away

Promises a result or 'guarantees status' · asks for money to 'speed things up' · won't give a registration number · takes cash without a contract or receipt · advises you to hide something or say something untrue · rushes you to sign without letting you read · 'case preparation' for thousands of pounds via social media. If you're entitled to legal aid, you should be charged nothing for an asylum case. Giving advice without registration is a crime (up to 2 years), and you won't get the money back.

If you have no lawyer and the deadline is close

Received a refusal

14 days to appeal from the date of the decision — lodge it yourself and keep looking for a lawyer. Form and procedure: gov.uk/asylum-appeal. A missed deadline is worse than a badly written appeal. In detail — 'Refusal or detention'.

You've been detained

In every centre you get 30 minutes with a legal aid lawyer for free, with no means test. Tell the welfare team: “I’d like to book the free legal advice appointment, please.” Plus BID 020 7456 9750 (Mon–Thu 10:00–12:00) and Detention Action 0800 587 2096.

Do this in advance. Write down on paper: your case number, your lawyer's phone number, BID, Detention Action, Refugee Council. If you're detained your phone may be taken away, and nobody remembers numbers by heart.

Sources

GOV.UK: Legal aid, Check if you can get legal aid, Civil Legal Advice, Find an immigration adviser
find-legal-advice.justice.gov.uk — the official Legal Aid Agency search
NRPF Network, Legal aid: immigration and asylum cases — 29.06.2026; Right to Remain, Immigration Detention — 16.02.2026
Qadam London step-by-step adaptation plan, sections 'A lawyer — free by law' and 'If you've been detained'

Personal plan · free · 24 hours

Don't want to search yourself? We'll send you a list

Legal aid firms for your postcode, checked against the register, a ready-made script for the call and the email, and what to do if they all say no.

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