IMMIGRATION APPELLATE AUTHORITY TO OPEN 5 NEW HEARING CENTRES

21 Oct 2002 04:45 PM

Plans to open five new immigration and asylum appeal hearing centres were confirmed today by Baroness Scotland, Minister at the Lord Chancellor's Department.

This is part of an expansion programme to enable the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA) to increase the number of asylum appeals it deals with from the current 4,500 appeals per month to 6,000 cases per month from November. This increase in capacity of the adjudication system was announced by the Government in October last year as part of wider reforms to the asylum and immigration system.

New centres are planned for:
- Newport
- Stoke on Trent
- North Shields
- Bradford
- Manchester

Baroness Scotland said:
"Record numbers of appeals are now being dealt with by the Immigration Appellate Authority. Adjudicators dealt with 75% more appeals in 2001/2 than they did in the previous financial year. This increase in determinations reflects the IAA's ability to handle increasing numbers of appeals.

"However, further expansion is necessary to enable the Authority both to increase the number of asylum appeals it deals with from the current 4,500 appeals per month to 6,000 cases per month from November and deal with these appeals in a timely manner. These additional new hearing centres will play an important role in achieving this goal."

In addition to new hearing centres, there are also plans to expand existing centres in Birmingham and Hatton Cross and open a second administrative office in Leicester to support the existing office in Loughborough.

The precise timescales for the expansion programme remain subject to planning and lease considerations.

Notes for editors:
1. The locations for the new hearing centres was announced today by Baroness Scotland of Asthal in a written answer to a Parliamentary Question.

2. The IAA is the independent tribunal organisation, administered by the Court Service, that deals with appeals against decisions by the Home Office in respect of asylum and immigration (entry to or leave to remain in the UK). The IAA also handles bail applications for applicants and appellants that are detained by the Home Office. In addition the IAA handles appeals against family visitor visa decisions made by Entry Clearance Officers.

3. The Immigration Appellate Authority currently has 6 main hearing centres. These are: Taylor House, London; York House, Hatton Cross; Sheldon Court, Birmingham; Eagle Building, Glasgow; Coronet House, Leeds; Aldine House, Manchester.

4. At a hearing centre, adjudicators consider the case put before them by the legal representatives for the asylum seeker (the appellant) and the Home Office presenting officer and then make a determination either to uphold or dismiss the appeal. The IAA provides an interpreter where hearings require one. Hearings are open to the press and public to attend unless an adjudicator rules otherwise. An IAA courtroom is able to hear a maximum of four cases a day.

5. For further information about the Government announcement on 29 October 2001 see Home Office press release 266/2001 available on their website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk

New centres:

Newport
Newport was chosen because of existing hearing business in South Wales and the surrounding area. Currently appellants have their hearings in temporary County and Magistrate court capacity in Cardiff.

Columbus House in Chepstow Road, Langstone Business Park has been leased by the Court Service. It is being converted into a hearing centre and planning procedures are being followed for the change of use. It will have eight IAA courtrooms and a Pensions Appeal Tribunal courtroom and is expected to be ready for use early in December. The hearing centre will employ 19 staff, supporting adjudicators and the hearing process.

Stoke on Trent
Stoke was chosen for its central location, good communications and proximity to Home Office cluster areas in the Midlands and North West.

Communications Point, Town Road, Hanley has been leased by the Court Service. Its fit-out as a hearing centre is nearly complete and planning procedures are being followed for the change of use. It will have 10 IAA courtrooms and is expected to commence hearing operation early in December. The hearing centre will employ 24 staff, supporting adjudicators and the hearing process. A Home Office Presenting Officer Unit is expected to occupy self-contained space in the same building.

North Shields
North Shields was chosen for its good communications and proximity to Home Office cluster areas in the North East.

Kings Court, Royal Quays, North Shields has been leased by the Court Service and its fit-out as a hearing centre is ongoing. It will have 10 IAA courtrooms and is expected to commence hearing operation early in March 2003. The hearing centre will employ 24 staff, supporting adjudicators and the hearing process.

Bradford
Bradford was chosen for its good local services and communication links, as well as proximity to Home Office cluster areas in South and West Yorkshire.

Phoenix House, Thornbury, Bradford has been leased by the Court Service and its fit-out as a hearing centre is ongoing. It will have 12 IAA courtrooms and is expected to commence hearing operation early in March 2003. The hearing centre will employ 28 staff, supporting adjudicators and the hearing process.

Manchester
Manchester was chosen for its excellent central location, communication links and proximity to Home Office cluster areas in the North West.

Piccadilly Exchange, Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester has been leased by the Court Service and its fit- out as a hearing centre has recently commenced. It will have 12 IAA courtrooms and is expected to commence hearing operation in May 2003. The hearing centre will employ 28 staff, supporting adjudicators and the hearing process.

Lord Chancellor's Department
Selborne House, 54 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QW
www.lcd.gov.uk