Start with the decision or current concern
Reasons, dates, personal circumstances and available
evidence help clarify what should be reviewed next.
Understanding the Matter
Begin with the personal circumstances,
decision and
available supporting evidence
Human rights, protection and appeal matters require a clear
understanding of what has happened, why the matter has arisen
and what evidence is currently available.
Start by identifying whether the matter concerns a proposed
application, an existing claim, a Home Office decision or a
possible challenge to a refusal. Record important dates and
retain complete copies of correspondence rather than relying
only on a summary of the decision.
Personal statements, immigration records, family or private
life information, medical material, country information and
other supporting documents may be relevant depending on the
individual circumstances and the issue being considered.
Keep the decision and evidence together
Correspondence, personal circumstances, dates and
supporting records should form one organised case file.
Identify the current matter
Clarify whether the issue concerns an application,
protection claim, refusal, review or appeal.
Record important dates
Note application, interview, decision, receipt and
any stated response or appeal dates.
Organise the evidence
Keep personal statements, immigration documents,
correspondence and supporting records together.
Check the complete decision letter promptly
A decision letter may explain whether an appeal,
administrative review or another step is available
and may include an important time limit. Keep the
complete letter and record when it was received.
Human Rights and Appeals Services
Explore the service connected to
your circumstances or immigration decision
Start by identifying whether the matter concerns a new
application, an exceptional request for permission or a
challenge to an immigration decision.
01
Protection and Personal Rights
Asylum & Human Rights Applications
For individuals whose safety, family life, private
life, health or other important personal circumstances
may be relevant to their UK immigration position.
Understand the matter and
organise the available evidence
The relevant information depends on the personal
circumstances, immigration history, type of application
and any Home Office or tribunal decision already received.
Key Matters to Review
Establish what has happened and what is at issue
Begin with a clear account of the current concern,
relevant immigration history, personal circumstances
and any decision or correspondence already received.
Nature of the current matter
Identify whether the concern involves an
application, existing claim, refusal or appeal.
Personal and family circumstances
Record relevant relationships, care needs,
private life and other personal factors.
Reasons given in the decision
Review the complete reasoning and any
specific evidence or issue identified.
Important dates and procedure
Note when documents were issued and received,
together with any stated next step.
Supporting Information
Evidence should connect clearly to the circumstances
Organise records by subject and date so that the
personal account, immigration history, decision
and supporting material can be reviewed together.
Decisions and correspondence
Complete decision letters, notices, interview
records and relevant correspondence.
Identity and immigration records
Available passports, identity documents and
records showing immigration history or status.
Personal account and chronology
A clear statement or timeline explaining relevant
events, experiences and current concerns.
Family and private-life records
Documents relevant to relationships, residence,
care responsibilities and established UK life.
Medical or professional material
Relevant medical information, assessments or
professional reports where available.
Country or background information
Relevant background material connected to the
claimed circumstances or identified concern.
Evidence requirements are case-specific
Not every category will apply. The relevant
material depends on the circumstances, issues
identified and stage of the matter.
Matter Preparation
A structured approach to
preparing the application or challenge
Bring the personal account, immigration history, decision,
important dates and supporting evidence into one clear and
organised case record.
01
Initial Review
Identify the current matter
Clarify whether the issue concerns a proposed application,
existing claim, refusal, review, appeal or another
procedural step.
02
Date Review
Record important dates and deadlines
Note when applications, interviews, decisions and
correspondence occurred, including any stated response
or appeal date.
03
Personal Account
Prepare the factual chronology
Organise the relevant events, experiences, relationships,
concerns and changes in circumstances in chronological
order.
04
Decision Analysis
Review the reasons and disputed issues
Compare the decision or identified concern with the
personal account, previous information and available
supporting records.
05
Evidence and Preparation
Organise the case file and next step
Arrange correspondence, statements, identity records and
supporting material by date and subject before preparing
the application or challenge.
Keep complete correspondence
Retain the entire decision or notice, including all
pages explaining reasons and next steps.
Use a clear chronology
Connect important events, applications, decisions
and supporting records using consistent dates.
Label supporting evidence
Arrange material by subject and date so each record
can be connected to the relevant issue.
Begin with the complete decision and a short chronology
Include the current immigration position, important
events, date the decision was received, any stated
deadline and the main evidence currently available.
Keep the complete decision letter and
record the date on which it was received.
Review every page, including the reasons
for the decision and any section explaining
available next steps.
The letter may explain whether an appeal,
administrative review or another procedure
is available. Any stated time limit should
be identified promptly.
No. A person can appeal to the immigration
tribunal only where there is a legal right
of appeal connected to the particular
decision.
The decision letter will usually state
whether an appeal is available or whether
the decision may instead be considered
through administrative review or another
procedure.
Relevant material may include identity and
immigration records, a personal chronology,
family or private-life evidence, medical
information, professional reports and
relevant background material.
The evidence should be connected clearly
to the circumstances being relied upon and
to any issues identified in a Home Office
or tribunal decision.
Discretionary Leave is a form of permission
considered in limited circumstances where
exceptional or compassionate factors may
justify a grant of leave.
It is not a general alternative to the
standard immigration routes. The individual
circumstances and available evidence must
be reviewed carefully.
New information may sometimes be relevant
after an asylum or human rights claim has
been refused. The correct procedure depends
on the existing decision, appeal history
and nature of the new material.
The evidence should be reviewed together
with the previous claim, decision reasons
and any earlier tribunal findings before
the next step is selected.
A chronology helps connect important
experiences, immigration applications,
interviews, decisions, relationships,
medical developments and other relevant
events.
Dates should be checked against passports,
correspondence, previous statements and
supporting records so that differences can
be identified before the matter is prepared.
The decision should be reviewed promptly.
Appeal, review or response procedures may
have time limits, and additional time may
be needed to obtain records or prepare
supporting evidence.
Keep the original correspondence, note
when it was received and avoid relying only
on a photograph or summary of part of the
decision.
Start Your Human Rights or Appeals Enquiry
Discuss your circumstances, decision and available evidence
Provide a brief summary of your current immigration
position, personal circumstances, any application or
decision involved, the date correspondence was received
and the immediate outcome you are seeking.
