Frequently Asked Questions
1. About the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal
- What does the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal do? Is it independent?
- Can the AIT offer me legal advice for dealing with my appeal?
- Can a lawyer act for me?
- Where can I get legal advice?
What does the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal do? Is it independent?
We are an independent appeal tribunal, part of the Tribunal Service, that hears and decides appeals against decisions made by the Home Office on asylum, immigration and nationality matters. Appeals are heard by one or more immigration judges who are sometimes accompanied by non legal members of the tribunal. Immigration judges and non legal members are appointed by the Lord Chancellor and form an independent judicial body.
Can the AIT offer me legal advice for dealing with my appeal?
No. We cannot advise you whether, or on what grounds, you should appeal. There are however organisations which can help you. The following organisations may help in finding a representative:
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner5th Floor
Counting House
53 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2QN
Telephone number 0845 000 0046
Website Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner 
85 Grays Inn Road
London
WC1X 8TX
Telephone number 0845 608 1122
Website Legal Service Commission
113 Chancery Lane
London
WC2A 1PL
Telephone number 0870 606 6575
Website Law Society of England & Wales
26 Drumsheugh Gardens
Edinburgh
EH3 7YR
Telephone number 0131 226 7411
Fax 0131 225 2934
Law Society House
98 Victoria Street
Belfast
BT1 3JZ
Telephone number 02890 231 614
Fax 02890 232 606
Can a lawyer act for me?
Yes. You can consult a lawyer or advice worker about making an appeal and ask them to represent you.
Where can I get legal advice?
Organisations such as the Legal Services Commission, the Law Society and the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner may all help you to find a suitable advisor. The contact details are:
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner5th Floor
Counting House
53 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2QN
Telephone number 0845 000 0046
Website Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner
85 Grays Inn Road
London
WC1X 8TX
Telephone number 0845 608 1122
Website Legal Service Commission
113 Chancery Lane
London
WC2A 1PL
Telephone number 0870 606 6575
Website Law Society of England & Wales
26 Drumsheugh Gardens
Edinburgh
EH3 7YR
Telephone number 0131 226 7411
Fax 0131 225 2934
Law Society House
98 Victoria Street
Belfast
BT1 3JZ
Telephone number 02890 231 614
Fax 02890 232 606
If you are in the UK you can also seek advice at your local Citizens Advice Bureaux. Their contact details will be easily available from a local telephone directory or from directory enquiries.
