If you’ve been unlawfully detained and your human rights have been breached in an immigration removal or detention centre or a prison, we could help you claim compensation. If your loved one has died in an immigration removal or detention centre or prison, we can also help you get answers.
In the UK, detention centres can hold you in prison-like conditions for many reasons, with no time limit on how long you might be there. We know this is a very stressful experience to go through, especially when you believe you’re being held unlawfully.
Have You Been Unlawfully Detained?
There are strict laws about who the Home Office can detain and why. Despite this, the Home Office sometimes makes mistakes and acts unlawfully. These are some of the ways your detention may have been unlawful:
- The Home Office made a mistake in your immigration case, and that mistake can be linked to the reasons why you were detained
- Your detention wasn’t properly reviewed
- You had a medical problem or disability which was made worse by detention
- You were separated from your child
- You were assessed as being an adult when you were a child
- You were physically or mentally unfit to be detained
- Your detainment caused you to develop a medical condition
- Your removal from the UK wasn’t possible within a reasonable period.
There are many other examples of cases where your detention could be unlawful, or there has been a breach of your human rights and we can advise you on these.
Our expert lawyers can get you the justice you deserve by holding the Home Office to account for its mistake. We’ll also help you claim compensation for what you’ve been through and the impact on your life.
We can help you make a claim even if only part of your detention was unlawful. Our solicitors can also help you make a claim on behalf of a loved one who sadly passed away while detained in a removal centre or prison.
How Do You Make A Compensation Claim?
The first thing to do is get in touch with our specialist solicitors so we can tell you whether you can make a compensation claim. It’s best to start a claim within one year of the beginning of your detention, as there are strict time limits. However, even if you or a loved one has been in detention for over a year, it’s still worth contacting us to see if you have a claim.
If you do have a claim, we’ll prepare a letter to the Home Office or security company, to try and get a compensation settlement without going to court. If the Home Office or security company won’t settle out of court, then we’ll fight your case in court to get you the compensation you deserve.
The claim process usually takes between six and 18 months, but this may be longer for more complex cases.
We offer legal aid funding if you’re financially eligible, and No Win No Fee agreements depending on the circumstances of your claim.
Why Choose Irwin Mitchell?
Our lawyers are passionate about achieving justice and we work with every client with sensitivity and respect. We always take the time to listen to you and your story, so that we can best tailor our advice to you.
We’re known for putting our clients at the heart of everything we do. We’ll make sure you understand the process and what to expect at each stage, and will keep you updated throughout.
No matter what language you speak, we can find you the right interpreter or lawyer who speaks your language. We also have a lot of experience working with clients with disabilities and we have extra measures in place to help you.
Our firm is featured in the Legal 500 legal directory for handling “a range of human rights matters with an emphasis on claims against the police, prison law, and immigration mandates.” Because we’re experts on how the system works, we know how to get you the best outcome possible for your case.
We have offices up and down the UK. Wherever your immigration detention centre is, we’re on hand to help.
Contact Us
Call us on 0800 028 1943 to talk with our lawyers and find out if you could claim compensation for your unlawful detention or breach of your human rights.
Experience with a wide variety of professional bodies
Skilled negotiators and mediators
Proven track record at judicial review
Offices around the country
Call one of our team free on
0370 1500 100
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