KBP Law LLP

Asylum claims and a limited set of immigration matters where legal aid remains available.

Immigration and asylum legal aid is largely restricted to asylum claims, immigration detention bail applications, trafficking and modern slavery cases, and a narrow set of family reunion matters. Most other immigration work (visa applications, settlement, partner and family routes) is not covered by legal aid since the 2013 reforms. Asylum work remains a substantial area of legal aid; immigration detention work is non-means-tested.

Judicial review challenges against decisions made by public bodies.

Public Law legal aid covers judicial review, where someone seeks to overturn a decision by a public body (central or local government, the NHS, regulators) on the grounds that it was unlawful, irrational, or made through an unfair process. Cases often involve immigration, social care, housing allocation, and human rights matters. Funding is means and merits tested; the merits test is strict given the specialist and often expensive nature of the work.

Civil claims against councils, the NHS, the police, or other public bodies for wrongful acts.

Claims Against Public Authorities covers civil compensation claims where a public body, such as a local council, the NHS, the police, or central government, has caused harm through misconduct, negligence, or breach of a duty. Examples include unlawful detention, social services failings, school exclusion errors, and serious data breaches by public bodies. Legal aid for these claims is means and merits tested.