High Court declares trafficking policy unlawful for preventing effective access to victims to be correctly identified in breach of UK’s trafficking obligations – Garden Court Chambers
‘The Claimant, DS, is a victim of sexual exploitation and human trafficking. In 2018 the Home Office rejected her claim to have been trafficked. Her lawyers obtained new significant expert evidence in support of her claim and asked the Home Office to reconsider the negative decision. The Home Office refused to consider this request, relying on a policy, which stated that only a First Responder or NRM support provider can make a reconsideration request on behalf of the victim. The Home Office refused to even look at the evidence on this basis. It was only after a court challenge was launched and the Court granted DS permission to proceed with her case to trial that the Home Office agreed to look at her individual decision again, and finally accept that she is a victim of trafficking.’
Garden Court Chambers, 15th November 2019
Source: www.gardencourtchambers.co.uk
