- Government steps up action to support regulatory action and
prosecutions of unscrupulous lawyers
- New dedicated taskforce to help frontline staff identify
suspicious activity
- Those guilty of fraud could face life imprisonment
A government clampdown on crooked lawyers who coach illegal
migrants to lie will see a dedicated taskforce work with industry
bodies and law enforcement to build stronger evidence bases to
support prosecutions.
The vast majority of lawyers act with professionalism and
integrity but, as recent media reports have demonstrated, a small
minority have been helping illegal migrants stay in the UK by
encouraging them to make false claims.
The Professional Enablers Taskforce is bringing together
regulatory bodies, law enforcement teams and other government
departments to increase enforcement action against lawyers who
help migrants exploit the immigration system.
The Taskforce has been up and carrying out preliminary work over
the past few months, working with partners to tackle immigration
abuse in the legal sector by improving how intelligence and
information is shared by regulators. Today marks its official
launch.
Law enforcement are also working to bring fresh prosecutions
against corrupt immigration lawyers who could face up to life in
prison for assisting illegal migrants to remain in the country by
deception.
Today the Home Secretary is chairing a roundtable meeting with
the Lord Chancellor, Solicitors Regulation Authority and the
Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner to reiterate the
government’s drive to bring prosecutions against crooked
immigration lawyers.
The Taskforce has also developed a new training package for
frontline staff who work in the immigration system to help them
identify and report suspect activity so they can support law
enforcement to prosecute crooked immigration lawyers.
Working with industry bodies, the Taskforce will disrupt the
business models of firms that are enabling abuse of the
immigration system. Their work is aimed at supporting enforcement
action against corrupt lawyers by building stronger evidence and
improving intelligence sharing, which is then passed on to
industry bodies to investigate and bring to law enforcement for
prosecution if necessary.
Referrals to law enforcement have also been made where criminal
activity is suspected. For example, the Taskforce has uncovered a
case in which an immigration firm is linked to one of the most
wanted human traffickers, which has now been referred to the
police.
Last week, the Solicitors Regulation Authority – a legal industry
watchdog – suspended three legal firms who were caught offering
to submit fake asylum claims for migrants.
Home Secretary said:
“Crooked immigration lawyers must be rooted out and brought to
justice. While the majority of lawyers act with integrity –
we know that some are lying to help illegal migrants game the
system. It is not right or fair on those who play by the rules.
“The British people want us to put an end to illegal migration –
I am determined to crack down on these immoral lawyers and Stop
the Boats.”
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice KC said:
“The accuracy and honesty of legal advice underpins the integrity
of our world-leading legal system, so those who undermine it by
encouraging deception must be held to account.
“This government is committed to stopping the boats – that means
breaking the business model of criminal gangs and holding to
account unscrupulous lawyers who aid and abet them by abusing the
legal system.”
Lawyers found to be coaching migrants on how to remain in the
country by fraudulent means could be prosecuted under the
Immigration Act 1971, Section 25, for “Assisting unlawful
immigration to the UK” and face a sentence of up to life
imprisonment.
Tackling the minority of lawyers who exploit the immigration
system is a focus across government. Last week, the independent
Legal Services Board announced it was consulting on increasing
the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s fining powers and exploring
other ways to enhance regulators’ powers to ensure rogue legal
professionals are punished.
The Professional Enablers Taskforce is currently focusing on
abuse in the legal sector, however there are plans to expand to
other ‘professional enablers’ – such as doctors, accountants and
employers – who use their expertise to facilitate illegal
migration.
