Immigration Lawyers for
Human Trafficking & Modern-day Slavery
Our Immigration Solicitors are highly experienced in representing victims of human trafficking and modern slavery. Recognised as one of the most heinous crimes of the 21st century, modern slavery demands a compassionate and meticulous legal approach. Our dedicated team handles these cases with sensitivity and determination, striving to ensure that victims receive the justice and protection they deserve.
“Leonard solicitors are the best. I used their services for many years and they never let me down. Specifically, Lee Ann Harvey always has good news because she is professional and a perfectionist.”
Helping victims of Human Trafficking & Modern Slavery
It is often that perpetrators of these crimes commit trafficking, slavery, forced labour and servitude, through the exploitation of vulnerable people, mostly sexual or labour exploitation. Many victims of trafficking and slavery fear of or are unwilling to come forward as they believe they are at risk of not being believed and deported. Some of which, don’t even identify themselves as being victims of slavery. Additionally, most victims often face complex legal and personal challenges as they seek to escape exploitation and rebuild their lives.
It is our role to support victims of trafficking and slavery, where we aim to not only represent them as victims but also to achieve leave to remain status and potentially seek compensation for their suffering. If you suspect that someone is a victim of human trafficking and modern slavery, please get in touch with their details and make a referral to the Single Competent Authority. Our firm of immigration lawyers and other supporting legal professionals are on hand to legally protect them from further abuse, helping them begin to turn their lives around by securing safety, justice, and the stability they need to move forward.
Understanding the Mechanisms of Human Trafficking Referrals
As the UK is part of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings and the National Referral Mechanism, it is the duty of both national and local authorities to identify and refer potential victims of modern slavery to the Single Competent Authority. These first responders are often:
- The Home Office, including UK Border Force, Immigration Enforcement and UK Visas and Immigration
- Local authorities such as Local, Borough and County Councils
- Police forces and the National Crime Agency
- Trafficking Awareness Raising Alliance
- Migrant Help
- Other Non-profit Organisations
The Single Competent Authority is responsible for cases referred to them under the NRM, which exists with the Serious and Organised Crime Directorate under the Home Office. The SCA will make a reasonable grounds decision that establishes whether someone is a potential victim, which is made with 5 working days of the referral to the NRM. Also, the SCA will make a conclusive grounds decision on whether they are in fact a victim.
Comprehensive Legal Support to Victims of Human Trafficking
While the Single Competent Authority (SCA) builds a case to determine whether an individual qualifies as a victim of human trafficking, it is essential that they seek legal advice from experienced immigration lawyers. At our firm, we offer a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach, with our legal departments working collaboratively to provide tailored support to victims of trafficking and modern slavery.
The Criminal Defence Department can assist victims where they have been arrested by the police. Our criminal defence team can spot the signs of those who have been trafficked and are victims of slavery. From there we can ensure that their rights are protected in the police station and in courts.
Our Family Department can assist victims if the Local Authority are involved with any children of victims, where we can provide advice and take steps to safeguard victims and children of victims’ rights.
Our Civil Litigation Department can assist victims in obtaining compensation from the state for failure to protect victims of modern-day slavery.
Gaining Leave to Remain Status in the UK
Our Immigration Department can help victims in challenging public authority decisions through judicial review. These challenges include both negative and conclusive grounds decisions, non-referrals to the NRM and the detention of victims of trafficking. Our immigration team can also take care of cases where the SPA have concluded that a person is a victim of trafficking, yet has not granted them leave to remain. Although it is not an automatic outcome where positive grounds have been decided that they receive Leave to Remain status, our immigration lawyers can help individuals on obtaining asylum.
Legal aid may be available to those who are a victim of trafficking and slavery based on merit and means. More information on legal aid is available here.
