Asylum Application Solicitors London
If you need expert legal advice on claiming asylum in the UK, our Solicitors, who have over 25 years of experience in asylum and protection law, can help.
Asylum is the protection given by a country to someone who has left their home country as a refugee. To qualify, you must be outside your own country and unable to return because you face a well-founded fear of persecution based on your race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group.
The asylum process in the UK is governed principally by the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, and the UK’s obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention. If you or a family member needs to claim asylum, take legal advice as early as possible. The decisions made at the start of the process have long-term consequences.
At Law Lane Solicitors, we advise asylum seekers and their families from our offices in Stratford E15, Holborn WC1V, and Croydon CR0. We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Our team includes solicitors experienced in asylum claims from countries across Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia.
Our Asylum Application Services
We advise on the full range of asylum and protection matters, including:
- Advising on whether you meet the legal definition of a refugee and are likely to qualify for asylum
- Advice on humanitarian protection, which may be available where the refugee definition is not met but serious harm on return would result
- Attendance at the Home Office asylum screening interview and substantive asylum interview
- Preparing a detailed witness statement setting out the full account of events giving rise to the claim
- Gathering and presenting supporting evidence, including country evidence from recognised sources
- Advice on asylum support under Section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, including accommodation and financial support
- Asylum appeals to the First-tier Tribunal where the Home Office has refused the claim
- Further submissions based on new evidence after a refusal, where the claim can be reconsidered
- Advice on unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and the particular procedural protections that apply
- Advice on victims of trafficking who have asylum-related protection needs
- Advice on stateless persons and the protection available under the 1954 Stateless Persons Convention
Why Choose Law Lane Solicitors for Asylum Claims?
An asylum claim is not just a legal process. For many of our clients it is the most important thing they will ever have to do. The account of past events and the evidence supporting it must be presented clearly, accurately, and in a way that the Home Office can evaluate properly. We take time at the start of every case to understand the full picture.
Country conditions change. We use up-to-date evidence from recognised sources, including the Home Office’s own Country Policy and Information Notes and independent organisations working in the relevant country. We challenge outdated assessments and know how to present claims that fall outside the most commonly recognised categories.
Where legal aid is available, we take it. Many asylum seekers qualify financially, and we will confirm whether you are eligible at the outset so that cost does not stand in the way of proper advice.
Get in Touch
If you or a family member needs advice on claiming asylum in the UK, call or email us today. Early advice protects your position throughout the process.
Phone: 020 7870 4870
Email: info@lawlanesolicitors.co.uk
Book a consultation with our asylum team and make sure your claim is in the strongest possible position from the start.

Law Lane Solicitors is proud to be accredited under The Law Society’s Immigration and Asylum Accreditation.
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“I am delighted to share my highly positive experience with Salman Shah and Ahmed Syed at Law Lane Solicitors regarding our successful Family and Private Life application under UK immigration rules. From the initial consultation through to the final approval, Salman and Ahmed demonstrated exceptional professionalism, expertise, and dedication. I wholeheartedly recommend Salman Shah and Ahmed Syed at Law Lane Solicitors to anyone seeking reliable, results-driven assistance with UK immigration applications. Thank you both—your hard work and expertise are greatly appreciated!“ – B on Trustpilot (March ’26)
Frequently Asked Questions – Asylum Applications
Who qualifies as a refugee?
A refugee is a person who has a well-founded fear of persecution in their home country for one of five reasons: their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group. The fear must be well-founded, meaning there is a real risk it will materialise, and the individual must be unable or unwilling to obtain protection in their home country. Where the home country is willing and able to protect the individual, a claim will not succeed.
What is the difference between asylum and humanitarian protection?
Asylum is granted to those who meet the refugee definition under the 1951 Refugee Convention. Humanitarian protection is available where a person does not meet the refugee definition but would face a real risk of serious harm on return, such as indiscriminate violence in a conflict zone. From 2 March 2026, both statuses are granted for an initial period of 30 months before a review.
When should I claim asylum?
You should claim asylum as soon as possible after arriving in the UK if you intend to make a claim. Claiming at the port of entry, when you first arrive, is the process the Home Office expects. Delays in claiming can be used by the Home Office to question the credibility of the account. If you are already in the UK and have not yet claimed, take advice without further delay.
What happens at the asylum interview?
The substantive asylum interview is a detailed face-to-face interview with a Home Office caseworker. It covers the full account of events giving rise to the claim, the reason why the claimant fears return, and why protection cannot be obtained in the home country. It can last several hours. Preparation is essential. We attend all substantive interviews with our clients and help them prepare a thorough personal statement in advance.
What support is available while my asylum claim is pending?
Asylum seekers who are destitute can apply for support under Section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. This provides accommodation and a small weekly cash allowance. Support is not available to those who have accommodation and financial means. We advise on how to apply and what is available based on your circumstances.
Can I work while waiting for a decision?
Asylum seekers cannot ordinarily work in the UK while their claim is pending. If a decision has not been received within twelve months of the claim being made, and the delay is not the claimant’s fault, you can apply to work, but only in roles on the Shortage Occupation List. We advise on whether and when a permission to work application is available.
What happens if my asylum claim is refused?
A refused asylum claim carries a right of appeal to the First-tier Tribunal in most cases. The appeal is a full hearing at which the tribunal examines the claim afresh. Where the First-tier Tribunal dismisses the appeal, it may be possible to seek permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal on a point of law. Where all appeal rights are exhausted, further submissions based on new evidence may allow the case to be reconsidered.
What protection is available for asylum-seeking children?
Unaccompanied children who claim asylum are entitled to additional procedural protections. They must not be detained, they are entitled to a social worker, and the Home Office is required to take a more flexible approach to evidence and credibility assessments for children. We advise on the rights of unaccompanied children and work with the relevant agencies to ensure those rights are properly applied.
How long does the asylum process take?
Processing times vary considerably and have been subject to significant delays in recent years. The Home Office has been working to reduce the backlog of outstanding cases. Some straightforward claims are decided within months, while complex cases can take considerably longer. We will advise on what to expect based on the specific circumstances of your claim.
How much does an initial consultation cost?
Legal aid is available for asylum cases for clients who qualify on financial grounds. For those who do not qualify, we offer a fixed-fee initial consultation. Please call us to discuss the funding position, as cost should not prevent anyone from getting proper advice on an asylum claim.
Get in Touch
Whether you are applying for the first time, extending your leave, or dealing with a problem mid-course, our immigration team is ready to help.
Phone: 020 7870 4870
Email: info@lawlanesolicitors.co.uk
Book a consultation with our immigration team and start your studies in the UK with your immigration status in order.
Immigration Team
Tahir Shahab Khan
Supervising Director, Solicitor AdvocateView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Salman Shah
Director, SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Sikandar Ali Jatoi
Director, Solicitor AdvocateView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Ghulam Mustafa
BarristerView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Ahmed Syed
Registered Foreign LawyerView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Muhammad Azeem
Registered Foreign LawyerView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Nuresa Begum
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Oraz Shiriyev
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Sarah Akram
Supervising SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Kashif Haroon
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Khadija Faisal
Legal AssistantView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Suzana Husain
Trainee SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Christian O. Nwaorah
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Oriola Uka
Registered Foreign LawyerView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Sandesh Kumar
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Michele Montjen
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Manpreet Kaur
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Mai Oanh Hoang
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Mariya Hussain
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Vishva Shanmugam
Costs DraftsmanView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Hoor Aleen Badarneh
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Robert Thomson
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Kunal
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Artemisa Shquti
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Mathelide Othilie Christiansen
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Rugena Begum
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Shehryar Ahmed
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Benedicte Mabika
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Osama Syam
ParalegalView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Akbar Mohammed Mir
SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
Noemaan Fahim
Immigration SolicitorView Profile | ContactBook Appointment
