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<p>Those being deported will have been provided with the opportunity to raise claims,
prior to their deportation. The UK only ever returns those who the Home Office and,
where applicable, the courts are satisfied do not need our protection and have no
legal basis to remain in the UK. Any new legal representations made whilst an individual
is detained are considered carefully and in accordance with the law.</p><p>Detained
individuals are advised of their right to legal representation, and how they can obtain
such representation, within 24 hours of their arrival at an Immigration Removal Centre
(IRC).</p><p>The Legal Aid Agency (LAA) operates free legal advice surgeries in IRCs
in England. Individuals who are detained are entitled to receive up to 30 minutes
of advice regardless of financial eligibility or the merits of their case. There is
no restriction on the number of surgeries an individual may attend. If an individual
who is detained requires substantive advice on a matter which is in scope of legal
aid, full legal advice can be provided if the statutory legal aid means and merits
criteria are met. Following a change of operations in line with Government advice
on social distancing, the LAA Detained Duty Advice scheme is currently operating by
phone. Detained individuals who wish to access this service are asked to advise centre
staff, who will notify the duty solicitor under the scheme. The duty solicitor will
contact the individual directly.</p><p>All individuals in immigration removal centres
are provided with a mobile phone and have access to landline telephones, fax machines,
email and video calling facilities which can be used to contact legal advisers. Social
visits to IRCs and Short-Term Holding Facilities have been paused in light with the
latest Government restrictions. Detained individuals are being encouraged to utilise
virtual means of social contact including video calling, email and mobile telephone;
additional weekly mobile phone credit is being provided to support continued social
contact in these unprecedented times.</p><p>In exceptional circumstances, and for
individuals facing imminent removal from the UK face to face legal and social visits
can occur where other means of contact (video calling, telephone, email) are not feasible.</p>
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