Asylum Claim Appeal from Ethiopia
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Background
IAS were approached by a client from Ethiopia to help overturn an unsuccessful asylum claim.
The client sought asylum in the UK after being persecuted and tortured in Ethiopia on grounds of his ethnicity and sexuality. He was noted as still being at risk after being informed by a family member that his father had been killed for helping him to escape Ethiopia and that the military were still searching for his whereabouts.
What Were the Challenges with the Case?
The client was refused an asylum claim on grounds of credibility stemming from translation and documentary issues. Additionally, his sexuality was not disclosed in his initial asylum claim as he had not been informed by his previous representative that this could be part of his claim.
The client’s previous solicitors issued a CW4 to him which meant that CLR merits were assessed as below the threshold and they were unable to represent him in his appeal.
The client submitted his own appeal against this decision to the Legal Aid Authority. Although the appeal was successful, the former solicitor was not able to take on his case due to capacity. This led to the client being referred to IAS for assistance.
How Did Our Lawyers Help?
IAS took a detailed statement from the client, including his responses to the Secretary of State’s refusal decision. We also requested medical records for further information and referred him to Freedom from Torture for an MLR report, which would be instrumental in supporting his appeal case.
We also requested an adjournment of the hearing date to allow us further time to submit all necessary evidence.
An Appeal Skeleton Argument was prepared and a bundle of evidence collated to support the appeal.
What Was the Outcome?
On 21st July 2025 the appeal was allowed by the First Tier Tribunal Immigration Judge. It was accepted that the client was a credible witness, and that he would be at risk on return to Ethiopia.
On 1st August 2025 the client was issued with his grant of refugee status in the United Kingdom.
