The government contract for immigration legal aid services held by Middlesex Law Chambers has been terminated following concerns regarding the firm’s performance, information obtained by The Guardian indicates. The firm, which reportedly generated £1.7 million in legal aid income for immigration work in the last year despite employing five solicitors for such cases, now faces scrutiny over its operational capacity.
The termination necessitates that affected asylum seekers locate new legal representation. This development occurs at a time when the government has been increasing the number of asylum cases it refuses, potentially complicating access to legal support for vulnerable individuals.
Records show a substantial increase in Middlesex Law Chambers’ legal aid income for immigration work, rising from £43,000 in 2021 to £1.7 million, with the latter figure reported for 2025. The Solicitors Regulation Authority lists the firm as operating 15 offices across the country. Several of these locations are situated in areas often referred to as “legal aid deserts,” regions with limited availability of publicly funded legal services, including Peterborough, Plymouth, and Crawley.
The firm’s current staffing for other legal areas includes one solicitor at its Southall office handling private immigration matters, one solicitor at an office in Canary Wharf, East London, focusing on family law, and a small team at its Uxbridge office dedicated to criminal defence work. Legal aid contracts for these specific areas of practice remain active.
Rami, identified as a former client of Middlesex Law Chambers, highlighted the difficulties in securing legal aid lawyers and the challenges faced by individuals who do not speak English in distinguishing between legal firms.
A spokesperson for the Legal Aid Agency confirmed the contract termination, stating: “Middlesex Law Chambers’ immigration legal aid contract has been terminated.” The spokesperson added that “Firms that hold legal aid contracts are subject to annual reviews.”
Source: www.theguardian.com