Duncan Lewis Immigration Solicitor Vinita Templeton Wins case Preventing Fijan Veteran’s Immigration Detention and Removal
London, UK (PRWEB UK) 20 November 2013 -- The Queen on the application of Filimone Bulnatidrai Lacanivalu v SSHD, Case Ref:L039480001
Pte Filimone, a former soldier from Fiji has been granted residency in the UK following his widely publicised plight; which included a personal plea to the PM, exposure in several national newspapers, and a number of radio and television interviews with the Duncan Lewis immigration solicitor who for his permission to remain, Vinita Templeton.
Pte Filimone, who served with the army for nine years, faced deportation on Sunday 19th November after he failed to fill in the necessary reforms on his discharge from the service.*
He has now been granted permission to remain, after his case* was taken up by the press and
MP’s.
Pte Lacanivalu, who served with 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire regiment in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Northern Island, said he was now “a happy man” following the resolve of his case.
"I have been in the forces, I've put in effort, sacrificed my life for this country. I just think to stay here will be a benefit, there's more opportunities," he told BBC's Radio 4 Today Program (16/11/2013).
It is reported that Home secretary Theresa May and immigration minister Mark Harper personally reviewed his case before deciding that he could remain in the UK.**
Pte Lacanivalu, who spent five weeks detained in Harmondsworth immigration removal centre, waiting deportation to Fiji, told BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire on her radio program on the 15th November, that he felt he had been “let down and “betrayed” because of the treatment he was subjected to.
He said that it had never been explained to him that he would need to apply to remain in the UK when he left the army.*
"I was not aware of that because I did not receive any instructions from the army itself or the Ministry of Defence before I left the forces," he said.*
A Home Office spokesman said:**
"We recognise the immense sacrifice and contribution made by our Armed Forces and try to reflect this in the Immigration Rules. We adhere to the principle in the Armed Forces Covenant, and aim to ensure that service personnel suffer no disadvantage as a result of their service."**
"Foreign and Commonwealth military personnel who have served for more than four years can apply to settle here up to two years after leaving the military."**
"Although Mr Lacanivalu applied to stay outside of this time, the Home Secretary and Immigration Minister personally reviewed his case and, in light of his service in the British Army, have agreed he should be granted settlement in the UK.”**
Vinita Templeton, who is part of the Duncan Lewis solicitors immigration team represented Pte Lacanivalu’s case. She added on the case’s outcome;
"This is an excellent outcome for Filimone. However, we wish to highlight that there are many others in his situation. There are clear inconsistencies in the immigration rules and policies concerning foreign soldiers in the British army. The 28 day period is a disadvantage when compared even to the rights of a foreign migrant worker in the UK, and many dischargees have been prejudiced as a result. There is a real need for this rule to be reviewed to reflect the sacrifices and commitment that these soldiers have given to this country."
*The Queen on the application of Filimone Bulnatidrai Lacanivalu v SSHD, Case Ref:L039480001
**BBC News, Fijian soldier Filimone Lacanivalu allowed to stay in UK, 16/11/2013.
About Duncan Lewis
Duncan Lewis, established in 1998, is the largest civil legal aid practice in the UK and one of the country's fastest growing firms of solicitors, serving both corporate entities and private individuals from offices across London and throughout the UK. A recommended leading law firm by Law Society Lexcel, Legal 500; Duncan Lewis employs over 500 members of staff and was the first law firm to achieve the Investors in People Gold Quality Standard Mark in 2009. Representing over 25,000 clients per year, the company has an excellent reputation in the Administrative Court, High Court and Court of Appeal in the Immigration, Public law and Family/Child Care jurisdictions.
Established areas of law are: business immigration, child care, civil liberties, clinical negligence, community care, crime and fraud, dispute resolution, debt and insolvency, employment, family and divorce, housing, asylum and immigration, litigation, mental health, personal injury, prison law, professional negligence, public law and administrative law, regulatory matters and welfare benefits.
Jason Bruce, Duncan Lewis, http://www.duncanlewis.co.uk/, +44 20 7923 4020, [email protected]
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