Age Assessment for Asylum Seekers
Our lawyers specialise in age assessment challenges. We have significant experience in overturning negative age assessment decisions and issuing judicial reviews against local authorities. Read on to find out more about our experience and the leading cases we have been involved in.
Call 020 7485 8811 today.
“Edward is rightly regarded as one of the leading solicitors in the field of age dispute challenges and brings real creativity to his cases.”
“The team is particularly well regarded for its expertise in accommodation rights and asylum support.”
Why are there disputes over age?
The age assessment of unaccompanied children seeking asylum is a challenging process.
Many countries from which refugees and asylum seekers flee from do not have a robust administration system, particularly when it comes to registering births or issuing passports. Therefore, many individuals who enter the UK arrive without conclusive proof that they are a child.
Why does age assessment matter?
Children are entitled to various services from local councils, including education and accommodation. Age also has implications on whether the applicant is eligible for financial support and protections against deportation.
In immigration cases, whenever the age of the applicant is in doubt, the Home Office can order an age assessment, which operates under ‘benefit of the doubt’ guidance. This means that unless the applicant’s appearance very strongly suggests that they are significantly over the age of 18, they should be treated as a child until a more complete assessment is carried out.
Specialist Age Assessment Lawyers
Osbornes Law are instructed to help clients establish their age during the age assessment process and to help challenge assessments which conclude that an individual should be treated as an adult.
Our expert age assessment lawyers have significant experience in challenging negative age assessments, including issuing judicial review proceedings against local authorities.
They have a deep bench of talent across a wide range of public law areas and have a great strike rate in achieving successful outcomes for their clients.
Osbornes' public law team is the full package, led from the front by Will Ford.
Their communication with both clients and professionals is consistently clear, responsive, and reliable.
They take the time to ensure young people feel heard, informed, and supported throughout what are often highly stressful and traumatic situations.
One of the key strengths of Osbornes Law is their ability to combine excellent legal expertise with a genuinely compassionate and client-centered approach.
The individuals we have worked with at Osbornes Law stand out for their professionalism, responsiveness, and genuine commitment to supporting vulnerable young people.
Edward Taylor acts for a range of charities, with a specialism in ones that focus on children’s rights.
Ford is a stand-out practitioner who frequently undertakes judicial reviews challenging local authorities.
Led by William Ford, Osbornes' practice primarily represents marginalised individuals in a range of matters, including housing, asylum support, and community care.
Osbornes' social housing team is the full package, led from the front by Will Ford.
Stars include Will Ford, particularly great for creative public law challenges, pushing forward the law.
As well as providing top-level legal services, Osbornes were also concerned with ensuring costs were managed appropriately.
The level of professionalism is outstanding, and you feel confident having Osbornes on your side with a unique blend of skills and client care.
Osbornes provides a dedicated team of highly skilled individuals that are client-focused every step of the way.
An absolutely top team - highly recommended and for good reason.
Leaders in their field. Osbornes provides star quality representation for exceptionally good value
It regularly assists migrants and other vulnerable clients. It is also equipped to provide advice on welfare benefits.
The team is also experienced in homelessness and community care issues, as well as public law and judicial review claims.
Osbornes Law represents tenants in the full variety of housing law matters, including issues of possession, eviction, disrepair and anti-social behaviour.
A strong team with real knowledge of the practice area.
Osbornes has dedicated expertise in social welfare matters.
The team is particularly well regarded for its expertise in accommodation rights and asylum support.
Osbornes Law has a well-regarded practice which sees the firm act in judicial review challenges against local and central government bodies.
They identify and address gaps in information and find creative solutions to resolve complex cases.
The solicitors at Osbornes Law are proactive, knowledgeable, friendly and very reliable.
Osbornes Law's public law team are so impressive and really knowledgeable.
They are extremely proactive, act sensitively and work effectively.
We know we are able to put our trust in their expert team achieving the best possible outcome in difficult matters.
Osbornes Law team are brilliant. They are very responsive especially in urgent challenges.
The firm frequently acts in housing-related challenges, including those involving social care, children’s rights, and NHS charging decisions.
The firm is experienced in holding both local and central government bodies to account.
Osbornes is recognised for its strong public law practice, with particular expertise in judicial review.
Their work is always of the highest standard with an unwavering focus on supporting vulnerable clients through litigation.
Osbornes is just a phenomenal team. They have a real reputation for excellence, strategic approaches, and obtaining positive outcomes for clients.
The team has a thorough knowledge of the subject and makes sure they respond to all the clients' needs and wishes.
I have truly enjoyed working with Osbornes and have always received top-quality service.
Osbornes have a strong team with some truly excellent individuals.
Edward Taylor is an outstanding public law solicitor. He has particular skills in working with vulnerable clients and in complex and fast-moving cases.
They are tenacious, approachable, and extremely effective in representing the interests of their clients including in highly complex cases.
Osbornes Law are a truly excellent team. They cover a range of immigration, housing, and social care matters with a core commitment to representing vulnerable clients.
Alex McMahon is a recommended lawyer, who also specialises in complex age dispute cases
Described as an outstanding public law solicitor, Edward Taylor has experience acting for asylum-seeking minors in judicial reviews challenging age assessments
Osbornes has a particular strength in handling social housing challenges with a focus on homelessness and assisting children with disabilities.
William Ford has a forensic knowledge of housing law and is extremely intelligent, very thorough, and excellent with clients
Excellent communication at all stages of a claim and an emphasis on the needs of the client.
A thoroughly professional firm who have specialist knowledge of their areas of law.
Outstanding lawyers providing outstanding quality advice. They are one of the leaders in the field.
Alex McMahon is an extremely safe pair of hands for any housing issues.
William Ford has long been a leading individual in the housing law world.
Osbornes' social housing law team is very good and very well regarded within the field, with great solicitors across the full range of seniority.
The housing team at Osbornes is the best in England.
Alex McMahon is another notable team member who practices across housing law, public law, and community care.
Practice head William Ford is praised as ‘the best housing and social security lawyer in the sector.
The social housing team at Osbornes boasts extensive experience in representing clients with claims against local authorities and housing associations in mandates surrounding disrepair, possession, eviction warrants and illegal evictions, homelessness, and anti-social behaviour.
A market leader across public law, international cases, financial and children work.
"The firm is known for expertly running judicial review challenges against local authorities, and has recently succefully challenged the Secretary of State for the Home Department in a case relating to adverse age assessments for unaccompanied asylum-seeking putative minors."
The social housing team is friendly, approachable and genuinely care about its clients.
A broad knowledge places the social housing department one step ahead of others when it comes to community care knowledge.
The social housing department always go the extra mile.
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