Our Scottish Refugee & Migrant Centre delivers collaborative projects targeting 5 key areas of work:
Second Tier Immigration & Asylum Advice Line
Our second-tier immigration and asylum advice line provides free, confidential advice for advisers or professionals in Scotland.
Telephone: 0141 406 5353
When: Wednesdays, 2pm-4pm
How often: Weekly
Who for: Advisers or professionals in Scotland seeking 2nd tier advice relating to immigration and asylum law
Advice from: JustRight Scotland solicitors, provided confidentially
Find out more: Second Tier Immigration & Asylum Advice Line (PDF)
Legal Factsheets
EU Citizens and Your Housing Rights (PDF)
This factsheet provides a brief summary of your housing rights as an EU citizen in Scotland.
EU Citizens and Your Right to Access Social Work Support (PDF)
This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to access benefits and social work support as an EU citizen in Scotland.
EU Citizens and Your Right to NHS Healthcare (PDF)
This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to access NHS healthcare as an EU citizen in Scotland.
EU Citizens and Your Right to Study (PDF)
This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to study as an EU citizen in Scotland.
EU Citizens and Your Right to Vote (PDF)
This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to vote as an EU citizen in Scotland.
EU Citizens and Your Right to Work (PDF)
This factsheet provides a brief summary of your right to work as an EU citizen in Scotland.
Rights of Reunited Family Members (PDF)
This factsheet explains the rights and entitlements of the family members of refugees who have come to the UK through refugee family reunion. It was written by our Scottish Family Reunion ServiceScottish Family Reunion Service Referral Form.
What is Refugee Family Reunion? (PDF)
This factsheet explains how a person who has been recognised as a refugee in the UK can apply to be reunited with family members still living abroad. It was written by our Scottish Family Reunion ServiceScottish Family Reunion Service Referral Form.
Resources
Press Releases & Briefings
Nationality and Borders Bill: Fix family reunion (word)
Open Letter from the Anti-Trafficking Sector Regarding Situation in Ukraine (word)
Nationality and Borders Bill: Joint briefing on Clause 31 “Well-Founded Fear Test” (word)
PRESS RELEASE: 60+ Scottish organisations unite against UK Nationality and Borders Bill and ask MSPs to refuse legislative consent (word)
PRESS RELEASE: Glasgow Social Justice Lawyers welcome announcement of legal aid for asylum seekers in Scotland facing eviction by the Home Office (word)
Policy Consultation Responses
Scottish Court Fees 2022-2025: Human Consortium Scotland and Scottish Association of Law Centres joint response (PDF)
Human Rights Act Reform: our joint response with the Human Rights Consortium Scotland (PDF)
Human Rights Act Reform: our response (PDF)
Human Rights Act Reform: Scottish Association of Law Centres (SALC) response (PDF)
JustRight Scotland and Children’s Rights Organisations: A Statement on the Nationality and Borders Bill (PDF)
Submission on the Aims and Principles of the Scottish COVID-19 Inquiry (PDF)
JustRight Scotland and Scottish Refugee Council briefing on the devolved impacts of the Nationality and Borders Bill (PDF)
Cover Note and Legal Opinion of Christine O’Neill QC on the Nationality and Borders Bill (PDF)
New Plan for Immigration 2021 – JustCitizens Response (PDF)
New Plan for Immigration 2021 – JustRight Scotland Response (PDF)
Judicial Review Reform and the Devolved Jurisdictions (PDF)
Briefing for Third Sector Organisations in Scotland Responding to the UK Govt’s New Plan for Immigration Consultation (PDF)
The Impact of the Human Rights Act 1998 in Scotland: A perspective from legal practice (PDF)
Short guide for Scottish civil society organisations on responding to the Independent Human Rights Act Review (PDF)
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights in Scotland (JRS) (PDF)
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Equalities and Human Rights in Scotland (JustCitizens) (PDF)
Impact of Covid-19 on Individuals with No Recourse to Public Funds (PDF)
Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme Review 2020 (PDF)
The UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Bill 2020 (PDF)
Proposed Right to Food (Scotland) Bill (PDF)
Independent Child Trafficking Guardians (Section 11 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015) (PDF)
Scottish Elections (Franchise & Representation) Bill 2019 (PDF)
Legal Aid Reform in Scotland (PDF)
Female Genital Mutilation (Protection and Guidance) (Scotland) Bill 2019 (PDF)
Incorporation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) (PDF)
Female Genital Mutilation (Scotland) Bill (PDF)
Independent Review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 (PDF)
Research Reports
Blog & News Articles
‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ and migrant women living with abuse
By Hanan El-Atrash In the UK, some migrants are subject to a condition called No Recourse to Public Funds or NRPF, which can have far reaching consequences for migrant women, particularly those living...
A joint statement on the Borders Bill “Not in our name”
In Scotland we have a proud history of protest, of raising our voices against the injustices that blight our society and speaking truth to power. We – the undersigned – are proud to work in a country ...
Access to Healthcare for People with No Recourse to Public Funds
"Hello, can I please see your photo ID and proof of address, please?" This question was posed to participants upon arriving at the workshop ‘Access to Health and Social Care for people with No Recourse...
An afternoon with Belgrade Centre for Human Rights
After months of preparation, JustRight Scotland opened its doors today! We got off to a quick start with an afternoon meeting with the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights at the offices of the Scottish...
COVID-19 Policy and Migrants in Scotland
It seems like both forever – and simultaneously no time at all – since Scotland went into lockdown. And though we may now be talking about taking the first tentative steps towards lifting restrictions, the...
Deal or No Deal? What EU Citizens in Scotland can do now to prepare for Brexit
Challenges for EU Citizens in Scotland: How to Prepare for Brexit? Faced with the continuing uncertainty around the Brexit settlement and the status of the Draft Withdrawal Agreement, our JustRight...
Destitution and Seeking Protection
In May 2017, the Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee (EHRiC) published a report on the findings of its recent inquiry on destitution and homelessness of asylum seekers and people...
EU Citizens and Access to Benefits: Time is Running Out for EU Citizens to Apply to the EU Settlement Scheme
Gwyn King, our specialist welfare expert and Senior Associate Solicitor in our Scottish Just Law Centre (SJLC) warns that time is running out for EU citizens and their family members to apply to...
FGM: Breaking Down Barriers
Here are some things about Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) many people do not know: Women and girls in Scotland are at risk of FGM; This is not something that is based in any religion; and It is a...
Home Office ‘Activist Lawyers’ Tweet Shows Govt is Not Above the Law
Yesterday, the Home Office published a video on Twitter criticising the role of "activist lawyers" in abusing "rigid regulations" to "delay and disrupt" the removal of people "who have no right to remain
Human Rights Act reform: we reject the UK Government proposals
JustRight Scotland has rejected the UK Government plans to replace the Human Rights Act (HRA) as announced last December. We have been working – together with other Scottish civil society and ...
Immigration: Preparing for Brexit
On 08 September 2017 at the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow around 100 people (mainly immigration lawyers) gathered to hear about what Brexit means for immigration law, now and in the future. ...
Introducing our new social enterprise: JRS Knowhow
We are proud to announce the launch of our brand new social enterprise JRS Knowhow. The start-up social enterprise was created in April 2021, marking almost exactly four years since JustRight Scotland was set...
JRS Spark: Brexit & Scotland – Migration Rights event report
As 29 March 2019 (the date that the UK officially leaves the European Union) looms closer and closer, many EEA nationals residing in Scotland are still unsure on how their migration status and rights ...
JustRight Scotland launches Ukraine Advice Scotland advice line
JustRight Scotland has officially launched a new free, confidential advice line called Ukraine Advice Scotland. This project, funded by the Scottish Government, is fully operative and will provide...
Legal Opinion: What does the Nationality and Borders Bill mean for devolution in Scotland?
Sabrina Galella, Policy & Public Affairs Officer at JustRight Scotland. JustRight Scotland and Scottish Refugee Council jointly commissioned a legal opinion from Christine O’Neill QC and her...
Migrant Young People and SAAS
Thanks to our JustRight intern, Niamh Grahame, for writing this blog. Starting university can be a stressful time for any young person. This stress is often amplified for migrant young people in Scotland....
Migrants Deserve Less Rhetoric and More Action
Over the last week we have seen many from across our Parliaments take a knee and tweet messages of their commitment to tackling racism, with the backdrop of disproportionate Covid-19 deaths across the...
New Collaborations for Children!
We have recently been awarded a grant of funding from Unbound Philanthropy for JustRight for Refugee Children to establish two new collaborations! Unbound Philanthropy is a private grant-making foundation...
New Plan for Immigration Consultation: A Briefing for Scottish Civil Society Organisations
On 24 March 2021, the UK Government published its New Plan for Immigration, which sets out various proposals for changes to nationality, immigration and asylum law. The consultation invites members of...
New Plan for Immigration Consultation: Our Response
On 24 March 2021, the UK Government published its New Plan for Immigration, which sets out various proposals for changes to nationality, immigration and asylum law. JustRight Scotland and our JustCitizens...
New: Factsheet on reunited family members
Our Scottish Family Reunion Service (SFRS) has published a new factsheet on the rights of reunited family members once they are in the UK. Immigration law in the UK is more complex than ever and is in...
Now is the time to show the Home Office the door
PRESS RELEASE After Thursday's events in Glasgow, where the community successfully intervened to protect two migrants, JustRight Scotland has written to the First Minister and Justice Minister calling...
Our Worker Support Centre is now available to all seasonal horticultural workers in Scotland
We are delighted to announce the launch of our new Worker Support Centre. Funded by the Scottish Government, this Centre is available to all workers on the Seasonal Workers Visa (SWV) in Scotland including...
Part 1: What on earth is age assessment?
This is the first in a 2 part blog on age assessments of unaccompanied asylum seeking children. At the Scottish Refugee & Migrant Centre our lawyers are specialists in age assessments. If you don’t...
Part 2: Top Tips for Age Assessment
This is part 2 of our blog series on age assessment, written by our JustRight intern Niamh Grahame. To read part 1, click here. As we covered in part 1, there is no single reliable method for carrying...
Response to Independent Review on the Human Rights Act
We have submitted a response to the Independent Review of the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA), in response to its call for evidence which closed on 3 March 2021. Our submission makes it clear that we see ...
Scottish Family Reunion Legal Service
From 1 August 2017, JustRight Scotland has been funded by Unbound Philanthropy to deliver a Scottish Family Reunion Legal Service in collaboration with the British Red Cross. Unbound...
Scottish human rights organisations unite to reject “unnecessary, regressive and divisive” plans to replace Human Rights Act
Responding to the UK Government’s announcement today that it plans to replace the Human Rights Act, five leading Scottish human rights organisations have released a joint statement calling the proposals...
Stamping Out NRPF in Scotland
By Talat Yaqoob The news stories of the increasingly dangerous and dehumanising policies being considered by the Home Office have continued to dominate another week in the press. We know that these...
The UK-Rwandan Plan: an agreement to trade people
Andy Sirel, Scottish Refugee & Migrant Centre The Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Government and the Republic of Rwanda, announced on 14th April, is an agreement to trade in people....
Using the Law to Challenge Discrimination: Migrant Access to Further Education & Unlawful Disclosure of Gender History by NHS
Gwyn King, Senior Solicitor in our Scottish Just Law Centre, highlights two recent cases where we helped clients to use the law to successfully challenge discrimination: Barriers to Migrant...