Thursday 2 July 2026

LDI Partner Zeena Luchowa has been quoted in a new article in The Times on the Government’s plans to replace judges with public panels of adjudicators in the asylum appeals system.

The piece by Legal Editor Jonathan Ames considers proposed reforms to tribunal decision-making and the wider implications for case quality, delay and fairness in a system already under significant strain.

Zeena notes:

Whilst it is positive that the Government is seeking to address the asylum processing delays, overhauling the current system at pace risks creating more issues than those it is keen to fix. There remain concerns as to the quality of initial decisions, efficiency and properly funded legal aid, all aspects for which improvements may be more effective than significant changes to the appeals process.

Immigration Rules and guidance are complex, and changes to the requirements and process are frequent. Adjudicators must understand the rules and consider whether the relevant law and guidance have been applied correctly, procedural fairness has been observed, and the decision is legally sound. The proposals indicate replacing experienced immigration judges with a lay appeals body without the necessary legal training or experience. This could undermine a fair system and may disadvantage appellants.

It is important that the Government allows time for adequate consultation and engagement with stakeholders with such major reforms, to ensure that access to justice and fairness are not compromised.

Read the full article here (£).