This short video explains what to expect during an immigration or asylum appeal at the First-tier Tribunal, specifically in Birmingham. It guides you through the basics of the process — from arriving at the court to giving your testimony and receiving a decision. The aim is to help you feel more prepared and confident. It was created by University of Birmingham students Lara Tsentides, Ngozi Chioke, Xinyue Li, Tracy Yu, and Oliver Brindley under the guidance of barrister Adam Pipe.
Auto-generated using YouTube's transcript and OpenAI (accuracy cannot be guaranteed)
The work of the First-tier Tribunal Immigration and Asylum Chamber involves managing the appeals for certain decisions made by the Home Office. The cases are regarding permission to stay, deportation from, and entry clearance to the United Kingdom.
To help prepare you before going through the tribunal process, here are a few tips.
Arriving early to the Birmingham County Court will allow you to pass through security smoothly. Following this, head to the fourth floor and check in at reception. Please be seated in the waiting room next.
If you have a representative, you'll meet with them in a consultation room before the tribunal begins. If you require an interpreter, you'll be provided with one. Soon afterwards, you'll enter the room where the tribunal takes place. The judge, Home Office representative, and your representative will be there too.
Now, during the tribunal, you'll have the opportunity to share your testimony. This plays an important role in influencing the tribunal's decision, so be prepared to describe all necessary details surrounding your case. With any evidence you provide, make sure that it meets with evidence requirements. You can use the website displayed on the screen to check this. You'll be able to explain the context about your evidence as well.
We understand this can be a long and emotional process. Breaks are provided for support.
The role of the judge is to ask questions they think are necessary in order to gain an in-depth understanding of your case. The Home Office representative asks in-depth questions about your case, so make sure that your answers are as clear as possible.
Being asked questions by both the judge and the Home Office can be challenging, so think to yourself when responding: do your answers cover all the important information relevant to your case? Have you given in-depth reasoning to every point you've made? Doing so will allow you to effectively convey your situation.
The tribunal is an independent decision-making body; therefore, it's not connected with both the Home Office and representative. For this reason, you must make sure you're consistent, precise, and accurate when describing your testimony.
You'll receive the outcome of your case 2 to 4 weeks after your tribunal has taken place.
For further information and support, visit the websites listed below. Good luck and best wishes.