NEWS: Murray Stable advocates involved in UNHCR case

Posted On: 03 November 2010

In the first case of its kind in Scotland, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been granted permission to intervene in an asylum appeal being heard by the Inner House of the Court of Session.

Ailsa Carmichael QC appeared for the UNHCR. Jonathan Mitchell QC with Julius Komorowski, Advocate, appeared for the asylum-seeker. Ailsa, Jonathan and Julius are all members of Murray Stable.

The case concerns an Iranian asylum seeker who was recognised as a refugee by the UNHCR prior to arriving in the United Kingdom and claiming asylum. He seeks leave from the Court of Session to appeal against the dismissal of his asylum appeal by the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal.

The UNHCR have intervened to provide assistance to the court by providing submissions as to the law applicable to cases where the UNHCR has granted refugee status, and information about the UNHCR's practice and procedures.

The court decided that the asylum-seeker's application will be determined at a further hearing on 1 and 2 March 2011.