1.Generally
The government’s advice is set out below:
“Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do

Stay at home
• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home
You can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.
Staying at home and away from others (social distancing)
“Announcements
You must stay at home apart from essential travel or you may be fined”

We strongly urge you, your family and friends, to follow this advice.

2. Haris Ali
As stated earlier in our Coronavirus Service Continuity” we are still working albeit remotely. And so please do not attend the office. Rather telephone and we shall respond to any query as soon as possible.
We are still taking on new clients, but at present, this too is being conducted remotely.

3. Home Office
We are aware that the Further Submissions Unit is closed. They are not booking any further Submissions appointments, any booked are now cancelled and instead the Unit will accept them by post or e-mail.
We are still able to assist new and existing clients to submit Further Submissions to the Unit.

The Home Office has provided the following Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents

“If you’re in the UK and your leave expires between 24 January 2020 and 31 May 2020
Your visa will be extended to 31 May 2020 if you cannot leave the UK because of travel restrictions or self-isolation related to coronavirus (COVID-19).

You must contact the Coronavirus Immigration Team (CIT) to update your records if your visa is expiring.” Published 24 March 2020

4. Tribunals
The President of FT IAC directed that from 25th March 2020 all face to face appeal hearings, in March and April will be converted to a Case Management Hearings via telephone which will take place on the Appellants’ original hearing date.

From 23 March 2020 the President of the FTT Tribunals has directed, that all appeals, apart from HR/EEA, must be started using the online procedure unless it is not possible to do so.

5. The Courts
Jury trials that have started will continue, there are no new jury trials, the Crown Courts and the Magistrates’ courts only covering urgent work. The High Court and Court of Appeal are only covering urgent work (mainly remotely). The Royal Courts of Justice Fees Office will temporarily close. In terms of housing, from today 27 March 2020, the court service will suspend all ongoing housing possession actions, initially for 90 days, this measure will protect all private and social renters.

Keep safe.

Haris Ali Solicitors