Sarah Collier
Associate Solicitor
Victims of Trafficking and Modern Slavery Solicitors
At Irwin Mitchell, our Trafficking, Unlawful Detention and Migrant Rights team can help ensure that the state is held accountable for unlawful decisions and assist individuals secure access to the support, protections and redress that they deserve.
We advise and assist individuals who have been referred into the National Referral Mechanism (NRM), individuals who have been unlawfully detained by the state, and individuals who have received age assessment decisions.
We assist individuals in bringing judicial review challenges against public body decisions, and assist in civil claims for compensation, including human rights breaches.
What is human trafficking?
Article 4 of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings (ECAT) defines trafficking as:
“Trafficking in human beings shall mean the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons by means of the threat or use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power or of a position of vulnerability or of the giving or receiving of payments or benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.”
There are several types of exploitation, including:
- Sexual exploitation
- Forced labour
- Forced criminality
- Domestic servitude
Support for victims of trafficking and modern slavery
An individual may be identified as a potential victim of trafficking or modern slavery and then referred into the National Referral Mechanism (‘NRM’) for an assessment as to whether they are to be recognised as a victim of trafficking or modern slavery. This is a two-stage process, whereby an individual can receive a reasonable grounds decision and then go on to receive a conclusive grounds decision.
While awaiting NRM decisions, a potential victim of trafficking is entitled to support via the Modern Slavery Victim Care Contract (‘MSVCC’), including accommodation, financial support, practical help accessing services and legal advice. This support can continue as necessary once an individual is recognised as a victim of trafficking or modern slavery.
An individual who is recognised as a victim of trafficking or modern slavery, and has a positive conclusive grounds decision, may also be entitled to Temporary Permission to Stay for Victims of Human Trafficking and Slavery (‘VTS’).
We are able to assist with bringing judicial review challenges against the Home Office for negative NRM decisions, refusal to grant VTS and decisions related to MSVCC support.
For enquiries relating to UK immigration law and visas, take a look at our Personal Immigration and Business Immigration pages.
What is an age assessment?
Individuals, in particular unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors, who arrive in the UK without documentation may be subject to an age assessment if the authorities have disputed the age that an individual states to be.
The outcome of an age assessment may impact the types of support available to the assessed individual.
We are able to assist in bringing judicial review challenges against both the Home Office and Local Authorities for age assessment decisions.
Find out more about age assessments in our article, AI and Age Assessments: A remedy or reinforcement of the Home Office’s troubled age assessment record?
Speak to our experts
We have the largest private client team in the UK; our team of experts are here to provide discreet legal advice to support you and your family.
Frequently asked questions about trafficking claims
Our Trafficking, Unlawful Detention and Migrant Rights solicitors have the expertise you need to build a strong case and will fight to get you the justice you deserve. We are passionate about our work, and we work with sensitivity and respect.
Our team is headed by Sarah Collier, who is ranked in Chambers and Partners as an ‘Associate to Watch’ and as a key lawyer in Legal 500.
The team is featured in both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 legal directories for handling “a wide range of human rights issues, with specialists handling cases involving the police, prison services, and immigration authorities” (Legal 500), and the team is recognised for its “particular areas strength within the field of civil liberties and human rights include… actions against the police and challenges to policy” (Chambers and Partners).
We’re here to help
Complete our enquiry form and one of our experts will contact you by the next working day.
Alternatively, you can call us now.
Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (Excluding Public Holidays).
08000473418
Making an enquiry
We have several ways you can contact us, either by completing our online contact form, by phone, or using our live chat. If you start your journey online, here are the first steps to working together.
Complete our online formWe need a few details to understand your situation and the kind of support you need.
We’ll contact you by phoneOn the call our experts will ask you a few more questions to make sure we connect you with the right legal advice from our team.
We arrange a full appointmentIf we’re able to support you further, the next step is an appointment with one of our specialists so we can discuss everything in more detail.
Serviced related to human trafficking claims
Our commitment to you
Our experts always start by listening, so we understand what matters most from day one.- 01Clear legal guidance
You will always get straightforward, honest advice, with regular updates to keep you clear on the way forward.
- 02Specialist knowledge
A wide-ranging team of trusted specialists who understand what it takes to protect your future, your family or your business.
- 03Your needs first
Whether you’re navigating complex personal situations or business decisions, we take the time to understand your world and what’s at stake.