CESSATION OF REFUGEE STATUS: UNHCR CONFERENCE

The first grants of refugee status by way of a five year residence permit come to an end in August 2010 and practitioners can be expected to face government decision making on cessation under the Qualification Directive for the first time. 

This course will assist delegates to understand the principles of cessation of refugee status, to be able to distinguish between different types of cessation, to know circumstances in which cessation may be applied to clients in the UK, to be aware of how cessation has been applied in the UK, to understand the implications of the application of cessation in the UK, and also to have basic knowledge of other jurisdiction’s approaches, and UNHCR guidance, in relation to cessation, to assist argue cessation cases in the UK where there is little precedent.  

The course is at basic to intermediate level, and should be of interest to all immigration practitioners. A basic knowledge of refugee law, the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and the European Convention on Human Rights is presumed.

It is designed for solicitors, caseworkers and barristers in private practice and the not-for-profit sector, and for the staff of NGOs who may potentially encounter within their work refugees to whom cessation is being applied.

 Cessation is not an area that has received much attention by UK decision-makers in the past, but with the change in 2005 from grants of indefinite leave to remain to refugees, to a temporary period of five years, followed in some cases by an active review, it is anticipated that cessation will become increasingly relevant to refugee law practitioners.

CPD hrs: 3