This is an impotrant judgement made in the case of Project for the Registration of Children As British Citizens & Anor, R (On the Application Of) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2021] EWCA Civ 193.
Applying as a British national requires an applicant to provide a number of key evidences and with a high Home Office fees, a number of children do not apply for British Nationality.
The Court of Appeal in this case have upheld that the fee £1,012 to register as a British national is expensive and does not take into consideration the best interest of a child. However the matter did not overturn fully & a permission have been sought to the Supreme Court.
It is important that the Home Office reconsiders their position as a public body, who have a duty care to children who can qualify for British nationality because at the moment, a number of children simply do not apply due to the expensive costs. Another important issue which was not considered, was the contract awarded to a third party commercial partner, whereby the costs of the submission is usually equating to 25% of the Home Office fees being paid.
We hope that the Courts finds that the fees applicable are not appropriate and does not consider the best interest of children.
Author: ICS Legal
Last Updated: 22 February, 2021 | 05:00:00 PM
