EEA Family Permit, family life as a Partner

Case facts

The Appellant applied to join her husband in the UK and prior engaging with ICS Legal, had applied for the EEA Family Permit three times, all three refused, with various grounds and appeal rights exhausted. 

The decision letters raised a number of issues, related to the relationship, the intention to live together and the Sponsor's ability to support his wife in the UK. The marriage of convenience was raised and there was strong evidences to suggest that the information were not consistent. 

Outcome of the matter

The Sponsor contacted ICS Legal, following the appeal rights exhausted and we analysed the grounds of refusal, the application & evidences. Following this, we lodged a new application with new evidences and information, as well as drafting detailed grounds of representation.

The application unfortunately was refused on the 28th February 2019. The decision was based on an unannounced interview that took place between the Home Office & the Appellant/Sponsor. The issue of marriage of convenience was raised and the Home Office refused the application. 

We assessed the findings and found that given there was no material evidences issues as with the last applications or the information provided at the date of application was correct, the appeal process was advised. 

The appeal with full detailed grounds and evidences were lodged. We needed to make sure that the Home Office were well aware of the issues we wish to raise, so that, if the matter was listed at the First Tier Tribunal, the Home Office was not able to raise issues and asking for further adjournments to the appeal hearing. The ECM reviewed the decision however did not overturn the decision. 

The First Tier Tribunal set an appeal hearing date on the 6th of December 2019. We prepared the Client's appeal bundle, which included detailed witness statements and skeleton arguments, drawing in starred case laws, and this was served to all interesting parties prior to the scheduled appeal hearing. 

On the 6th of December 2019, the matter went before IAC Taylor House. The First Tier Tribunal Judge Peer was presented with the case and we argued that the Appellant & Sponsor are in a genuine and subsisting relationship. We drew the Judge to the issues on the interview and provided the Judge with matters that was not really relevant, that had been drawn by the Home Office. The only argument the Home Office Counsel raised was the issue of the interview notes, as the appeal bundle & the application contained material evidences to support the relationship. 

Right to family life Article 8 ECHR could not be raised but we demonstrated the mental impact as well as the impact to their family life should be considered in light of the EEA Regulations 2016. 

The First Tier Tribunal Judge agreed that the Appellant had met the threshold and the appeal was allowed. The decision was not challenged by the Home Office and the Appellant was granted an EEA family permit. 

End.