Overview

• The High Court injunction granted by Mr Justice Sheldon remains in effect after Lord Justice Arnold, Lord Justice Lewis and Lady Justice Elisabeth Laing refused permission to appeal, with full reasons to follow.
• Appeal judges indicated the judge made no error of law and accepted there is a serious issue to be tried over whether removal would conflict with the Home Office’s own statutory guidance.
• The Eritrean claimant was given at least 14 days to advance a modern slavery claim, with the court scrutinizing investigatory duties and the handling of potential trafficking concerns.
• The Home Office argued the pause harms the public interest and deterrence goals, saying the individual could seek protection and challenge any trafficking decision from France and warning of copycat interim claims.
• Officials revised National Referral Mechanism guidance the day after the initial ruling to restrict in‑country reconsideration for those removed to a designated safe country, as the pilot recorded only a handful of returns, with four removals confirmed including an Afghan person on Tuesday.