We wish to provide the following updates on a number of PRCBC key court challenges and policy work:
1. Section 3(1) BNA 1981 (registration of children by discretion)
Further to our previous update on this page and note circulated to professional individuals and google groups on our section 3(1) High Court challenge which was settled by the High Court in April this year, the SSHD had aimed to review her policy guidance by the end of July this year. We have now been informed by the Home Office that they will be not be completing the review of their policy until after the citizenship fee Supreme Court judgement in PRCBC & O v SSHD is delivered.
PRCBC have written to the Home Office for further information about this and we hope to provide any updates as soon as received.
2. Absent or hostile parent(s) not wishing to provide evidence of their settled/British citizenship status to facilitate confirmation/registration of their children’s citizenship rights
PRCBC court challenges and our various representations to Home Office officials have paid off! For years the nationality section and Passport Agency have refused to look into their own records to satisfy themselves of an absent parent’s settled status or British citizenship and issue a British passport or register our young clients as British. They have now confirmed to PRCBC that they have reviewed their poor practice and their caseworkers will in future look into their own records where it is not possible for an applicant to confirm a parent’s settled status or British citizenship.
3. PRCBC & O v SSHD citizenship fee case Supreme Court judgment
As you will know, on 23 and 24 June, the Supreme Court heard PRCBC & O’s appeals. It’s unclear how soon the court will deliver its judgment other than it’s important to note that the court had treated PRCBC & O as expedited cases. We will provide an update as soon as judgment has been delivered.
4. Citizenship training
PRCBC will shortly be publicising its annual training delivery dates on various British citizenship topic.
If you have any queries on any of the above, please e-mail advice@prcbc.net
Solange Valdez-Symonds
Solicitor and CEO