Activity 1 answers

• Suleiman is young and speaks no English and so is vulnerable to being exploited
• The recommendation from the first Kurdish man appears to be unsolicited
• Suleiman has paid a fee when he should be eligible for legal aid
• The fee is suspiciously small - suggesting further payments may be required later on
• Suleiman was asked to sign some papers, but we don't know what they were

The recommendation:

• How did you get talking to the first Kurdish man?
• Does he live at the accommodation?
• How did you get talking about your immigration matter?

The fee:

• Did the solicitor tell you that you could get legal aid?
• If so, did he say anything to discourage you from going to a legal aid solicitor?
• What was the £50 payment for?
• Are you expected to make any further payments?
• Do you know how much you will be expected to pay?
• Do you know what work this will cover?

The papers:

• What papers were you asked to sign?
• Did the solicitor or an interpreter offer to translate them for you?

More generally:

• Do you have any further appointments?
• Do you have a letter from the solicitor?
• Do you know why you need a solicitor?
• Do you know what a solicitor can do for you?
• Did your solicitor explain about his duties?
• What did you discuss?

• Explain the duties of a solicitor to Suleiman
• Point out how the solicitor's behaviour fails to follow those duties
• Warn Suleiman of the dangers of touting and unsolicited recommendations
• Explain about legal aid