It was a UK organisation registered as a charity,[1] providing direct legal assistance to refugees, asylum seekers and others needing advice and guidance around British immigration law.
IAS lawyers succeeded in winning a number of high-profile and far-reaching cases before the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal and higher courts.
Kalvir Kaur of the IAS won the 2008 Immigration Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Award for her work with unaccompanied minors and victims of trafficking.
[4] The Legal Services Commission said "During recent stewardship activities the LSC raised concerns around financial management and claims irregularities, which prompted IAS trustees to conclude that the organisation was no longer financially viable".
[5] Major changes in legal aid for refugees and asylum seekers were made in 2007[6] and 2010.