A new report published today by Bail for Immigration Detainees (BID) reveals that access to legal representation for people held in immigration detention has reached the lowest level ever recorded by BID.

The Spring 2026 Legal Advice Survey, based on interviews with people detained across five UK immigration removal centres, highlights systemic barriers to justice, leaving most detainees without the legal support needed to understand and exercise their rights, including applying for immigration bail.

Key findings

  • Only 27% of respondents had a lawyer
  • 53% were forced to work on their own cases
  • 87% were aware of free legal advice but struggled to access it
  • Record low levels of legal representation

The report finds that only 27% of respondents had a lawyer marking the second consecutive survey to record the lowest levels of legal representation since BID began monitoring access to legal advice in 2010.

People detained under immigration powers forced to navigate legal system alone

More than half of respondents (53%) said they or their families had attempted to handle their immigration cases themselves or relied on internet research due to lack of legal support.

Many described this as extremely difficult, citing restricted internet access, blocked websites, poor facilities, and the complexity of immigration law.

“I know I’m not a lawyer, so I don’t feel this is a feasible alternative,” said one person.

Serious failings in advice and support

The research identifies limited access to legal aid and insufficient capacity among immigration lawyers as the primary reasons individuals are unable to secure representation.

Despite high awareness (87%) of the right to free legal advice under the Detained Duty Advice Scheme (DDAS), the report finds this system is failing in practice.

People reported:

  • Long waiting times for appointments
  • Very short consultations, sometimes lasting only minutes
  • Poor-quality or incomplete legal advice
  • Lack of follow-up or written guidance Difficulty contacting representatives

Only 31% of respondents received advice on applying for immigration bail, and just 40% were informed about Exceptional Case Funding, highlighting further gaps in essential legal aid support.

Deteriorating mental health

The lack of accessible legal support is contributing to distress, uncertainty, and deteriorating mental health among those detained.

People described feeling ignored, unsupported, and unable to understand or progress their cases.

“It is hard to persist without knowing what is happening or hearing no news about the outcome” one person said.

Call for urgent action as numbers of people detained rise

The report comes as immigration detention numbers continue to rise, with nearly 23,000 people entering detention in the year to December 2025, an 11% increase on the previous year.

BID is calling for urgent action, including:

  • Access to representation by a legal aid lawyer within 48 hours
  • Restoration of legal aid for all immigration cases
  • Improvements to the Detained Duty Advice Scheme
  • Ending the use of prisons for immigration detention
  • Better access to high-quality, in-person legal advice

Without urgent intervention, people will continue to face complex legal processes alone, risking unjust outcomes and undermining the rule of law.

Pierre Makhlouf, Head of Policy and Strategic Litigation at BID, says:

‘At a time when detention and deportation are ramping up, it is more important than ever that detained individuals are able to access quality, consistent legal aid representation for their immigration cases, which are often complex and almost impossible to navigate alone. BID is calling for the automatic allocation of a legal aid lawyer for every individual in detention, until the point that they are removed from the UK or until they are given leave to remain.’

Read the report