WIREDGOV

The Home Office will appeal against a High Court ruling which found that giving less than 72 hours notice before removing someone from the country is illegal.

There have been a small number of cases in which the UK Border Agency did not give 72 hours notice.

Published  guidance states that the 72-hour standard notice period can be withdrawn in specific circumstances, for example if someone is at risk of harming themselves.

Disappointed with judgment

A Home Office spokesperson said: ’We are disappointed with the court's judgment and we will be appealing.

'The policy of making limited exceptions in special circumstances to 72-hour notification of immigration removal has been an important element of our management of removals. The government remains committed to removing individuals with no right to be in the UK as quickly as possible.’

Process to stop

Following today’s judgment, the policy of implementing exceptions to the 72 hour notice period will stop, pending the outcome of the appeal.

The legal case was brought by Medical Justice, an organisation that provides independent medical and legal advice to detainees in immigration removal centres.