Non-Practising Barrister sentenced for providing illegal Immigration Advice and Services

03/02/2011

Pearl Allen was sentenced today 3rd February 2011. Allen (41) pleaded guilty at City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 23rd December 2010 to five counts of unlawfully providing illegal immigration advice having been prosecuted by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC).

Allen, a non-practising barrister gave advice at her residence in Beaconsfield Road, New Malden, Surrey.  She was not authorised by the Bar Council or the OISC to do so.

Clients paid fees ranging from £300.00 to £2,000 to Allen to make visa applications on their behalf to the Home Office.  She took money but did not process the application.

Allen was sentenced to 4 months imprisonment, suspended for 18months on each count to run concurrent.  She was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and pay a total of £2,800 in compensation to her victims and £500 in prosecution costs.

Immigration Services Commissioner, Suzanne McCarthy, said: The law exists to protect people from unscrupulous immigration advisers.  It is my Offices responsibility to enforce the law and I will prosecute those who flout the law and take advantage of their clients.

 

 


Notes to the Editor:

  1. The (OISC) is an independent public body set up under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
  2. Since 30 April 2001 it has been a criminal offence for an adviser to provide immigration advice or services unless their organisation:
         has registered with the OISC;
         has been exempted from registration by the OISC or ministerial order; or
         is otherwise qualified under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
  3. The OISC is responsible for ensuring that all immigration advisers fulfil the requirements of good practice. The OISC is committed to the elimination of unscrupulous advisers and the fair and thorough investigation of complaints. Whilst it does not regulate solicitors it does take complaints against solicitors. 
  4. For more information contact Sharon Harris, Policy, Publications & Stakeholder Assistant at the OISC, on 0207 211 1619.