Nottingham law firm and immigration charity launch joint venture

Paragon Law, the Nottingham-based immigration law firm based in Nottingham, has launched a joint project with the charity Here for Good to support at-risk and vulnerable EU citizens living in the Midlands.

Following the UK’s departure from the EU at the end of January, most EU, EEA and Swiss citizens living in the UK will need to make an application under the Home Office’s EU Settlement Scheme to continue living here. Failure to apply by the deadline, 30 June 2021, would result in those citizens being made unlawfully resident and potentially at risk of deportation.

The new partnership aims to mitigate this risk by providing free, comprehensive legal advice to those most at risk. Victims of domestic abuse, homeless citizens and those with serious mental and physical disabilities are amongst the groups needing support through the process.

The Paragon Law-Here for Good service, which launched at the start of February, includes a phone advice line, an email enquiries service and 1-2-1 case support. Outreach events will also be held across the region, starting with a two-day event in Derby on 3-4 March.

Thalej Vasishta, CEO at Paragon Law, said: “Here for Good has worked since its inception to promote the rights of EU citizens, ensuring that EU citizens are aware of the fact that they are able to stay in the UK and through outreach work making as many people as possible aware of the application process under the EU Settlement Scheme. We are therefore delighted to be partnering with Here for Good to ensure that through our joint know-how and legal expertise that we reach as many as many EU nationals as possible and represent them through the Settled Status process. In order to promote this free legal service Paragon Law will be working with other partners, which we will announce shortly, across the East Midlands.”

Here for Good’s co-founder, Tahmid Chowdhury, said: “With the EU Settlement Scheme deadline fast approaching, we need to ensure that we can provide a comprehensive service that supports as many citizens as possible. Paragon Law is a firm that shares our values and commitment, making them the perfect partner to increase the services we can offer in the Midlands. We’re proud to be working alongside them to ensure that all EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, and their families, can stay Here for Good.”