Unqualified Adviser Fined for giving Illegal Immigration Advice
19/05/2010
A bogus adviser from South London, was on 18 May 2010, sentenced at Southwark Crown Court of illegally providing immigration advice and services.
Christopher Kelly, a bogus adviser from South London, was on 18 May 2010, sentenced at Southwark Crown Court of illegally providing immigration advice and services.
Kelly, 69, operated his illegal business, Shamrock Law, from premises in Brixton, South London, where he mainly targeted Jamaicans who were seeking immigration advice.
Complainants reported Kelly to the Office of the Immigration Services (OISC) for not providing the services and advice for which they had paid him. Kelly had never been registered with the OISC to provide immigration advice.
Kelly was ordered to pay £750 in fines, costs of £750 and a total of £4,300 in compensation to four victims.
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 Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (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. In the UK immigration advisers must be regulated by the OISC.
5 The OISC currently regulates 4,000 advisers across the UK and provides a list of those allowed to give advice on its website www.oisc.gov.uk
6. For more information contact Sharon Harris, Policy, Publications and Stakeholders Assistant at the OISC, on 020 7211 1619.
