Routes at the Society of Legal Scholars (SLS) Conference 2020

These insights focused primarily on the deleterious effects that an “accounting logic” and a prioritisation of speed have on the quality of asylum appeal hearings in France. Especially concerning is the widespread nature of this “legal quickening”, which, as their research reveals, is evident not only in France but in States across Europe. Moreover, as Jessica and Nick argue, the COVID-19 crisis presents an opportunity to further privilege administrative convenience and State interests over individual rights. University of Exeter Geography PhD student, Jo Hynes, presented her ongoing research into ‘ideal justice’ and obstacles to procedural fairness in immigration bail hearings in the UK. Drawing on observations from over 70 hearings, Jo discussed some of the spatial and temporal barriers that prevent the realisation of ‘ideal justice’ in this context, including the spatial inflexibility of hearings via video link, and the weaponisation of time in such hearings.

Dr Ben Hudson, Routes Co-Coordinator and Lecturer in Law, presented his initial work investigating pathogenic vulnerabilities during COVID-19, specifically in the context of statutory asylum housing provision. In his paper, he examined how such vulnerabilities have been generated through the UK Home Office’s decision to re-house thousands of asylum seekers in hotel accommodation, and he identified some of the devastating impacts such vulnerabilities have had on asylum applicants. Similarly, Raawiyah Rifath, PhD Candidate at Exeter Law School, presented her research into vulnerability, specifically how vulnerability might offer an alternative route towards determining asylum claims based on sexual orientation. Her findings reveal how a new approach is desperately needed to help eradicate a stubborn persistence of stereotypical views around what it means to be a sexual minority and how this is to be evidenced and adjudicated upon in the asylum decision-making process in the UK.

Despite the limitations imposed by the current pandemic, this year’s SLS Conference has nonetheless once again provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the ongoing research being conducted by those affiliated with Routes at Exeter! All speakers wish to thank the convenors of the SLS Migration subject stream, Dr Ana Beduschi (University of Exeter) and Dr Ruvi Ziegler (University of Reading), and SLS President, Professor Rebecca Probert (University of Exeter).