News

Serco Anti Eviction Meeting – 3 July 2019

5 July 2019

Wednesday 3 July 2019
The meeting to discuss Serco’s lock change evictions was well attended by organisations and individuals concerned about the lock change evictions of 300 refugees and asylum seekers from Serco leased properties. The discussions were as follows:
Court of Session – The current appeal against the Court of Session judgement, Govan Law Centre has secured legal aid for the couple whose case is being heard in the Court of Session. A motion is being called before the First Division of the Inner House on Tuesday 9 July 2019 to ask the court to expedite with an early hearing date. For more information contact Govan Law Centre.
Interim Interdicts – Glasgow Sheriff Court granted court orders preventing Serco from evicting 5 asylum seekers by lock change until the next hearing. Rona Macleod and Alastair Houston from Legal Services Agency and advocate Adrian Stalker represented five asylum seeking clients who had received eviction notices from their housing provider, Serco, and who were at risk of their locks being changed. A further hearing is scheduled for week commencing 7th August 2019 at which the court may determine the question of whether lock change evictions are legal in Scotland.
Implications for remaining asylum seekers in Serco accommodation – At present the bar on lock change eviction only applies to the five asylum seekers whose cases were in court. Serco has still not given any undertaking not to evict other asylum seekers who have been served lock change notices. It therefore remains extremely important that any individuals served with a notice obtain urgent legal advice.
Glasgow City Council has still not acknowledged its social work duties for vulnerable adults affected by the Serco lock change evictions. There is a continuing misunderstanding over Council’s duties and powers and a lack of innovation as to what can be done to mitigate the social and human costs of destitution.
Strategies for caseworkers supporting people in need: Everyone agreed that informing those affected that this is a serious matter is crucial. Given the successful interdicts obtained, anyone who receives a “Notice to Quit” should see a housing solicitor in order to obtain an emergency interim interdict.
Legal Advice and Casework Assistance
Positive Action in Housing is working with Govan Law Centre to create a fast track to Interim Interdicts against Serco for c. 300 #asylum seekers with Notices To Quit. A Legal Clinic is running in our office between 10 am-12 Noon every Mon with daily anti-eviction drop ins. Anyone in need of help can come in and make an appointment if there are no interview slots available.
Advice for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Out of 44 households who have recently told Positive Action in Housing they have been ordered by Serco to leave their accommodation; 11 service users have been issued Notices to Quit. Amongst those facing eviction are people from Afghanistan, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan and Syria. (Afghanistan is now the most dangerous country in the world, replacing Syria, which is the second most. South Sudan, Yemen, and Iraq comprise the remaining five most dangerous countries.)
People are frightened of what Serco is going to do. Letters are also being sent out by the Home Office to asylum seekers without support calling them in for “interviews” in the week from 8-12 July 2019. People are saying they are worried and frightened about how they will live if they end up destitute. Every time a person is forced into destitution, they lose an address and the momentum to progress their legal case.
R Qureshi, 3 July 2019
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Resources
WHAT TO DO IF YOU RECEIVE A SERCO NOTICE TO QUIT
The most important thing you can do is to seek legal advice.
A housing solicitor can raise an interim interdict very quickly in the Sheriff court to stop Serco trying to change your locks and evict you. (5 have been successful so far).
Please visit Positive Action in Housing, 98 West George Street Glasgow G2 1PJ or call 0141 353 2220 to get immediate help and arrange an appointment for crisis support.
If you have not already done so, please make appointment with a HOUSING solicitor to get help to stop Serco from removing you from your accommodation. Or call one of these housing lawyers:
Latta & Co. Solicitors
2nd Floor
137 Sauchiehall Street
Glasgow G2 3EW
Tel: 0141 222 2185
Legal Services Agency
Tel: 0141 353 3354
Govan Law Centre
Tel: 0141 440 2503
When you phone, say you have received a notice to quit from Serco and you want an urgent appointment with a housing solicitor to raise an interim interdict to stop Serco evicting you from your accommodation.
Then make an appointment asap with Positive Action in Housing, apply for crisis support and get further advice. Call 0141 353 2220 or visit 98 West George Street Glasgow G2 1PJ.
Remember: Always carry your legal documents with you and ensure you have an email address to help you communicate with your lawyer.
 
SUPPORT GLASGOW’S ANTI EVICTION DRIVE
AND STAND UP FOR THE RIGHTS OF REFUGEES
Help us keep up the fight for human rights for 300 refugees in Glasgow.
There are over 26M refugees in the world, Afghanistan and Syria are now the most dangerous countries on the planet. So why are vulnerable refugees – the elderly, the frail, the sick, and those with severe mental health problems and survivors of torture – from these countries being put onto the streets of Glasgow?
Campaigners from other cities in England regularly contact us to say how amazing it is that Glasgow is standing up to the Serco evictions because over there they are “used to” Serco evicting refugees onto the streets in their cities.
The question is do we want to get “used” to evictions and drownings to the point we lose our own humanity.
Donate here and leave a message of support if you wish: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/scotlandwelcomesrefugees
To give a regular donation to support people during this crisis, go here: https://www.paypal.com/gb/fundraiser/charity/133777
For other ways to give, go to www.positiveactionh.org/donate

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