About Justice First

Justice First was set up in 2006 in response to a lack of specialist legal advice and support for asylum seekers and refugees arriving in the Tees Valley.

The core purpose of Justice First remains to respond to the needs of people in the Tees Valley who are seeking asylum in the UK but have had their initial application rejected.

People in this position may have a very good case for asylum, but with nowhere else to turn, they often face destitution with no means of financial support.

This also includes supporting those seeking sanctuary with applications for protection-based settlement (indefinite leave to remain), family reunion applications and extensions of existing leave.

We are a specialist service in the North East that works closely with, and refers people to other supportive organisations as appropriate.

We offer specialist legal advice, practical and emotional support, and deliver refugee awareness training, presentations and talks.

Please come and see us if you need advice on your fresh asylum claim, refugee settlement application or family reunion application.

Get Involved!

We would love to hear from you if you’d like to register to become a volunteer with Justice First.

We have a range of volunteering opportunities from regular involvement to one-off events and activities.

    Our vision is of a society based on a tradition of welcoming, acceptance and dignity for those who seek safety in the UK

    Justice First Client Feedback

    “Your strong support, your constant words of peace, encouragement and calmness helped in more ways to keep my children and I going through this journey, more than you can ever imagine.”

    JF Client

    “Our success story is not complete without you and the Justice First team. We say thank you more than words can explain. We will never forget your kindness and will surely remember you in our prayers, thank you again.”

    JF Client

    “I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to you and your truly professional team for all the hard work towards presenting my case. You’ll always be my role model and a dear friend and a true gentleman. I am now a proud member of this great national and a greater community.”

    JF Client

    “I am grateful very much for such a voluntary organisation. Their kindness makes me believe in all good positive things. And I hope one day I could join them in helping more people without conditions.”

    JF Client

    “They are a very helpful organisation who help Asylum seekers who have no Solicitors. They’re straight to the point about whether they can help you or not. While you’re there, they offer you snacks, tea or coffee and if you are destitute, they can even help with clothes and food through another charity. Very wonderful bunch of people there.”

    JF Client

    “Great team with huge empathy. God bless you. You helped me indirectly and I am very grateful and humble.”

    JF Client

    “Outstanding service received today regarding my ILR application. The advisor has excellent communication skills. Very responsive and helpful.”

    JF Client

    Our Ongoing Mission!

    Unfortunately, the wars, oppression and violence in many Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries, that are driving people to leave and seek sanctuary elsewhere show no sign of abating. As Justice First builds its reputation as a reliable and trusted source of help and advice for asylum seekers, so the demand for our work grows.

    Justice First Socials

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    Our vision is of a society based on a tradition of welcome, acceptance and dignity for those who seek

    Justice First

    2 days ago

    Justice First
    🎉 WE’RE 80% OF THE WAY THERE! 🎉Thanks to your incredible generosity, we’ve now raised 80% of our £20,000 fundraising target! 👏We’re delighted to share that donations have been coming in through People’s Fundraising, bank transfers, cheques and cash. This means the total shown on our People’s Fundraising page doesn’t reflect everything we’ve raised so far - we’re much further along than the online total alone suggests!We now have just £4,000 left to raise to reach our £20,000 goal! Every single donation makes a real difference, and we’re so grateful to everyone who has supported us.🧡 Can you help us get over the finish line? Every donation brings us one step closer to our target.👉 You can donate via our People’s Fundraising page here: www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/20-years-of-justice-help-us-raise-20-000Please share our post and help us spread the word. Let’s get that final £4,000 raised together! ...

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    Justice First

    4 weeks ago

    Justice First
    🎥 20 Years of Justice First: Defrim’s StoryOur third film in our 20 Years of Justice First series is here! In this film, Defrim shares his 10-year journey with Justice First - from navigating the challenges of the asylum and immigration system to receiving support over many years, most recently in his journey towards settlement in the UK.Defrim’s story is a powerful reminder of why *consistent, long-term support matters.🎬 Watch the film, share it with your friends and help us spread the word: youtu.be/Inynvw2_spE?si=ZxlUQl5oKMxs_iZ3And if you can, please help us reach our £20,000 fundraising target for our 20th anniversary appeal. We still have a way to go, and every donation makes a difference in helping us continue our work supporting people through the asylum and immigration system.🧡 Donate here:www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/20-years-of-justice-help-us-raise-20-000Thank you to everyone who has supported our 20 years of Justice First - and to the people who have shared their stories and made this series possible.#JusticeFirst #20YearsOfJusticeFirst #SocialJustice #RefugeeSupport #AsylumSeekers #Community #Charity #Fundraising #RefugeeStories ...

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    Justice First Follow

    Supporting people seeking sanctuary & refugees in the Northeast of England. We offer specialist legal advice regulated by OISC. 🧡#BuildingBridgesNotWalls

    Justice1st1
    justice1st1

    Justice First

    @justice1st1 ·
    6 Feb

    🧡 £20,000 for 20 Years 🧡
    In 2026 we turn 20! We’re raising £20k to keep providing life-changing legal advice for people seeking asylum and refugees in the Northeast.

    Donate, fundraise or share 👉 http://bit.ly/JusticeFirst20for20

    #20For20 #AccessToJustice #CharityFundraising #NorthEast

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    justice1st1

    Justice First

    @justice1st1 ·
    2 Sep 2025

    ❗IMPORTANT UPDATE❗️
    Temporary Suspension of Refugee Family Reunion Applications

    We know this news has come as a shock. We are monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

    #BuildingBridgesNotWalls.

    Reply on Twitter 1962918720436650088 Retweet on Twitter 1962918720436650088 Like on Twitter 1962918720436650088 Twitter 1962918720436650088