Refugee Granted British Citizenship Following Judicial Review Challenge to Good Character Refusal

Wilson Solicitors LLP has successfully secured British citizenship for a refugee whose naturalisation application was refused under the Home Office’s “Good Character” nationality guidance because of the way he entered the UK.

Our client, an Egyptian national, fled political persecution in Egypt and was later recognised as a refugee in the UK. Before reaching the UK, he had spent time in Greece and France and had entered the UK by passing through Ireland. Despite having been granted refugee status and subsequently indefinite leave to remain, our client’s application for British citizenship was refused. In its refusal, the Secretary of State said that he had entered the UK unlawfully and could have reasonably claimed asylum in Greece, France or Ireland prior to arriving in the UK. On that basis the Home Office considered that our client was not of “good character”.

The client initially applied for naturalisation without legal representation. When both his original application and a subsequent reconsideration request were refused, he instructed Wilson Solicitors LLP to challenge these decisions and the Secretary of State’s Good Character guidance by way of judicial review as unlawful on the basis of public law errors, breach of Articles 8 and 14 ECHR and incompatibility with the UK’s obligations under the Refugee Convention. Proceedings were issued in January 2026.

Home Office Withdraws Refusal Decisions

Shortly after proceedings were issued, the Secretary of State agreed to withdraw both the original refusal decision and the reconsideration decision maintaining that refusal. She also agreed to make a fresh decision in the client’s case and agreed to pay our client's legal costs. In making this fresh decision, the Secretary of State agreed to take into account extensive evidence of our client's good character and contributions to UK society submitted in the judicial review proceedings, including eight letters of support obtained by this firm.

Following this fresh reconsideration, our client was granted British citizenship.

A Compelling Example of Good Character

The outcome of this case highlights the importance of a full and holistic assessment of an applicant's circumstances, character and contribution to the UK.

Since arriving in the UK, our client has built an impressive record of public service, volunteering and community contribution. While awaiting the outcome of his asylum claim, he undertook extensive voluntary work. Following recognition as a refugee, he volunteered at a secondary school during the Covid-19 pandemic before being offered a permanent role as department head of English as an Additional Language, helping young people and newly arrived families integrate into British life.

The Secretary of State had before her extensive evidence of our client’s good character, including eight letters of support obtained by this firm.  The willingness of so many people from different walks of life to provide support for our client’s legal challenge was a powerful reflection of the impact our client has had on those around him and on the communities he serves.

Wider Significance

This case arose against the backdrop of ongoing litigation concerning the Home Office's February 2025 amendments to its Good Character guidance. Those changes introduced a presumption that individuals who had previously entered the UK illegally would normally be refused citizenship, regardless of how much time had passed since their arrival. The wider legality and application of that policy continues to be the subject of litigation brought by our firm.

While this outcome should not be taken as indicative of how every case affected by the guidance will be resolved, it demonstrates the importance of obtaining specialist legal advice where a naturalisation application has been refused on good character grounds. It also highlights the value of ensuring that decision-makers are presented with detailed evidence concerning an applicant’s character, personal circumstances and contributions to British society.

Comment

Catherine Hegarty, an associate solicitor in Wilson’s Public Law and Human Rights team, said:

“We were delighted to receive confirmation that our client has finally been granted British citizenship. He is someone who has devoted years to supporting others, both through voluntary work and in his professional role as an educator. The speed with which friends, colleagues and members of his community came forward to provide references speaks volumes about the respect in which he is held.

This case is a reminder that citizenship decisions should involve a careful and holistic assessment of an individual’s circumstances. We hope the outcome will provide encouragement to others who have received refusals under the Good Character guidance and are considering their options.”

The UK is fortunate to count our client among its newest citizens, and we are proud to have supported him in securing this outcome.

If you have received a citizenship refusal based on the Good Character guidance, or would like advice on the implications of the ongoing litigation in this area, please contact Wilson Solicitors LLP’s immigration team.

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