Public law update

LEGITIMATE EXPECTATION
In a series of recent cases the courts have grappled with issues of legitimate expectation as they relate to people granted leave to live and work in the UK under the highly skilled migrant programme (HSMP). These migrants are by definition exceptionally well qualified and make a valuable contribution to the UK. Their problem has been that, having been encouraged to come here on a programme leading to settlement (permanent residence), the rules of the programme and their eligibility for employment were suddenly changed and they found themselves facing the prospect of having to leave the country.

AA and HSMP Forum
The first pair of cases arise from changes to the HSMP criteria in November 2006. These meant that many of those already on the programme who had expected to be able to settle in the UK in due course, suddenly became ineligible for any extension of leave. The appellants in AA (Pakistan) [2008] UKAIT 00003 (21 December 2007) had originally applied for HSMP status in reliance