The High Court (Coppel J) today handed down judgment in Safe Passage International and Others  v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2026] EWHC 1705 (Admin). Ryan Ross acted for the Secretary of State, led by Alan Payne KC with Jack Anderson, Julie Anderson and Paul Erdunast.

The Claimants challenged the Home Secretary’s decision, announced on 1 September 2025, to suspend new applications for refugee family reunion pending a review of the wider family reunion rules. The Home Secretary said applicants could continue to make applications for family reunion in the interim; however, these applications would be under Appendix FM, rather than the more focussed route (Appendix RFR) that was formerly available.

The Claimants raised various grounds including that the decision was irrational; biased; a breach of the s 55 duty to promote the welfare of children;  a breach of the Equality Act 2010; and a breach of Art 14 when read with Art 8.

In a 163-paragraph judgment, Mr Justice Coppel dismissed all grounds. For a copy of the judgment, please click here.

 

Ryan Ross was instructed by the Government Legal Department. He has a broad practice in public, employment and professional discipline law. Ryan is a member of the Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel (C Panel).