In October 2011, the SLF was set up to test a model for supporting legal work. Two years later, it continues to give grants to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and solicitors’ firms that provide specialist legal advice for work where the impact is likely to go beyond an individual case, and result in significant changes to law, policy and practice. Set up by the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund, the SLF is now a special initiative of Trust for London, working in partnership with the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and MigrationWork CIC (who staff the fund), and recently extended its coverage across the whole of the UK.

The SLF funds work that benefits vulnerable young migrants living in the UK: ie, those under 25, living in poverty and facing disadvantage or discrimination because of their, or their parents’, immigration status. It supports the research and development of cases pre-litigation and third-party interventions across all areas of human rights, social welfare, discrimination, public and immigration law. The SLF does not generally support casework or advocacy, except as a small proportion of a project’s funding where no other funding is available and this is necessary to develop a strategic legal challenge.

This year, the SLF has awarded grants for work on trafficking, local authority duties to families with no recourse to public funds and to children leaving care, forced removals of pregnant women and children, cuts to legal aid, including the proposed residence test, benefits and Operation Nexus (which embedded immigration officers in police stations). Some legal challenges are underway and there have been notable successes where projects have brought interventions. Grants of up to £30,000 are awarded after consideration by a panel of expert advisers, chaired by Manjit S Gill QC, which meets eight times a year and makes funding recommendations. This allows for the speedy turnaround of applications, (applicants will normally hear within three weeks of the closing date whether or not the SLF has offered a grant) which can be even quicker in emergencies.

The SLF is keen to get applications from a wide range of lawyers and NGOs. Sue Lukes, the SLF’s director, said: ‘So far, we have had no applications from outside England, so we would love to hear from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, anyone who has a strategic issue of importance to vulnerable young migrants that they think they can address should contact us. Our application process is straightforward, and we encourage people to talk to us from an early stage, since we may even be able to put them in touch with other people working on the same issues.’

■ Visit: www.strategiclegalfund.org.uk for more information, contact details, application processes and deadlines.