Home Office U-Turn Allows Sikh Solicitors To Wear Kirpan In Detention Centres

[singhbj singh]

Home Office u-turn allows Sikh solicitors to wear Kirpan in detention centres

Carolyn Churchill

Wednesday 21 January 2015

LAWYERS have welcomed a change to Home Office rules which allow Sikh solicitors to wear a ceremonial dagger when meeting their clients in detention centres.

The Law Society of Scotland had raised the issue with officials after one legal adviser was told he would need to remove his Kirpan, one of five symbols of faith carried by Sikhs, when meeting a client.

Trainee solicitor Gurpreet Singh Johal, who is with Bilkus & Boyle Solicitors, later discovered that Sikh Ministers were allowed to wear the Kirpan in detention centres.

The Home Office has now changed its rules following intervention from the Law Society.

Mr Johal said: "Access to a solicitor is a fundamental right for anyone being held in detention centres.

"I work with clients from a variety of backgrounds, but it's understandable that in such traumatic circumstances, some people will want legal support from someone who understands their social and cultural context, or can communicate in their own language.

"You always wonder whether you should make a fuss, but even outwith my personal situation, I believe that any barriers put in place to ensure safety and security have to be proportionate when it comes to clients being able to access an appropriate solicitor."

Neil Stevenson, director of representation and support at the Law Society of Scotland, praised the Home Office decision to update its rules.

He said: "We raised this because it seemed unfair to baptised Sikh solicitors who have to undergo robust checks as part of their job. We were delighted to learn that the issue had been addressed through an amended order which came into force in time for the New Year."

Source - http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/home-news/home-office-u-turn-allows-sikh-solicitors-to-wear-kirpan-in-detention-centres.116657613