UK Immigration: Speaking English Requirement Does Not Infringe on Human Rights

A High Court judge has dismissed a legal challenge to a new immigration rule requiring people to be able to speak English before coming to the UK to live with their spouse.

Mr Justice Beatson said the new "pre-entry" English language test announced by Home Secretary Theresa May in June 2010 did not interfere with the human rights of three couples who brought the challenge.

In his judgment, handed down at the High Court in Birmingham, Mr Justice Beatson said the new requirement was not a disproportionate interference with family life.

The claimants' lawyers launched the judicial review in the High Court, arguing that the rule contravened the right to a family life and the right to marry under the European Convention on Human Rights.

37 year Marriage

British citizen Rashida Chapti, 54, and her 57-year-old husband Vali Chapti were one of three named claimants in the case.

The couple have been married for 37 years and have six children together but Mr Chapti, an Indian national who does not speak, read or write English, cannot move to the UK under the new immigration rule.

The challenge to the rule also claimed the language requirement was unlawful and constituted discrimination on the grounds of race and nationality.

A tribunal ruled that Mr Chapti should not be given a spouse visa because it had not been established that his wife could maintain him from her income.

The first-tier tribunal also rejected Mr Chapti due to his age, lack of skill and English language ability, as well as his poor employment prospects

In his judgment, Mr Justice Beatson said the new rule did not interfere with the claimants' right to marriage and was legitimate in its aim of protecting public services and promoting integration.

The judge stated: "Taking into account all the material before the court, in particular the exceptions to it, the new rule is not a disproportionate interference with family life and is justified."

Dismissing claims that the rule was discriminatory because it did not apply to migrants from some English-speaking countries, the judge added: "The exemptions based on nationality are not direct discrimination based on nationality.

"This is because the 'bright line' drawn between countries to be considered to be 'English-speaking countries' and those which are not is a rational one.

"The new rule does not indirectly discriminate on the ground of nationality, ethnic origins or disability."

Immigration Minister Damian Green said: "We believe it is entirely reasonable that someone intending to live in the UK should understand English, so that they can integrate and participate fully in our society. We are very pleased that the courts agree with us."