OA057122014 & OA057062014

The two appellants both female citizens of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who have applied to enter the United Kingdom for settlement. Their application was based upon their adoption by Mrs Dounce Tshisungu, their Sponsor, who is a person present in the United Kingdom. Their Sponsor is a citizen of the DRC as is her husband Mr Didwe. Both the Sponsor and her husband have been granted refugee status in the United Kingdom.

The respondent refused both applications upon the basis that any adoption order in the DRC was not recognised or accepted under UK Law and that the appellants could only be considered under "family reunion", but neither appellant satisfied the requirements.

The appellant's appealed against that decision and their appeal came before Judge of the First-Tier Tribunal Britton sitting at Newport on 12 December 2014. An oral hearing was held, both parties were represented. The judge heard evidence from the Sponsor and her husband.

The application for leave came before First-Tier Tribunal Judge Robertson, who considered the application out of time and that such time limit could not be extended, but also found that the grounds lacked arguable merit. The reasons given for this decision are as follows:

"1. The Appellants seek permission to appeal against the decision of First-Tier Tribunal Judge Britton (the Judge), dismissing their appeals under the Immigration Rules and under Article 8 ECHR against the refusal by the Respondent to grant them leave to enter pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 352D of the Immigration Rules.