Recommendation 35

Whilst it is inevitable that serving notice of deprivation of citizenship orders will present challenges in some cases, it is disproportionate to remove the obligation to give notice entirely in the five specified circumstances. Bearing in mind the public law principle of fairness, it is questionable that an uncommunicated administrative decision of such a grave nature, with such severe consequences for the individual affected, should bind an individual who is being stripped of their rights. We suggest that Clause 9 should be deleted from the Bill. If Clause 9 is to be retained in the Bill, at a minimum, the Secretary of State should be required to take reasonable steps to give notice of deprivation of citizenship orders.