What Is a Section 120 Notice? (One-Stop Notice Explained)

What a Section 120 notice is

A Section 120 notice is what’s called a “one-stop” notice. It’s issued under section 120 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002. When the Home Office sends you one, they’re asking you to do something specific — set out every reason you believe you should be allowed to stay in the UK, in a single statement. That includes every ground on which you say a decision to remove you would be unlawful.

Put simply: they want you to put all your cards on the table at once. No saving arguments for later.

Why it matters

If you receive a Section 120 notice and you have additional grounds to remain — perhaps a human-rights claim, a family-life situation or a protection claim — you’re expected to raise them in your response. Leave something out and try to raise it later, and the Home Office may treat it as a “new matter” that can only be considered with their consent, or seek to limit your appeal rights.

That’s why you can’t ignore a one-stop notice or dash off a quick reply. What you include — and what you leave out — can affect your case and any later appeal.

What to do if you receive one

• Check the deadline first. You must respond within the time stated on the notice.
• List every ground that applies — protection/asylum, human rights (Article 8 family and private life), medical grounds, or any other reason to stay.
• Gather supporting evidence where you can.
• Get advice before responding — an incomplete or incorrect response is difficult to fix later.

How Abrahams Solicitors can help

Our immigration team can review your Section 120 notice, identify every ground that applies to your circumstances, and prepare a full, properly-evidenced response within the deadline. We can also advise on how the notice affects any appeal. Speak to our immigration team or see our immigration services. We provide advice and representation; we do not guarantee any particular outcome.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I ignore a Section 120 notice?

You could lose the chance to raise important grounds later, and the Home Office may proceed on the information it already has. Get advice immediately.

Can I add new reasons after I’ve replied?

Possibly, but later grounds can be treated as a “new matter” that needs Home Office consent. It’s far safer to include everything in your first response.

Is a Section 120 notice the same as a refusal?

No. It’s a request for your full grounds to remain, often issued alongside or before a decision.

Who reviewed this page

Reviewed for legal accuracy by Imran Shah, Director and SRA-regulated solicitor (SRA No. 509359, admitted 2012), for Abrahams Solicitors — an SRA-regulated firm (firm No. 809071). This page is general information about UK immigration procedure and is not a substitute for tailored legal advice.