The Home Office said UK representation for people who have been granted refugee status "depends on the case in question".

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Whenever the federal government is involved in litigation before the Supreme Court, the Office of the Solicitor General handles the representation.

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But the Foreign Office's policy of not providing legal representation to British nationals overseas was backed by judges.

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The way the chamber of deputies is formed - by an open-list proportional representation system - makes it easier for celebrity candidates to win office.

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The Public Accounts Committee will be looking at the impact of spending cuts in the Foreign Office - amidst concerns about the impact on British representation abroad.

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