OTB Legal’s practice is well-equipped to assist its clients in complex immigration matters in both personal and business contexts, with notable experience in sponsor licence applications, as well as spouse and naturalisation matters. Sally McEwen leverages her business immigration expertise to aid clients across the full license process, spanning application, compliance, and issues arising out of business changes. Mark Lilley-Tams leads on personal immigration matters, including British citizenship and EU Settlement Schemes, long residence, and family-type applications. Emma Cohen stands out for her international adoption and surrogacy expertise, while Lydia Watkinson advises on sponsorship regimes.
Immigration in East Midlands
OTB Legal
Responsables de la pratique:
Sally McEwen; Mark Lilley-Tams
Autres avocats clés:
Emma Cohen; Lydia Watkinson
Principaux clients
BoxCentric limited
Version 1 Solutions limited
LAC Northampton limited
RBC Brewin Dolphin
RMG Networks limited
Global Maritime Engineering Services limited
Human Security limited
Sharkmob London limited
Cherish Able Care limited
Tyndale House
Principaux dossiers
- Challenged a sponsor licence suspension for a domiciliary care provider resulting in the sponsor’s licence being fully reinstated which is a rare outcome in this sector and generally under the licence regime.
- Instructed by RMG Networks at short notice to advise and assist on a complex acquisition involving sponsored staff, obtaining a Sponsor for the acquiring company to ensure continuity of employment for all sponsored staff.
- Obtained landmark Court of Appeal judgment which concluded that the Secretary of State’s practice in making deprivation decisions without providing recipients the chance to make representations was unfair.
Paragon Law
Paragon Law‘s team is experienced providing support on corporate immigration, asylum and human rights matters. Thalej Vasishta and Kirin Abbas are noteworthy corporate immigration specialists; Vasishta works closely with companies on the legal requirements surrounding sponsorship compliance and employment. Abbas has notable capabilities assisting higher education clients. Asylum expert Deirdre Sheahan has led on guidance cases before the Immigration and Asylum Chamber, the Supreme Court, and the ECJ. A significant portion of Emma Okenyi‘s practice is formed of British citizenship cases and long residency applications. The four co-head the offering.
Responsables de la pratique:
Thalej Vasishta; Kirin Abbas; Emma Okenyi; Deirdre Sheahan
Autres avocats clés:
Shehzad Babar
Les références
‘Paragon’s immigration team prepares and litigates their appeals to a very high evidential standard, thereby maximising the chance that their clients’ applications will either be allowed on the papers or else will succeed following the lodging of a judicial review claim or appeal to the First Tier Tribunal.’
‘Very active and reachable, they have a passion for this work and are ready to listen to you, no matter how difficult your case may look; they encourage you and give you hope. They always come down to your level of understanding to provide you with the solution you require.’
‘Shehzad Babar is very professional in the discharge of his duty, I saw the empathy, the passion and how respectful he is, irrespective of who you are. He is always willing to listen to you, encourage you and advise you properly. His responses are very quick and timely.’
Principaux clients
Mencap
University of Nottingham
Tamatanga Restaurants
University of Birmingham
Brush Group Limited
Potter Clarkson LLP
Country Court Homes
Toyota
Principaux dossiers
- Advising and representing Dunbia UK Limited in its successful judicial review challenge of the UKVI decision to revoke its sponsor licence, with UKVI being ordered to pay costs to Dunbia for having brought the claim.
- Advising a law firm on transferring one of its senior partners to the UK under the Expansion Worker route to commence its UK office.
- Advising Country Court Homes on making reports to UKVI following the acquisition of care homes, restructuring of the group and preparing and representing the business for its UKVI audit.
Shoosmiths LLP
Praised by clients for its ‘outstanding service and expertise’, Shoosmiths LLP’s immigration team’s workload incorporates advising clients on sponsorship licence applications, compliance matters, and right to work checks. Practice head Rachel Harvey draws on her deep knowledge across both personal and corporate immigration law to act on a varied stream of work. Rory Stone is well placed to advise on Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility visas and Indefinite Leave to Remain applications, with particular activity within the mobility sector.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rachel Harvey
Autres avocats clés:
Rory Stone
Les références
‘Rachel Harvey has been instrumental in supporting us in the navigation of UK immigration rules and subsequent applications for our team. We are very grateful for the service that she has offered us over the last 18 months.’
‘Outstanding service, expertise and responsiveness.’
‘They are very friendly and explain complex topics in a very understandable way.’
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s team is noted by clients as being formed of ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’ practitioners. Partner as of May 2024 Emily Hasted sits at the head of the immigration team and works closely with multi-national businesses and international organisations on global immigration issues, including advising on the impacts of overseas assignments and secondments. She is well supported by Amber McAuliffe, who assists clients throughout the visa application process.
Responsables de la pratique:
Emily Hasted
Autres avocats clés:
Amber McAuliffe
Les références
‘We have had the pleasure of working with Eversheds for our immigration and sponsorship needs and we cannot recommend them highly enough. Their team is exceptionally knowledgeable and responsive, providing us with clear and practical advice at every stage of the process.’
‘The individuals we have worked with at Eversheds have consistently demonstrated an outstanding level of expertise and dedication. A special mention goes to Emily Hasted, whose support has been invaluable in guiding us through visa applications and sponsorship matters.’
Principaux clients
IPG Mediabrands
Skanska UK PLC Skanska UK
Taco Bell UK and Europe Limited (TB International) Taco Bell UK
Crown Packaging Manufacturing Brand-Building Packaging
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Mediabrands in relation to strategic applications for switching immigration category applications in the UK in order to assist them to retain talent and expertise in the UK.
- Providing guidance to a major manufacturing client regarding visa requirements in light of significant regulatory changes affecting recruitment in 2024.
- Providing strategic advice to a major global payment facility company on international secondments and global business visits.
Sills & Betteridge LLP
Sills & Betteridge LLP‘s group ‘provides exceptional services with very knowledgeable partners’ across its spread of offices in the region, and the team possesses strong expertise in relation to the immigration impacts of Brexit, with expertise regarding EU Settlement Scheme applications. Spearheading the practice, Deborah Linford has acquired a wealth of experience in personal immigration which sees her engaged by clients on immigration applications, citizenship applications, EEA applications and appeals.
Responsables de la pratique:
Deborah Linford
Les références
‘Sills & Betteridge LLP is an excellent firm that provides exceptional services with very knowledgeable partners and speedy solutions thanks to the tech used and the range of specialists within the group that can be called upon in times of need.’
‘Deborah Linford is exceptional with regards to the service provided – knowledge, speed and resolutions – but also humble and understanding.’
‘Deborah Linford has extensive knowledge. She was extremely thorough and explained everything to me every step of the process. And I would highly recommend her services to anyone who needs help with immigration issues.’
Baya Immigration Legal Services
Baya Immigration Legal Services‘ corporate immigration team specialises in matters regarding business sponsor licences, routinely handling compliance, auditing, suspension and revocation work therein. Team lead Jocelyn Howorth is singled out by clients for her ‘demonstrated deep expertise’ and is an experienced immigration advocate, having handled cases in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jocelyn Howorth
Autres avocats clés:
Owain Studley
Les références
‘The practice stands out for its exceptional client service, deep expertise and collaborative approach. The team’s responsiveness and attention-to-detail sets it apart from other firms, ensuring that clients feel supported and well-informed throughout the process. One of their key strengths is their ability to navigate complex legal matters efficiently, offering clear and strategic guidance.’
‘Jocelyn Howorth stood out as an exceptional legal representative throughout my immigration case. From the start, she demonstrated deep expertise, efficiency, and a client-focused approach, which ultimately led to a successful outcome.’
‘Excellent knowledge of immigration law, a personable and very responsive approach to clients, they are pragmatic and down to earth.’
Principaux clients
IntelisenseIT Ltd
Ctiywharf Property Investment
Transol Ltd
Hydelyne Ltd
Zeppelin UK
FYK Ltd
Bloop AI Limited
Pirsook Limited
ROB PROPERTY CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE
PEAR TREE GROVE LIMITED
PRISM FIRE TECH LIMITED
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Intelisense IT on compliance in Sponsor licence matters.
- Advised Rob Property Construction & Maintenance LTD on sponsorship licence matters.
- Advised Transol Ltd on effective use of CoS to maximise the new entrant rate.
HCR Law
HCR Hewitsons' diverse portfolio includes assisting clients with nationality tracing, family and partner-based applications, and providing comprehensive guidance on sponsorship-related issues. National head of immigration Lynne Adams is recognised for her expertise in global recruitment, compliance audits, and sponsor licence applications, and is ably supported by Paula Ursu. Personal immigration specialist Adam Cotterill joined the team in July 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Lynne Adams
Autres avocats clés:
Paula Ursu; Adam Cotterill
Les références
‘HCR Hewitsons initially assisted with a challenging Ancestral Immigration/Citizenship query. The individuals involved were able to thoroughly and extensively review historical policies and legislation. Their collaboration as a team (including me throughout the process) provided confidence for me to proceed (along with their continued support) with the UK Citizenship application.’
‘I can only commend Adam on the service he provided, his attention-to-detail, along with his professional yet personal nature made the experience very comfortable. His written and verbal communications when describing or explaining the legal terminology ensured I had a clear and concise understanding of each process.’
‘They are very transparent and seem to have a very experienced team of solicitors.’
Principaux clients
Mizuno Corporation (UK)
Capital Care Group Limited
NDT Consultants Limited
Enviro Technology Services Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Mizuno Corporation (UK) on the business immigration implications of an internal restructure of the Mizuno group.
- Advised Capital Care Group Limited on action to take following the curtailment of an employee’s Skilled Worker visa and his family’s related Dependant visas.
Richard Nelson LLP
Richard Nelson LLP‘s team provides personal and corporate advice across the breadth of complex immigration, nationality, asylum and deportation matters. Combining a background in both criminal and immigration work, the ‘truly outstanding’ Rita Kotecha heads the department and is a key contact for entry clearance applications, spousal applications, settlement applications, human rights applications, and deportation appeals.
Responsables de la pratique:
Rita Kotecha
Les références
‘A huge shout out for Rita Kotecha who is formidable, determined and knowledgeable. Always willing to fight in our corner. A real credit to the partnership and sensible justice.’
‘Rita’s ability to understand client needs and her proactive approach to delivering solutions have been instrumental in strengthening our working relationship. Her professionalism and expertise are truly outstanding. She is always flexible, accommodating, and goes above and beyond to meet our needs. I highly recommend her services without hesitation!’
‘Richard Nelson has a well-deserved excellent reputation in immigration law. The department provides an excellent service to clients. The members of the team are knowledgeable and they provide pragmatic, practical advice to clients about their immigration issues. Through their thorough preparation and their knowledge of the law and practice, they can secure the desired outcome for clients.’