With a reputation as ‘one of the top firms in the immigration sector’, Bates Wells is well-positioned to advise on human rights matters, notably concerning asylum, deportation, and family immigration issues involving Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Chetal Patel heads the firm’s wider immigration practice, while the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Tim Barnden leads on personal and human rights immigration matters, with notable expertise advising LGBTQ+ applicants. Matthew James specialises in Article 8 claims, citizenship applications and issues concerning the EU Settlement Scheme. Leveraging a particularly strong human rights appeals practice, Alice Bennington is regarded as ‘one to watch’ in the personal immigration field.

The ‘exceptionally strong’ team at Bindmans LLP handles the full breadth of human rights immigration work, harnessing market-leading expertise in asylum, deportation, bail and citizenship matters. At the helm, the ‘standout’ Liz Barratt is distinguished for her work with vulnerable clients, unaccompanied and trafficked children. Roberta Haslam handles deportation, international protection and asylum issues at all levels, representing clients before the tribunals and higher courts, as well as acting in judicial review proceedings. Alison Stanley leverages more than four decades of immigration law experience, while Karma Hickman has specialist knowledge of surrogacy and intercountry adoption issues. Elisabeth Attwood and Alice Davis also come recommended.

Renowned for handling ‘the most cutting-edge cases’, Duncan Lewis Solicitors leverages its deep bench of practitioners to represent clients in significant asylum, deportation and human rights cases. Key figures in the team include the highly regarded Toufique Hossain, specialising in strategic litigation and public inquiries; James Packer , who handles cases involving unlawful detention and enforced removals; Pardeep Somel and Jenna McKinney, whose practices span removal challenges and asylum work for victims of human trafficking and torture; Bahar Ata, who leads on judicial review claimant matters; and the ‘standout’ Nazia Khan, who acts for vulnerable clients from initial application to the Tribunals and Higher Courts. Ahmed Aydeed departed the firm in November 2024.

With notable expertise in complex political persecution cases, the team at Gherson LLP is well-equipped to advise clients on a wide range of asylum and human rights matters. In London, the team is helmed by ‘industry legend’ Roger Gherson, leveraging more than four decades of immigration expertise, while Alfred Gherson is a key contact for a range of extradition, sanctions and asylum issues. Working between London and Brussels, the ‘excellent’ Charles Burnett leads on asylum and protection claims, as well as acting in judicial review challenges and appeals before the Tribunals. Michael Ventom is another name to note.

Offering ‘industry-leading levels of expertise and client care’, Kingsley Napley LLP is noted for its robust asylum and family application practice, particularly for public figures and high net worth clients. Nicolas Rollason heads the firm’s immigration practice, while Katie Newbury specialises in matters involving asylum, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, as well as cross-border surrogacy and adoption. The firm continues to expand its international protection group, with Oliver Oldman assisting clients in politically-motivated prosecutions and investigations. Josephine Burnett, Bukunmi Osuntoki and Elli Graves are also key contacts.

The team at boutique firm Laura Devine Immigration harnesses an ‘abundance of knowledge’ in the full breadth of immigration matters, with a particularly robust human rights and appeals practice. The practice is co-led by the ‘very personable’ Matthew Wills, a specialist in family matters involving complex visit visa and Article 8 ECHR applications. Wills is joined by Zeena Luchowa, who represents clients in challenges to Home Office refusals, asylum and humanitarian protection matters. Francesca Sciberras handles cases involving nationality and European nationals post-Brexit, while Brian Naumann supports clients in applications made outside the rules on compassionate grounds. Other key contacts include head of the firm Laura Devine and the highly regarded Sophie Barrett-Brown, with the latter handling a wide range of discretionary applications across the immigration spectrum.

Heralded as ‘one of the best niche specialist immigration firms in the sector’, Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP has earned a strong reputation for its expertise in deportation, asylum, and human rights cases, with particular focus on supporting victims of domestic violence and LGBTQI+ clients. The practice is jointly led by Barry O’Leary, who comes recommended for his expertise in asylum and human rights claims based on sexual identity; intercountry adoption-expert Alison Hunter; ‘intellectual heavyweight’ Diana Baxter, a specialist in Article 8 ECHR applications and nationality issues; and Katie Dilger, who was promoted to partner in 2023. Andrew Jones and Ciera McCartney are noted for their expertise in asylum and nationality matters.

The deep bench at Wilson Solicitors LLP combines ‘professionalism and integrity’ with ‘exceptional’ legal knowledge to act for clients in high-profile asylum, deportation and human rights cases. The immigration department is led by the esteemed Anita Vasisht, who litigates complex asylum and human rights matters before the higher courts, and also maintains a strong practice in national security, regularly appearing before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC). Vasisht is joined by deputy heads of department Ana Gonzalez and Muhunthan Paramesvaran, both recognised as specialists across the full spectrum of immigration, nationality and asylum law matters. Other key names in the group include founding partner Michael Hanley; Aisling Ni Chuinn, who handles cases involving vulnerable adults, including victims of trafficking and torture; national security and SIAC-expert Chris McKendry; and Marcela Navarrete, who harnesses expertise in complex appeals and judicial review applications.

Harnessing ‘unrivalled expertise in all areas of immigration’, Mishcon de Reya LLP is turned to by high-profile and high-net-worth individuals seeking comprehensive immigration services, with particular strength in asylum and extradition matters. The ‘excellent’ Steven Bostock leads the team, Kamal Rahman is a specialist in applications outside of the Immigration Rules, and Maria Patsalos is highly regarded for handling political asylum claims. Other key names include Jessica Good, a ‘go-to lawyer’ for complex appeals and judicial review cases; Hannah Barnett, whose practice includes family-based applications and European free movement rights following Brexit; and the ‘superb’ Lucy Humphreys.

The citizenship and immigration practice at Payne Hicks Beach LLP has developed a reputation as ‘market leaders’ in advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals on complex human rights and international protection issues. Practice head Kathryn Bradbury is regarded by clients as ‘one of the most experienced and skilled immigration lawyers around’, while Matt Ingham leverages significant expertise in asylum claims involving political persecution and corporate raiding. The group also includes Gintare Plistkovaite, a practitioner with wide-ranging immigration expertise, and Sheroy Zaq, who is highlighted as a ‘very punchy litigator’ in first instant asylum claims, appeals and judicial review matters.

Danielle Cohen Immigration Law Solicitors Limited harnesses a ‘deeply personal and human-centred approach’ to advise clients on asylum and deportation matters, with notable expertise in supporting religious minorities in areas of conflict. The ‘highly respected’ Danielle Cohen leads on the full gamut of immigration matters, including asylum, citizenship and human rights issues. Giorgia Franchi specialises in family-related claims and appeals and is particularly adept at working with vulnerable clients, notably victims of domestic violence. Chloe Spaven joined the firm in October 2024, acting for clients from initial applications to appeal and judicial review litigation, while Nina Sekular is a key contact for British citizenship issues.

Leveraging ‘unmatched experience in complex immigration cases’, Farrer & Co is well-equipped to assist high net worth clients in matters spanning asylum and human rights to discretionary applications outside the Immigration Rules. Spearheaded by Elena Hinchin, regarded as ‘one of the leading practitioners’ in the field, the group is particularly well known for its work supporting politically exposed individuals and their families in political asylum matters. Lee Jackson has extensive litigation experience before the Higher Courts, as well as the European Court of Human Rights, while Tom Hardwick is noted for a specialism in British nationality law. Sonia Cala-Lesina is a key contact for Article 8 ECHR applications and family-based human rights applications.

The immigration practice at Harbottle & Lewis LLP is integrated within the firm’s private client, tax and immigration department, offering high-profile clients a multidisciplinary and full-spectrum service. Gary Ashford heads the private client department, with Sasha Lal specialising in a wide range of business and personal immigration matters. Former practice head Sarah Gogan and Charlotte Boyce departed the firm in June 2025.

Distinguished as a ‘pioneering firm at the forefront of legal change’, Leigh Day continues to strengthen its immigration and asylum offering, with a particularly robust practice assisting victims of the Windrush Scandal. Jacqueline McKenzie heads the practice, with extensive expertise spanning asylum, human rights claims and appeals against deportation. ‘Intellectual heavyweight’ Nath Gbikpi is adept at handling asylum applications based on sexual identity, domestic abuse, as well as applications by children in care and care leavers. Frances Swaine and Freya Danby are also noted for their work on Windrush claims.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP’s immigration team advises both individuals and businesses across the full spectrum of immigration matters, working in close collaboration with the firm’s private client and family law departments. The practice is led by Pat Saini, with Hazar El-Chamaa focusing on discretionary applications and Meghan Vozila specialising in EU settlement and nationality law. Jen Parker has strengthened the team’s expertise in asylum and human rights, with a practice that includes family-based applications, asylum claims, and appeals.

With a ‘reputation for integrity, professionalism and outstanding client care’, Freemans Solicitors advises vulnerable clients on citizenship and nationality matters, as well as unlawful detention, before the tribunals, higher courts and European Court of Human Rights. Within the immigration team, practice head Oluwole Osibona handles the full spectrum of personal immigration matters; Katarzyna Jurkun specialises in advising vulnerable clients such as victims of modern slavery, domestic violence and trafficking; and Lorraine De Guzman ‘expertly' handles cases involving in-country and judicial review applications.

Leveraging a particularly robust deportation practice, ITN Solicitors‘ immigration team ‘stands out for its client care and preparation of cases’. Practice head Syed Naqvi is highly regarded for his judicial review work and brings extensive expertise in asylum, trafficking, and human rights matters. The team was bolstered by the recent arrival of Kai Man, formerly of Birnberg Peirce & Partners, who strengthens the firm’s trafficking and refugee practice.

The immigration team at Russell-Cooke LLP is turned to by victims of trafficking, refugees and asylum seekers for comprehensive support on a range of human rights and asylum matters. At the helm is Ed Wanambwa, whose wide-ranging practice spans business, personal and human rights immigration matters. Bhavneeta Limbachia is well-equipped to advise clients on cases involving overstaying, human rights and applications under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Boutique firm Sterling Law is praised for its ‘rare combination of legal acumen, empathy, and professionalism’, offering expertise on citizenship, human rights and asylum claims and appeals. Ruslan Kosarenko advises high-net-worth individuals on business immigration, human rights and extradition matters, while Yuriy Lysenko ‘brings a thoughtful, meticulous approach’ to the full gamut of personal immigration cases. Michael Iatsukha, Oksana Demyanchuk and Edward Meade are other key contacts.