Overseen by Chetal Patel, Bates Wells has ‘an impressive group of immigration specialists doing high quality work‘ in the human rights field of personal immigration. The group advises on a broad range of complex asylum and deportation issues, in addition to having a seasoned human rights appeals practice. Praised as a ‘brilliant, creative and hugely experienced specialist immigration lawyer‘, Tim Barnden has notable expertise with family immigration matters that engage Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. He regularly handles human rights claims both within and outside of the Immigration Rules for clients such as partners, elderly relatives, overstayers and children and is also able to advise on LGBTQ+ asylum cases. Matthew James and Alice Bennington are also key contacts for human rights matters, and both advise on a broad range of personal immigration and citizenship issues.

Bindmans LLP excels in the full range of human rights, asylum and deportation issues, with niche capabilities in matters involving the overlap of asylum and extradition, detention and bail. Acting for a diverse range of clients, the group is ‘uniquely placed to give vulnerable clients a very effective service‘, and has significant experience handling complex family reunions. The ‘outstanding‘ Liz Barratt leads the practice and is particularly known for her work with unaccompanied children and vulnerable clients. Roberta Haslam advises on a range of complex asylum cases from various countries, and the ‘knowledgeable and efficient‘ Karma Hickman is an expert in surrogacy and intercountry adoption. Elisabeth Attwood is also noted for her capabilities in this area, and Alison Stanley, now a consultant, has a broad immigration practice.

Known for ‘taking ground-breaking cases and fighting them all with great ability and energy‘, Duncan Lewis Solicitors has unique expertise in immigration judicial review claims involving human rights breaches, as well as a reputable practice in asylum, protection, deportation and modern slavery. Toufique Hossain, ‘a very capable leader and builder of teams’, is a prominent figure in human rights and immigration law, and Ahmed Aydeed advises on all aspects of immigration, including human rights, asylum and international protection. Rohena Wallace and Gemma Lynch have notable experience representing vulnerable clients such as unaccompanied, asylum-seeking children, whilst James Packer has a specialist practice in complex immigration and is ‘deeply committed to clients with cases at all levels from tribunal to Supreme Court.’ Vilash Gami and Pardeep Somel are both well-established in complex asylum claims, and the ‘calm and competent‘ Bahar Ata has a specialised practice in immigration and human rights-related judicial review claims.

Gherson LLP has a highly knowledgeable practice in complex immigration applications and appeals and is ‘one of the leading firms for high-net-worth individuals facing immigration proceedings and international criminal matters‘. The group advises on all aspects of UK, European and international human rights and refugee law, including asylum appeals, judicial review applications and challenges against exclusion orders. It also has unique capabilities handling claims arising out of European and UK sanctions regulations. The practice is led by ‘powerhouse‘ Roger Gherson and the ‘exceptionally bright and phenomenally hardworking‘ Charles Burnett, who are industry leaders in cases involving political persecution and regularly act in cases that are complex, multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplinary. Amalia Gherson's practice involves a broad range of complex immigration appeals, judicial reviews, such as exclusion orders, and cases that sit at the intersection of immigration law and sanctions regulations. Alfred Gherson is an international protection expert and also advises on a broad range of complex asylum matters. Michelina Di Leo, who advises on issues such as asylum, extradition and cases involving INTERPOL, and Michael Ventom, who has extensive experience with complex asylum, are also noteworthy practitioners.

Kingsley Napley LLP ‘offers a bespoke client service which is second to none‘ in all aspects of human rights-related immigration work, and the group is well-versed in matters such as challenging refusals, preparing applications for overstayers, acting on appeals, assisting with applications involving criminality, and complex family applications. With broad-ranging expertise, the team has a seasoned practice in detention, bail, deportation, asylum and citizenship, and is particularly sought after for its expertise in international protection. Katie Newbury, who is ‘knowledgeable and at the top of her game‘, leads the immigration offering for private clients at the firm, and is a prominent lawyer in immigration matters relating to surrogacy and adoption. Praised as ‘a real rising star‘, Oliver Oldman is an immigration and international protection specialist: he has a particular interest in asylum, human rights, detention and deportation matters, and represents clients in appeals and judicial reviews in a variety of courts, including the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. The immigration team is overseen by Nicolas Rollason.

Boutique immigration firm Laura Devine Immigration has ‘an excellent reputation in the field‘ and advises on the full spectrum of immigration law, with significant expertise in human rights-related applications and appeals. In addition to a top-tier asylum practice, the group regularly advises on applications that involve large absences and overstay, and also assists European nationals establishing their rights by making late applications under the Withdrawal Agreement. The team acts for a diverse range of clients such as refugees, separated families, elderly dependents, Windrush individuals and politicians, and has notable experience working with vulnerable clients including victims of modern slavery and those fleeing conflict. The human rights and appeals practice is overseen by Zeena Luchowa, praised for her ‘patience, diligence and professionalism‘, and ‘fantastic team leader‘ Matthew Wills, both noted for their expertise in human rights-related immigration work, whilst Laura Devine leads the firm’s overall offering. Praised as a ‘stand-out individual and leader in the immigration law sector‘, Sophie Barrett-Brown has expertise that spans all aspects of UK immigration and is particularly skilled in complex and discretionary cases. Brian Naumann is another key contact for personal immigration matters with a human rights dimension.

Described by clients as ‘a niche specialist firm with one of the top personal immigration and human rights teams around‘, Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP enjoys a strong reputation in all all aspects of UK immigration, asylum and nationality law. The group has excellent personal immigration capabilities with emphasis focus on human rights-related issues, asylum and deportation, and is particularly well-versed assisting families with complex human rights applications under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The team also has considerable expertise with LGBTQIA+ asylum and partner applications, which is a specialism of Barry O’Leary, who also advises on a broad range of immigration and nationality law matters, including international surrogacy. Also an expert in intercountry adoption, Alison Hunter, who has ‘high standards of execution an delivery‘, specialises in European free movement law and matters relating to the EU Settlement scheme. Diana Baxter, who is an expert in complex nationality work, family and other Article 8 applications, and Katie Dilger, who specialises in complex family cases and ‘always goes that extra mile for her clients‘, are also key figures in this field.

Providing ‘large-scale representation in immigration and asylum cases at consistently high quality’, Wilson Solicitors LLP is a reputed group of immigration lawyers in the field of asylum, human rights and deportation. The group has notable expertise in detention issues and cases before the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, and represents a broad range of clients, including victims of trafficking and modern slavery and asylum seekers from countries such as Somalia, Afghanistan and Ukraine. The practice is led by ‘insightful and strategic‘ Anita Vasisht, an expert in complex asylum and national security cases, and supported by Ana Gonzalez, who specialises in all aspects of asylum and personal immigration, and Muhunthan Paramesvaran, who regularly litigates in the higher courts. The group also includes Matthew Davies, who focuses on complex immigration issues, ‘true trailblazer‘ Michael Hanley, who specialises in complex nationality work as well as work at the intersection of immigration and family law, and ‘strategic lawyer‘ Marcela Navarrete, head of the firm’s detention service. Chris McKendry is key contact for political and national security cases.

Boutique firm Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors enjoys a strong reputation in all aspects of human rights-related immigration work. The firm has a primary focus on immigration, nationality, asylum and human rights law, and has a well-established expertise handling cases involving complex International Protection and detention issues. With a seasoned in-house approach to advocacy, the group regularly handles appeals at the Tribunals and the Court of Appeal, as well as Judicial Reviews in the High Court. Key figures in the group include Bernard Andonian, who specialises in all aspects of immigration and nationality law, skillful advocate Fadi Farhat who acts in a broad range of human rights-related immigration cases, and UK immigration expert Dave Vasoodaven who has particular strength in human rights law.

Overseen by Kathryn Bradbury, Payne Hicks Beach LLP  is a ‘top immigration firm dealing with all aspects of immigration for high-net-worth clients‘ with unique expertise in political asylum. Advising on the full scope of human rights-related immigration law, the group can ensure a multi-disciplinary approach in collaboration with its media and reputation, data law, and Interpol advisory teams. Described as a ‘standout partner dealing with the most complex cases in human rights‘, Matt Ingham is a reputable expert in International Protection claims involving political persecution and corporate raiding, and regularly advises on high profile and diplomatically sensitive asylum cases. The group also includes Gintare Plistkovaite, a ‘star in the making‘, who has a broad immigration practice that includes International Protection, extradition, judicial review and human rights claims. Richard Milford is also seasoned in International Protection and asylum, and ‘exceptional and punchy litigator‘ Sheroy Zaq joined the team from Duncan Lewis Solicitors in January 2024.

Praised for its ‘combination of skill, responsiveness and connection with the client‘, Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP advises on the full range of immigration matters, with significant experience in a wide range of human rights, asylum, overstay and citizenship applications. Pat Saini leads the firm’s immigration team and boasts a broad practice. Meghan Vozila advises on all aspects of UK immigration and nationality law for high-net-worth clients, with particular expertise in complex nationality matters. The ‘outstanding‘ Jen Parker is proficient in exceptional applications raising human rights grounds, including family applications and asylum claims. Parker has considerable experience working with children and vulnerable clients and acts in a variety of immigration appeals and Judicial Review claims. The ‘personable and skillful‘ Hazar El-Chamaa is also a key contact for private immigration clients.

The ‘very attentive and skilled‘ immigration lawyers at Doyle Clayton provide specialist human rights advice on complex and discretionary immigration applications. With expertise in private client, asylum and human rights issues, the group is a strong choice for a broad range of asylum seekers, overstayers and individuals requiring protection. The team is led by Anita de Atouguia. Malini Skandachanmugarasan specialises in in all aspects of UK immigration law, including a variety of human-rights matters such as political asylum, and Anna Blackden advises on the full range of immigration law with emphasis on human rights and personal immigration.

Farrer & Co boasts an expert team that handles complex asylum and human rights claims, especially those involving politically exposed HNW clients. Praised for its ‘unparalleled experience in dealing with clients who value their confidentiality, where discretion is an utmost consideration,‘ the group regularly advises clients in difficult situations arising from geo-political events, targeted persecutions, political attacks and economic raiding. Leading the practice, Elena Hinchin is described as ‘one of the best immigration practitioners around‘ and has a broad practice with particular expertise representing HNW and politically exposed individuals. The group also includes Lee Jackson, who has extensive experience in complex immigration, asylum and cross-border litigation, and Tom Hardwick, who excels in human rights applications and asylum work.

A go-to firm for high profile individuals, Harbottle & Lewis LLP has unique expertise representing HNW clients who are facing political persecution or who have fallen foul of a regime change and seek international protection. The group advises on a broad range of complex asylum applications and provides a seamless service in collaboration with its private client, corporate, property and tax teams. Practice head Sarah Gogan is a reputable expert in immigration and international protection law and ‘thinks outside the box and knows how to get the best results for her clients‘. Charlotte Boyce, who is experienced in high profile international protection cases, and Sasha Lal, who has a broad immigration practice, are also key contacts in this area of work.

Russell-Cooke LLP is a well-established group in all aspects of UK immigration law and has a strong specialism in human rights matters. The team has particular expertise in complex personal immigration issues that involve human rights considerations, specifically cross-border adoption and surrogacy and its effect on British citizenship. It additionally advises clients on contentious matters including administrative review and appeals at the immigration tribunals, as well as judicial reviews at appellate level. Leading the group, Ed Wanambwa has a broad immigration practice that includes considerable experience in human rights cases. Bhavneeta Limbachia and Harry Qiu Yu Yu are also notable team members.

Danielle Cohen Immigration Law Solicitors Limited is a ‘top-quality niche immigration firm in immigration and human rights work‘. The group has considerable expertise in asylum and deportation cases and is highly experienced in handling Article 8 and right to private and family life applications, both inside and outside the immigration rules. Danielle Cohen is ‘a force to be reckoned with and a formidable advocate‘ and has a broad immigration and asylum practice, as well as experience with other human rights-related applications. Giorgia Franchi is also a key contact in this area.

Described as ‘a team that is committed to assisting the most vulnerable‘, Freemans Solicitors is especially knowledgeable in nationality and citizenship matters, asylum, unlawful detention and other complex immigration issues. Practice head Oluwole Osibona is an ‘excellent lawyer‘ and advises on a broad range of immigration matters for private clients, such as Leave to Remain, entry clearance issues and asylum. Katarzyna Jurkun specialises in complex asylum matters and is praised as ‘a staunch defender of migrant and refugee rights‘. The group also includes Lorraine De Guzman, who handles issues relating to detention and deportation, and Meg Omolayole, who advises on a variety of asylum and human rights applications.

The ‘highly dedicated‘ immigration group at ITN Solicitors advises on a broad range of human rights applications and is particularly well-equipped in deportation cases and matters that overlap with the firm’s in-house crime department. The group also has considerable expertise bringing judicial review claims against discriminatory policies and practices in the UK’s asylum and immigration system. The practice is led by Syed Naqvi.

Leigh Day is praised as ‘a pioneering firm doing cutting edge work in immigration and human rights law‘ and has a well-established practice, set up by Jacqueline McKenzie, in a broad range of immigration, asylum and nationality work. The group handles cases from first instance all the way to appeals and judicial reviews, as well as cases before the European Court of Human Rights, and has particular expertise in applications of victims of the 2018 Windrush scandal. ‘Excellent lawyer‘ Nath Gbikpi and Frances Swaine are also notable practitioners in immigration and asylum work.

Praised for its ‘high quality legal work, excellent service and human interactions‘, boutique firm Sterling Law advises on all aspects of UK immigration law for businesses, individuals and families. The group has a highly experienced asylum practice and is particularly experienced in representing refugees from Ukraine. The group is overseen by Ruslan Kosarenko, Yuriy Lysenko and Edward Meade.