Combining ‘outstanding expertise, dedication and a genuine commitment to their clients’ the immigration group at Burness Paull LLP acts for public authorities, sports clubs, large retailers and private clients. Leading the team, the ‘outstanding’ Grace McGill leverages her longstanding experience to assist with citizenship applications, contentious tribunal claims and corporate immigration matters. Jamie Kerr has a human rights and asylum law background and is noted for his capabilities in visa work, often advising sports sector clients, while family migration specialist Amna Ashraf is adept at advising on spousal visa applications. In September 2024, Olivia Mclaren joined the team, and leads the firm's US immigration sub-practice group, boosting the firm’s cross-border capabilities.

The ‘highly competent’ immigration group at Drummond Miller LLP is the go-to firm for complex personal migration cases. The team, led by David Brown, consists of specialist immigration lawyers which often act in multi-jurisdictional mandates. Brown is considered a ‘market leader’ who is adept at handling contentious visa applications whilst Janey Armstrong leads the firm’s corporate immigration arm. Humphrey Ndubuisi excels in deportation and human rights cases whilst Anna Rani is praised by clients for being an ‘exceptionally gifted professional’. The team is bolstered by the work of Sarah Jack who is recommended for her ‘unrivalled expertise in judicial review’.

Brodies LLP  is noted for its strong focus on business immigration work, and stands out for its capabilities in visa sponsorship licensing and inward investment matters. Elaine McIlroy and Tony Hadden lead the team, which assists both private and public sector clients, and is reputed for its depth of expertise in matters involving the financial services, energy and care industries. McIlroy assists clients with obtaining skilled worker visas and compliance issues. Erin McLafferty is a key name for personal immigration matters, particularly nationality applications and right-to-work checks.

Acting for both private and public sector clients, Harper Macleod LLP routinely assists with international employment issues, judicial reviews and corporate immigration matters. Under the supervision of Bruce Caldow, the team possesses a wealth of knowledge spanning the renewable energy, healthcare and maritime industries. Described as being a ‘very knowledgeable, passionate and dedicated solicitor’, Ashley Fleming is an expert in contentious visa cases, the sponsorship of licensing applications and employer training. Elizabeth Basi often represents human trafficking victims and other vulnerable individuals, while Rory Byrom is a key name within the team’s commercial immigration offering.

Led by the ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Stuart McWilliams, the team at Morton Fraser MacRoberts acts for a varied range of corporate clients, particularly those in the healthcare, tech and transportation sectors. The team frequently advises on visa sponsorship applications, home office correspondences and contentious immigration claims. McWilliams has expansive expertise in both personal and business immigration. Pavan Sumal , a June 2024 addition from Shoosmiths LLP, excels at sponsor licensing work and corporate immigration support.

Thorntons Law LLP is particularly active across the healthcare, charity and hospitality sectors, offering ‘good, timely’ advice under the supervision of Jacqueline Moore. The practice regularly assists with employee sponsor applications, internal audits and employer training. Praised by clients for being a ‘powerhouse in immigration law’, Moore has experience in representing employers and private clients, and is well-known for acting in discrimination tribunal claims and minister of religion visa applications. Louise Crichton is key name in the team who frequently liaises directly with the Home Office on sensitive matters.

Joanne Hennessy leads TLT‘s immigration offering in Scotland, which is recommended for its strong focus on corporate immigration. The team, which offers extensive support to energy, transportation and financial services clients, often handles immigration work arising from commercial transactions and TUPE transfers. Hennessy is equipped to handle the full gamut of the sector and frequently assists employers with right-to-work issues and licensing applications. Key figures within the team include both Mike Legge and Hannah Eades, who excels at sponsorship compliance work.

Anderson Strathern‘s immigration team is spearheaded by Mark Templeton, who is active across both the public and private sectors. The practice, which works on both the employer side and for private individuals, often acts for education, hospitality and healthcare clients. Templeton assists with right-to-work compliance, sponsor licensing and visa application support, leveraging a wealth of knowledge of both domestic and international immigration policies and regulations.

CMS' team, led by Alison Woods and Richard Brown, offers extensive business immigration support to a range of blue-chip clients in the energy, technology and financial service industries. Matt Leon is equipped to handle a broad range of immigration matters, ranging from staff training and visa application support to financial audits and the correction of sponsorship issues.