Ashfords LLP‘s immigration team is highly regarded for its wide ranging employment and immigration practice, supporting clients across the healthcare, hospitality, tech and marine sectors. The team also specialises in personal immigration matters for private individuals, including spousal visas and urgent leave to remain applications on human rights grounds. The ‘exceptional’ Kirsty Cooke leads the immigration practice, handling the full gamut of recruitment and employment issues for businesses, with a notable specialism advising on marine and maritime-related immigration issues. Ellen Parker advises employers on sponsor licence applications and obligations, as well as family visa applications, while Laura Wonnacott specialises in visa and right to work issues in the marine sector.
Immigration in South West
Ashfords LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Kirsty Cooke
Autres avocats clés:
Ellen Parker; Laura Wonnacott
Les références
‘They have a great understanding of our business and the challenges we have in our market. Therefore, the team has been able to support us in obtaining the right advice and following the correct process to be able to sponsor migrant workers for our business.’
‘We have been able to build a great relationship which makes the team very approachable, especially Ellen Parker who has always been very helpful.’
‘My dealings with Ashfords were especially positive. I was dealing with what was (for me) a complex area of employment, but the subject area and advice was made accessible to someone without legal training. I met numerous members of the team and all were courteous, very friendly and made time for me.’
Principaux clients
Ocado Group Limited
Nanusens Limited
The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Tungsten West plc/Drakelands Restoration Limited
Barton Place Limited/BN Care Holdings Limited
Industrial Robotic Solutions Limited
McDonalds Franchisee
Principaux dossiers
- Providing ongoing support to Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on all UK immigration issues, including right to work issues, Health and Care Worker visas and the immigration requirements following the recruitment of foreign qualified doctors and nurses.
- Supported Drakelands Restoration Limited/Tungsten West plc with the immigration aspects of the appointment of the new CEO, including sponsor licence application and Skilled Worker Visa.
- Providing Ocado Group Limited with ongoing support on all day to day immigration issues, including right to work matters and training to staff on sponsorship processes and obligations.
Burges Salmon LLP
Burges Salmon LLP offers the full breadth of immigration support to an impressive roster of FTSE 100 companies, charities, non-departmental public bodies and start-up clients. The team leverages an integrated business immigration and employment service to advise on multi-jurisdictional mobility strategies, sponsor licences and compliance with UKVI requirements, as well as providing personal immigration support to high-net-worth individuals. Adrian Martin leads the employment team, while Megan Summers spearheads the business immigration practice, assisting in matters involving sponsor licences and duties and right to work requirements. Hannah Malone and Katie Hayes are key contacts, and Hayley Ainsworth joined from Willans LLP in August 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Adrian Martin
Autres avocats clés:
Megan Summers; Huw Cooke; Hannah Malone; Myra Leung; Katie Hayes; Hayley Ainsworth
Principaux clients
UK Atomic Energy Authority
The Royal Horticultural Society
The Crown Estate
Harding Brothers Retail Limited
Pure IP Limited
Fido Tech Limited
The Royal Armouries
University of Bristol
John Lewis Partnership
Horatio Investments Limited
Signet Jewelers Limited
ITM Power PLC
The Department for Education
Joseph Limited
ForgeRock Limited
Embark Group Limited
Exeter Friendly Society Limited
CNG Fuels Limited
Aura Power Developments Ltd
The Carbon Trust
UK Industrial Fusion Solutions
Principaux dossiers
- Providing the UK Atomic Energy Authority with strategic immigration advice in support of its wider recruitment strategy and operational needs, including providing advice across multiple jurisdictions in the context of multijurisdictional projects.
- Implementing immigration processes for The Crown Estate in respect of the recruitment and employment of overseas nationals, including support on sponsor duties and holding monthly surgeries with the organisation’s key personnel to advice on live immigration matters.
- Providing the Royal Horticultural Society with a comprehensive employment and immigration law service, including delivering training on recruitment and sponsorship of employees, as well as providing strategic and day-to-day immigration advice.
Stephens Scown LLP
The ‘excellent’ team at Stephens Scown LLP offers a dedicated immigration practice to a wide range of corporate and private clients operating in the South West. Lisa Mulholland is noted as ‘exceptionally knowledgeable’ in all aspects of immigration law, advising private individuals on visa applications under the points-based system, as well as assisting corporate clients on immigration compliance and due diligence matters. Abigail Grace is another key contact, with notable expertise in the charity sector.
Responsables de la pratique:
Lisa Mulholland
Autres avocats clés:
Abigail Grace
Les références
‘They are an excellent team of well-trained knowledgeable people that actually care for your needs.’
‘Lisa Mulholland is a brilliant person and exceptionally knowledgeable in her field.’
Willans LLP
With a team of ‘approachable experts’, the immigration practice at Willans LLP is recommended for its pragmatic assistance to clients across a wide range of industries and jurisdictions. Jenny Hawrot leads the employment and business immigration team, advising clients on sponsor licence applications, as well as the ongoing management of these licences and compliance matters. TUPE expert Simon Pathé joined in December 2024, while associate Klára Grmelová is highlighted for her ‘professionalism and a caring attitude’, harnessing expertise in the points-based system and sponsor duties. Former practice head Matthew Clayton now leads the governance and risk team. Hayley Ainsworth left the firm in July 2024.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jenny Hawrot; Matthew Clayton; Simon Pathé
Autres avocats clés:
Klára Grmelová
Les références
‘They have a friendly, personal feel. I would describe them as approachable experts.’
‘Knowledgeable in their fields and they provide pragmatic, well thought-out advice.’
‘Klara Grmelová’s knowledge is impressive and her availability is great and flexible. Willingness to help regardless of how complex the matter is and she delivers it with professionalism and a caring attitude.’
Principaux clients
Hazlewoods LLP
Kong International UK Limited
Redpanda Data EMEA Limited
Medilink Communications Ltd.
Stroud Care Services Limited
Kredo Consulting Limited
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted Medilink Communications Ltd. with successfully applying for a sponsor licence to sponsor a senior market analyst switching from a Graduate to a Skilled Worker visa.
- Supported Kong International UK Limited, a US-headquartered information technology company, in the management of its sponsor licence and sponsored migrant workforce.
- Providing ongoing assistance to Hazlewoods LLP with the management of its sponsor licence, including compliance and reporting duties, assigning certificates of sponsorship and using the Sponsor Management System.