Leading Partners

Next Generation Partners

Immigration in South West

Ashfords LLP

Ashfords LLP advises employers and individuals on right to work issues, including EU nationals’ right to reside and the points-based system, and also handles the immigration aspects of corporate transactions. The practice also stands out for its expertise in the tech, healthcare, and hospitality sectors alongside niche experience in marine and seafarer cases. Praised for her ‘exceptional blend of expertise, dedication, and client-focused approach’, team leader Kirsty Cooke assists on a wide array of recruitment, employment, and HR matters for regional and national clients. At the associate level, Laura Wonnacott is a key name with specialisms covering the marine sector as well as family visa applications.

Responsables de la pratique:

Kirsty Cooke


Autres avocats clés:

Ellen Parker; Laura Wonnacott


Les références

‘This practice distinguishes itself through its multidisciplinary team’s holistic approach, blending industry insight with innovative solutions tailored to each client’s needs. Clients benefit from the team’s diverse expertise, proactive problem-solving, and strategic thinking, fostering a collaborative partnership focused on achieving goals efficiently.’

‘The individuals I have the privilege to work with, particularly Kirsty Cooke, stand out due to their exceptional blend of expertise, dedication, and client-focused approach. Kirsty’s standout quality lies in her ability to combine deep industry knowledge with innovative thinking, consistently delivering tailored solutions that exceed client expectations.’

‘They understand our business model, how we operate and what our priorities and challenges are. Anytime we need support, the team from Ashfords is quick to answer and extremely helpful.’

Principaux clients

Capital Arches Group Limited


Ocado Group Limited


Nanusens Ltd


Rathlin Energy UK Ltd


The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust


JAAM Restaurants Ltd


Indegno UK Ltd


Laggan & Associates


70mph Limited


BECO Capital Limited


McDonald’s Franchisees


Principaux dossiers


  • Providing ongoing support to Royal Devon NHS Foundation Trust on all UK immigration issues including on right to work issues, Health and Care Worker visas and the immigration requirements following the recruitment of foreign qualified doctors and nurses.
  • Advising a large provider of care services to children on all UK immigration issues and recently carried out a comprehensive immigration compliance audit.
  • Providing ongoing support to Ocado Group Limited on all day-to-day immigration issues.

Burges Salmon LLP

Burges Salmon LLP assists FTSE 100 companies, public bodies, high-net-worth individuals and start-ups on the full range of immigration matters. The team stands out for its experience assisting with the recruitment of overseas nationals under skilled worker visas and visa applications under the points-based system; the group also has a strong track record across right to work matters, immigration audits, corporate transactions, sponsor licenses and sponsor duties. Located in Bristol, the practice is led by Adrian Martin, who has experience in contentious and non-contentious matters. Megan Summers leads the business immigration team, with Katie Hayes also being a central member of the group.

Responsables de la pratique:

Adrian Martin


Autres avocats clés:

Megan Summers; Katie Hayes;James Edmonds


Les références

‘The team at Burges Salmon are always so helpful to assist with any immigration queries we have. They make themselves readily available.’

‘Katie Hayes and James Edmonds are so helpful and go above and beyond to help my team with our immigration queries. They are diligent and thorough in their work and always make themselves available at short notice to help with difficult employment cases.’

Principaux clients

UK Atomic Energy Authority


Pure IP Limited


Fido Tech Limited


The Royal Horticultural Society


The Royal Armouries


Harding Brothers Retail Limited


Horatio Investments Limited


Signet Jewelers Limited


ITM Power PLC


The Crown Estate


Joseph Limited


ForgeRock Limited


Optegra UK Limited


Exeter Friendly Society Limited


CNG Fuels Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Providing the UK Atomic Energy Authority with strategic immigration advice in support of its wider recruitment strategy, including across multiple jurisdictions.
  • Advising Pure IP on all of its UK immigration requirements including advising on the illegal working regime, eligibility requirements, and sponsor license compliance.
  • Providing the Royal Horticultural Society on various immigration routes, delivering training and providing strategic and day-to-day immigration advice.

Stephens Scown LLP

Stephens Scown LLP‘s immigration practice is regularly instructed by companies and individuals for advice on post-Brexit working arrangements including skilled worker sponsor licenses, settlement status issues, deportations, and right to work matters. The team counts the healthcare, agriculture, and technology sectors among its areas of expertise. Lisa Mulholland, who is ‘very knowledgeable on all aspects of immigration', heads up the practice from Exeter, and handles an extensive range of immigration issues across regulatory, transactional and recruitment matters. She is supported by Abigail Grace, also based in the Exeter office.

Responsables de la pratique:

Lisa Mulholland


Autres avocats clés:

Abigail Grace


Les références

‘Second-to-none in the South West, with an emerging national presence and expertise specifically as providing a bespoke multi-departmental service to the social care sector, at a time of exceptional and demanding changes.’

‘Lisa Mulholland, Partner, heads the immigration team. Her client care skills are exceptional, specifically with those who are vulnerable and facing deportation. Her sharp eye provides an effective approach to litigation, and successful teamwork. Lisa is a pleasure to work with.’

‘Lisa Mulholland was a pleasure to work with. She was available and extremely helpful throughout the process.’

Willans LLP

Willans LLP is notably experienced in its support of businesses regarding the application and maintenance of sponsor licences, business visit visas, and compliance training for employers. In particular, the practice is noted for its assistance to several US-headquartered technology companies, and also acts for clients in the care, retail, and manufacturing sectors. The business immigration team is led by Matthew Clayton, who is highly experienced in a blend of employment, business immigration, and data protection matters. Associate solicitor Hayley Ainsworth is a key contact for sponsor duties and compliance issues, with further experience in the points-based system and Expansion Worker visas. Klára Grmelová is another key name.

Responsables de la pratique:

Matthew Clayton


Autres avocats clés:

Hayley Ainsworth; Klára Grmelová


Les références

‘This is an excellent team who really want to understand what their clients’ needs are and then go about doing everything they possibly can. I am 100% recommending them to everyone I speak to.’

‘My prime contact was Hayley Ainsworth associate solicitor. The whole process was very good from the explanation of the application process, the guidance in gathering the required documentation and then the assistance whilst making the application online, to ensure no errors were made and the correct supporting documentation was compiled and submitted.’

‘Hayley Ainsworth is an excellent solicitor and she helped me immeasurably. I am very grateful for everything that she did for me and I will continue to use her whenever I have any immigration needs.’

Principaux clients

Avon Metals Limited


Hydro Aluminium UK Ltd


Kong International UK Limited


Hazlewoods LLP


Good Sustainable Retail Limited


Pentadel Project Management Limited


Rivos Systems UK Limited


Martha Trust (Hereford) Limited


Caring for Communities and People


Schmidt Group UK Ltd


AppZen UK Ltd


Rakuten Symphony UK Ltd


Astreya Limited


Lorfords Ltd


Kore Software Ltd


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted Avon Metals Ltd, a metals manufacturer, with making a successful sponsor licence application under the skilled worker route, including adding an additional branch.
  • Providing ongoing support to Hydro Aluminium UK Ltd on the management of its sponsor licence and sponsorship of skilled workers.
  • Supporting Kong International UK Limited, a US-headquartered information technology company, with the management of its sponsor licence and sponsored migrant workforce.