The Legal 500

Legal Developments in the UK

• Immigration Minister proposes new visa fees

  Immigration Minister Damian Green has proposed an increase in visa fees in addition to an increase in application fees for UK-based visas. The changes are likely to come into force from 6 April 2012, providing they receive parliamentary approval. In his written ministerial statement, Damian Green commented: 'It is only fair that those who use and benefit from the immigration system contribute a higher share of the cost of running it - reducing the burden on the UK taxpayer.'
  - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

• Damian Green outlines Government plans for a 'selective' immigration system

  Immigration Minister Damian Green has reinforced the Government's plans to create a selective and sustainable immigration system which encourages the brightest and best to come to the UK.
  - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

• Revisions to the rules for tier 1 investors and entrepreneurs?

  There are a number of aspects of the rules for tier 1 investors and entrepreneurs that are unclear or unnecessarily restrictive and we have been in extensive dialogue for many months now with the UKBA on a range of issues, both policy and technical.
  - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

• No substitute for experience

  If there is one part of the Localism Act 2011 about which local government lawyers have considerable concerns, it is the new standards regime.
  - 11KBW

• CONSULTATION AND LEGITIMATE EXPECTATIONS

  Clive Sheldon QC
  - 11KBW

• Changes to list of approved English language tests are made by the UKBA

  It has been announced by the UKBA that the list of approved English language tests for those individuals applying under tiers 1,2 and 4 of the points based system has been amended. One of the main changes is the lowering of the TOEFL points score against the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). TOEFL now includes scores for spouse and partner applications.
  - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

• Important information about London 2012 released by the UKBA

  Important information about the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games has been published online by the UKBA. With the UKBA expecting to carry out security checks on more than 380,000 workers and participants, it has set out detailed information for those individuals who will be travelling to the UK for the event. The information is divided into the following categories:
  - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

• Premium sponsorship for tier 2 and tier 2 and 4 sponsors

  As reported in our November 2011 Update the UKBA is planning to introduce a 'premium sponsor' category and we expect that this will be in April 2012.
  - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

• Arts Council England introduces new procedure for tier 1 (exceptional talent) applicants

  From 3 January 2012, individuals applying under tier 1 (exceptional talent) of the points based system will need to follow new guidelines if they wish to have their application endorsed by Arts Council England (ACE).
  - Penningtons Solicitors LLP

• The UKBA contacts tier 2 sponsors regarding COS allowances

  The UKBA has been contacting authorised officers at tier 2 sponsors in relation to the new certificate of sponsorship allowance which will become effective from 6 April 2012. Any COS issued from that date will come from the new allocation.
  - Penningtons Solicitors LLP