The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > London > Immigration

A Y & J Solicitors has a 'very passionate team which is committed to ensuring that it provides high-quality representation to individuals and businesses'. The specialist immigration firm handles a range of matters including sponsorship, appeals and complex immigration challenges, acting for high-net-worth individuals seeking investment and entrepreneurial visas. The team assists Tier 2 and Tier 5 sponsor licence holders, and also advises on sponsor licence applications and renewals. It also advises on licence suspensions and revocations. Clients are drawn from sectors including IT, financial services, hotels and retail, and sports. Managing director Yash Dubal and Diana Elena Todirica are praised as having 'exquisite legal minds'.

Baker McKenzie's global immigration and mobility team is regularly engaged by multinational companies on a broad range of issues, and is well-versed in advising on the cross-border movement of talent at all levels. The practice handles complex matters such as the movement of board directors, specialist staff, other senior executives, and their dependants. It is also instructed by high-net-worth individuals, well-known musicians, actors, sports personalities and leading businesspeople. The London team is able to draw on the wider firm's global network of offices, and its wider employment team, to support clients on cross-border strategies. 'Impressive' senior associate Tony Haque is the key member of the London team.

Bates Wells' immigration team is 'outstanding'; it 'offers a very high level of service' and it is 'particularly good at providing holistic advice'. For business immigration, the team - which is led by Chetal Patel and features the 'eminent' Philip Trott - is instructed by major businesses and charities, and it is also experienced in handling immigration matters for high-net-worth individuals and well-known celebrities. In an example of its charity sector experience, the team advises Climate Policy Initiative on the recruitment of sponsored workers and on sponsor licence obligations and duties. The firm also advises on a raft of personal immigration matters, where Tim Barnden heads the team. Here, the team regularly advises on complex personal immigration matters, and handles cases which engage Article 8 of the ECHR, the right to private and family life. It also handles asylum and other protection claims for individuals and charities. Barnden is noted for his experience in handling applications by couples and families, LGBT applicants, and handles refugee cases. Senior associate Katie Dilger handles a range of personal immigration instructions and is 'attentive and responsive at all turns'.

BDB Pitmans advises large corporates and SME clients on a broad range of immigration matters, including sponsorship duties, right to work checks and applications. The team also advises entrepreneurs, investors and their families on visas and relocation to the UK. The team is also engaged on immigration work relating to acquisitions, disposals, reorganisations and outsourcing. Its client base spans the professional services, hospitality, medical and charity sectors. The team also acts for individuals and private clients on a broad range of immigration matters and can offer estate and tax planning advice as part of its service.

Bindmans LLP has a 'fantastic' immigration team, which handles a range of asylum and nationality law mandates. The team is active across asylum and human rights cases and is experienced in appeals, judicial reviews, extradition law, citizenship applications, detention, bail and deportation matters. The team has a strong track record in representing children subject to immigration control, and representing victims of trafficking and other vulnerable clients. Advising on immigration issues in adoption and surrogacy cases and advising family members of British and settled people are also key areas of focus. On the business immigration side, the team is instructed by a number of NGOs, charities and unions, and it also acts for SMEs and individuals. The team has been advising a number of clients on EEA matters, where the team has in-depth experience. The team is also well-versed in Turkish Ankara Agreement cases. Alison Stanley is experienced in complex asylum cases with an extradition cross-over element and also advises high-net-worth individuals on Tier 1 (Investor) applications. Liz Barratt is experienced in nationality matters and cases involving questions of deprivation and nullity of British citizenship. Recommended associates include Roberta Haslam, who handles a range of asylum, deportation and nationality work and is noted for her experience in advising children in care and care leavers on immigration matters; Ashley Fleming, who is experienced in EU law and is regularly engaged on asylum cases; and Emma Cohen, who is experienced in cases involving children, adoption, surrogacy and dependant relatives.

Bird & Bird LLP is focused on business immigration and global mobility matters which include cross-border compliance projects, sponsor licence and Tier 2 applications and contingency planning for corporate clients and individuals. It recently advised a multinational Chinese chain on immigration issues relating to its expansion into the UK. The team also handles bespoke visa applications for exceptional talent, entrepreneurs and investors. Associate Yuichi Sekine is the UK department head and is ably supported by associate Jonathan Goldsworthy.

Bishop & Sewell LLP predominantly focuses on human rights and family cases, and the team also regularly advises on PBS applications for high-net-worth individuals and organisations. It regularly handles public law challenges, appeals and complex nationality cases. It offers specialist experience in cases involving international adoption and surrogacy cases, and the team is also instructed by local authorities to advise on the immigration status of children in care.

Boutique immigration offering Bonheur Legal is instructed by corporate, professional services and high-net-worth clients on a range of immigration issues. It is engaged by clients across the UK, Europe and Asia on inbound UK and European immigration work, and the team offers specialist advice on inbound and outbound African immigration issues. The team advises on global migration planning, employee transfers and company relocations, and also acts for investors and entrepreneurs.

The team at Carter Thomas Solicitors has an 'excellent mix of 'real world', practical knowledge, in addition to an in-depth understanding of the regulations, policies, and processes affecting immigration issues'. The team, which is led by Nichola Carter, is regularly engaged on the provision of sponsor licences for education providers and businesses and is experienced in advising on enforcement action taken by UK Visas and Immigration and on complex applications. The team also advises individuals on Tier 1 Exceptional Talent, Entrepreneur and Investor visas, and is increasingly advising on Innovator and Start-up visas. Carter is 'superlative in dealing with business immigration and sponsor licence issues in particular' and is noted for her experience in advising universities and schools. The team recently advised a leading independent school which had its sponsor licence suspended, and was successful in ensuring the licence was reinstated. Carter also advises high-net-worth individuals. Associates Nick Gore, Jessica Walker and Ruth Jowett are other key members of the team.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP handles a spread of immigration work for both individuals and corporate clients. The team is instructed by a raft of high-profile multinational clients on PBS and non-PBS matters, and also utilises its international presence to handle complex immigration issues, often advising Chinese and Russian clients. It is also increasingly acting for US nationals and is instructed by a growing number of start-ups. Advising high-net-worth individuals on personal immigration issues is also a key focus of the department. Team head Rose Carey has a 'wealth of experience' of advising financial services sector clients and handles a raft of sponsor compliance issues. Senior associate Paul McCarthy is experienced in business and personal immigration work; he advises on various PBS visa categories and has advised clients on applications for Tier 2 sponsor licences.

Clintons is regularly instructed by corporate clients in the media, entertainment, technology, advertising and marketing sectors on a range of immigration issues. The team receives plaudits for its UK and US immigration expertise; it has 'in-depth knowledge and expertise of US immigration law'. The team advises on transatlantic transfers in the entertainment sector; it advised on US visas for the creative team of a West End musical for its transfer to Broadway and a US tour. The practice also works with entrepreneurs, start-ups, creative agencies, multinational companies and high-net-worth individuals.

Clyde & Co LLP's business immigration offering is regularly engaged by multinational corporate clients on global mobility issues and in relation to corporate restructurings, acting for clients across a number of sectors, with particular experience in the oil, gas and insurance sectors. It also advises senior executives. The team is led by Jonathan Chaimovic - described as 'an expert in his field' - and is able to draw on the international firm's global footprint to handle cross-border issues.

Immigration boutique DavidsonMorris is instructed by multinational companies and UK-based businesses and organisations, as well as business owners and management executives on a range of immigration issues. Clients are drawn from sectors including tech, leisure, hospitality, food, retail, design, education, sports, energy and financial services sectors on global mobility matters, compliance, risk management and applications, and the team is also noted for its experience in challenging Home Office civil penalty fines. The firm, which is led by 'expert' managing director Anne Morris, acts as retained legal advisers to clients including online furniture retailer Made.com and the Gordon Ramsay Group.

Doyle Clayton's business immigration department is regularly instructed by multinationals, SMEs and high-net-worth individuals on a range of immigration issues. The team, which is led by Anita de Atouguia, is adept at handling global mobility projects for businesses and the team is experienced in handling sponsor licence applications, Tier 2 applications and Tier 5 applications. It is also experienced in advising on Tier 4 sponsor licenses. The firm also advises on non-points based applications, such as applications for ILR, British citizenship and EEA matters. The firm acts for a range of clients across the education, legal, recruitment, manufacturing, advertising, technology, media and pharmaceutical sectors.

The team at Druces LLP works closely with the firm's private client, tax and international wealth team, as well as the corporate team to advise on Tier 1 and Tier 2 work, covering entrepreneurs, investors, exceptional talent and companies bringing skilled migrants into the UK. It also advises on spousal visas, commonwealth ancestral visas and sole representatives of overseas companies, as well as citizenship, registration and naturalisation.

Duncan Lewis Solicitors houses an 'extremely large and effective team of lawyers where all aspects of immigration and asylum law are covered.' The firm has a large judicial review claimant practice, representing vulnerable claimants on immigration and civil liberties. It is well-versed in personal immigration, asylum, human rights and nationality law. The firm handles a significant portion of publicly funded work, handling a range of issues such as detention, bail, deportation, appeals and EC law. The team offers specialist expertise in representing vulnerable clients, such as victims of torture or trafficking, on asylum and detention-related matters, and is regularly engaged on politically sensitive cases. The team is also instructed by high-net-worth individuals on PBS applications and appeals. The business immigration team is instructed by SME clients on PBS matters, sponsorship licence applications and it also represents high-net-worth individuals on Tier 1 entrepreneur and investor visas. Director Toufique Hossain is an 'inspirational leader' and has developed a 'very talented and committed team'.

Edwin Coe LLP is instructed by a range of high-net-worth individuals, investors, entrepreneurs, employees and businesses on immigration issues. It is experienced in handling sponsor licence work, Tier 1 entrepreneur and investor applications. The team, which is led by Dhruti Thakrar, also handles nationality applications and immigration appeals. The team operates closely with the firm's corporate, private client and employment departments to provide a full service to clients.

Fladgate LLP's team, which 'provides a holistic service and thinks outside of the box', acts for high-net-worth individuals, their families and their businesses on a range of immigration issues. The practice has particular expertise in complex and exceptional applications; it is instructed on complex ILR applications and handles applications for naturalisation where the residence requirement is not met. Other areas of expertise include advising politically exposed persons and well-known individuals on political asylum claims, extradition and Interpol Red Notices. The team is also adept at handling extension applications for Investor and Entrepreneur visas. Key lawyers in the team include 'breath of fresh air' Sarah Gogan and the 'excellent' Kelly Whiter.

Fletcher Day's immigration offering is 'professional, responsive and possesses strong technical abilities'. The team demonstrates particular expertise in advising individual clients on the entrepreneur visa route, and is also experienced in advising high-net-worth individuals on investor applications. Corporate clients also turn to the practice for advice on sponsor licences, including companies across the fashion, consultancy, financial services and dentistry sectors.

Fox Williams LLP acts for SMEs and individuals, spanning the energy, technology, financial services, media and education sectors, on a range of business immigration instructions. It is regularly engaged on sponsorship licence applications, ILR applications, Tier 2 PBS applications; and the team advises on all aspects of the Immigration Rules. It is instructed by a number of private schools on Tier 2 and Tier 5 applications, and also advises on sponsor licence issues. The team, which is led by Sacha Schoenfeld, is also engaged on nationality-related applications.

Freeths LLP handles a range of immigration work for corporate, individual and high-net-worth clients; ranging from entrepreneurs to multinational clients. The team regularly advises on right to work, compliance audits and advises clients on preventing and challenging civil penalties. It also handles sponsor licence applications and management issues and advises on suspended and revoked licences. The education, care, manufacturing, cyber, sports. technology, logistics and leisure sectors are key areas of focus. The team operates closely with the firm's corporate department to advise on the immigration implications of transactions. Tom Bradford, who previously worked at the Home Office, is the key partner in London.

Gherson is a specialist immigration, nationality, extradition and human rights offering which stands out for its ability to advise on complex asylum and human rights cases. The team is well-versed in domestic and international extradition proceedings, asylum claims, human rights-based applications, appeals and it is particularly adept at handling politically sensitive cases. On the business side, the team is instructed by entrepreneurs, private clients and multinational corporations. Firm founder Roger Gherson has a 'fantastic reputation'.

Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors provides an 'exceptional service' to its clients. Human rights, appeals and overstay work is a key focus of the practice, including appeals and cases involving asylum, European free movement, nationality law and unlawful detention. It is also experienced in judicial review applications. On the business immigration side, the team is able to advise individuals and corporate clients on all aspects of the visa and employer sponsorship process. The team acts for several sports sector clients as well as a number of start-ups. Consultant solicitor Bernard Andonian is a 'fountain of knowledge and experience', while legal director Fadi Farhat, who is an 'expert', heads the appeals and public law team. Managing partner Dave Vasoodaven is strong on human rights and EEA law.

Healys LLP acts for high-net-worth individuals in the sports, music, theatre, films and entertainment industries, advising on complex personal immigration matters and concessions outside of the rules, refusals, deportations and judicial reviews and ILR applications. It also handles family-related issues and is experienced in cases involving international adoption and surrogacy. The team also advises UK universities on student visas and acts for companies on sponsorship licence matters.

Irwin Mitchell's immigration department is regularly engaged by high-net-worth individuals on complex immigration mandates, working closely with the firm's international tax, trust and property experts to provide a full service. SMEs and corporate clients are also a key focus where the team is instructed by clients across the finance, manufacturing, construction and IT sectors. Department head Philip Barth, who joined in October 2018 from Withers LLP, has brought 'exceptional experience', particularly in advising high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals on complex immigration and citizenship cases. Barth is noted for his extensive expertise in handling Tier 1 (Investor) mandates.

Kerman & Co is instructed by a range of corporate clients for UK immigration matters; the practice is noted for its sports sector expertise, while it is also active in sectors including financial services, IT, legal, recruitment, healthcare and architecture. The team also offers advice to private clients, advising on nationality issues as well as Tier 1 applications. Practice head Stephen Hall joined in January 2018 from Kingsley Napley LLP.

Kingsley Napley LLP is 'very capable of covering the spectrum of immigration law; from business to asylum, including family and private life applications'; and the team is 'always very willing to go above and beyond to provide the best service'. The team acts for a variety of clients across the legal, professional services, financial services, sports, media, entertainment, education, technology and energy sectors on business immigration matters. It also advises entrepreneurs, investors, high-net-worth individuals and high-profile individuals on complex immigration matters. Nicolas Rollason and the 'outstanding' Elspeth Guild are European immigration law experts, while Marcia Longdon is experienced in advising both corporate and private clients on the immigration rules, the PBS and discretionary applications and has a growing practice acting for clients in the creative and entertainment sectors. Ilda De Sousa handles British nationality applications, appeals, judicial reviews and applications under European Law, and also assists employers on Tier 2 or Tier 5 sponsor registrations and handles compliance issues. The firm also handles a raft of asylum, human rights and overstay work and is involved in a number of appeals and judicial reviews. The team is noted for its experience in complex family applications involving surrogacy and adoption. Senior associates Katie Newbury, who heads the private client immigration team, and Kim Vowden, who is experienced in advising financial, media and technology sector clients on business immigration, are also key members of the team.

Laura Devine Immigration is a 'very high-quality boutique practice. with a huge amount of experience; it is a go-to firm for difficult personal and business immigration issues'. On the business immigration front, the firm is strong on UK and US matters, which is enhanced by its New York office, and is instructed by a raft of corporate clients, start-ups and executives. The team works alongside HR teams on sponsor licence management, compliance training, audit services, and supports clients on a raft of immigration issues. Managing partner Laura Devine is a 'leading expert on immigration law'; while senior partner Sophie Barrett-Brown - 'the master of legal detail' - heads the UK practice; and Natasha Chell is head of risk and compliance. Senior solicitors Nicolette Bostock, who is 'very efficient', and Francesca Sciberras, who is 'extremely thorough' are also key figures. The firm's 'outstanding' appeals and human rights practice, which is led by senior solicitor Malini Skandachanmugarasan, handles a variety of work which includes advising on overstay, and matters involving separated families, elderly dependants and incapacitated applicants. It also handles high-profile asylum claims for individuals, and the team is experienced in advising politically exposed individuals.

The 'first-rate' team at Lewis Silkin LLP handles both personal and business immigration mandates, advising clients including multinational corporates, start-ups and high-net-worth individuals across sectors including financial services, fashion, media, entertainment, retail and sports. The team is increasingly advising clients with an established or growing presence in the Asia Pacific region, working with its Hong Kong office to provide an integrated service. Its China desk advises clients doing business in the UK and advised a multinational business group which links Chinese companies with UK businesses on a successful appeal against the Home Office's decision to revoke its sponsor licence. The firm's Japanese desk is able to support its client base of several Japanese multinational companies. The team also operates closely with the firm's employment team to provide a full service to its clients. Andrew Osborne handles personal and business immigration work and is noted for his sports sector expertise.

Macfarlanes LLP has a 'brilliant' business immigration offering, which is instructed by start-ups, SMEs, international corporations and higher education institutions on a range of UK immigration issues. The firm's work includes advising companies, senior executives and their families on inbound and outbound immigration matters, sponsor licence issues and nationality applications. The team has recently assisted a number of companies on issues arising from non-compliance with Tier 2 of the PBS. It is also able to advise on immigration matters relating to corporate transactions and works closely with the firm's employment team to advise on employee-related issues.

Specialist business immigration outfit Magrath Sheldrick LLP has long-established experience of advising clients in the financial services sector; it is regularly engaged by major banks on a raft of immigration and global mobility issues. The team is also instructed by a number of ultra-high net worth individuals and household-name media and entertainment personalities. Senior partner Chris Magrath has a focus on UK and US immigration matters, while managing partner Ben Sheldrick stands out for his experience in advising clients in the financial services sector. Alfreda Joubert is experienced in acting for private clients, while Zulaykha Bhaijee primarily works with corporate clients.

Based across the national firm's Norwich and Birmingham offices, the team at Mills & Reeve LLP handles immigration matters for businesses, private clients and education sector clients. Its client base also includes organisations across the commercial, health, charity and sports sectors. The team has recently been engaged by several universities, NHS Trusts and other organisations to advise on issues relating to EU national staff following the Brexit referendum. The team also handles visa applications and compliance issues. The team is led out of Norwich by principal associate Alex Russell, who 'provides a fantastic service'.

Mishcon de Reya LLP has an 'outstanding reputation' for immigration work; it is 'very skilled at dealing with difficult immigration and nationality issues'; and the team has 'first-rate legal skills, but unrivalled client care skills'. The business immigration team acts for high-net-worth individuals and corporate clients, which are active across the financial, creative, media, technology, sports and fashion industries. The team is regularly engaged on sponsor licence applications, right to work checks, Home Office compliance, entrepreneur and innovator applications and representatives of overseas business visa applications. It is experienced in advising on exceptional applications for naturalisation and complex ILR applications. The team also offers human rights, asylum and deportation expertise; it defends clients against extradition requests and is engaged on contentious immigration issues for clients in the Middle East, Russia and China. Judicial review claims, human rights and asylum claims are a key part of the practice. Team head Kamal Rahman is the 'absolute master of client care'; she is ably supported by Steven Bostock, Maria Patsalos , managing associate Hannah Barnett and associate Matt Ingham.

The London team at US firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP delivers a 'very personalised service', advising on global immigration strategies, relocations and visa applications. The practice focuses on UK and EMEA matters for clients in the media, technology and entertainment sectors, and is also engaged by financial services sector clients such as banks, asset managers, hedge funds and insurance brokers. It regularly manages UK, US and global immigration programmes and advises on immigration issues relating to corporate transactions and reorganisations. Its UK immigration experience includes sponsorship applications, Tier 2 and Tier 5 applications, visitor visas, employers’ duties and compliance under the PBS. It is also able to handle personal applications where it acts for entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals. In an example of its media sector expertise, the team advised Cameron Mackintosh Limited on the immigration strategy for the European tour of Miss Saigon, which required advising on UK immigration law and exit permits for Filipino nationals. The team also secured a number of German work permits for the tour’s performances in Cologne. The team is led by the 'outstanding' Nicholas Hobson, who is admitted as both a solicitor in England and Wales and as a legal consultant in New York.

OTS Solicitors handles a raft of immigration work; it is consistently praised for its 'professional approach' and its 'vast experience'. The team handles a range of human rights and family life cases, and is also involved in deportation and asylum claims, judicial reviews, ILR and EEA applications and nationality cases. The team has recently been engaged on a number of Windrush generation cases and is also experienced in cases involving trafficking and children. On the business immigration side, the team regularly handles matters relating to investor, entrepreneur and innovator visas, sponsorship licences, illegal working compliance, global migration planning and employee transfers.

Payne Hicks Beach's citizenship and immigration department is 'always client-focused and is commercially oriented to deliver the best possible result'. It stands out for its ability to advise ultra-high-net-worth and high-net-worth individuals on Tier 1 investor and entrepreneur applications. It is also adept at advising overseas companies on establishment in the UK and handles sponsor licence issues for businesses, particularly in the fashion, financial services and not-for-profit sectors. With skills in handling complex instructions, often with a human rights element, the team has recently been involved in several complex judicial review challenges. Team head Kathryn Bradbury gives 'clear and realistic advice; she is hugely organised and is never flustered'.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP's business immigration team works with corporates, start-ups, investors, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals, and while it has a particular focus on the education sector, it is also adept at advising clients across the retail, finance, sports, technology, creative and private wealth sectors. It works closely with the firm's corporate, commercial and employment teams to provide a thorough service for its clients, and is regularly engaged on crisis management advice to businesses and education sector clients when sponsor licences are under threat. The team provides various university clients and multinational corporations with support for EU national employees. The team also offers specialist human rights, appeals and overstay advice where it advises on complex applications and cases involving surrogacy and adoption. Department head Pat Saini is 'very experienced' and is strong in the education sector. Saini is ably supported by Hazar El-Chamaa, who heads the firm's private wealth immigration team. Senior associate May Cheung and associate Adam Cotterill are also recommended.

PwC LLP’s London immigration team works with an impressive roster of big-name corporates, providing a global service which draws on the wider firm’s tax and employment capabilities and huge international footprint to provide an integrated offering for multinational clients. The practice is now jointly led by Lindsey Barras and Sharan Kundi, who were promoted to the partnership in 2019. Key clients are drawn from sectors including financial services, manufacturing, technology and education, while the team - which has particular expertise in business travellers and the Posted Workers Directive - also includes a private client practice.

Boutique firm RLegal Solicitors, which provides an 'outstanding quality of service to its clients', specialises in UK immigration and nationality law. It is instructed by SME clients and multinational corporates on sponsorship licence and compliance matters. It also acts for high-net-worth individuals on investment-based entry into the UK. The team is also noted for its experience in human rights cases, family migration issues and nationality applications. It is experienced in challenging refusals via appeals and judicial reviews. Founding partner David Robinson is described as 'an absolute goldmine of information'.

Russell-Cooke LLP's business immigration team regularly advises national and multinational businesses on the immigration implications of complex and high-value transactions. The team is also able to advise on complex sponsor license issues; it is regularly engaged in cases where sponsor licences have been revoked or are under threat and the team is noted for its education sector expertise. The team is also engaged by high-net-worth, ultra-high net worth and professional foreign nationals on Investor and Entrepreneur visas. The team also handles a raft of human rights, appeals and overstay mandates; the team advises on complex issues and has a growing reputation for sensitive adoption cases and is also advises families and individuals facing complex immigration issues. Senior associate Nisha Patel leads on personal immigration work for individual clients and is experienced in complex appeals, spousal visa applications and applications outside of the immigration rules. The 'experienced' Edward Wanambwa heads the team.

The team at Squire Patton Boggs, which is led by UK business immigration head Annabel Mace, works with global businesses and ultra-high net worth individuals on a range of complex immigration mandates, covering sectors including sports, media, retail, food, construction, pharma, manufacturing and financial services. The practice is able to draw on the wider firm's international network of offices, as well as its strengths in employment, to advise on global transfers, global mobility issues and cross-border instructions. In particular, the team has seen an increase in work from China-based entities and it is also well-placed to handle immigration matters for Indian and US clients.

Sterling Law advises on all types of UK visa and sponsor licence issues for a range of corporate and individual clients. The team is adept at handling PBS applications, which includes advice on sponsored migrants, highly skilled migrants, entrepreneurs and investors. The team is also able to advise on human rights-related cases at initial application and appeal levels, and has experience in a variety of other cases including asylum, protection and family reunion cases. Ruslan Kosarenko is praised for his abilities as a 'dynamic problem-solver'.

The immigration team at Taylor Wessing LLP operates closely with the firm's employment, private wealth and tax experts to advise corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals on a range of immigration issues. The team is also well-placed to advise on the immigration aspects of corporate transactions and restructuring mandates; it is able to utilise the firm's international presence to advise on complex immigration instructions for multinational clients.

Travers Smith LLP's business immigration team works closely with the firm's employment team to advise on a rage of matters for clients in sectors including financial services, media, leisure, pharma, manufacturing and retail. The practice's expertise includes advising on immigration sponsorship licences and related compliance issues, and the full spectrum of work visas. The team also handles immigration issues relating to restructurings and other corporate transactions. The banking and financial services sector is a key focus for the team, which advises Metro Bank on all business immigration issues.

Vanessa Ganguin Immigration Law handles a full range of US and UK immigration work for business clients as well as individuals. Its corporate client base covers the entertainment, tech, luxury goods, finance, media and sports sectors, and the team is instructed by high-profile figures and high-net-worth individuals. It is regularly engaged on sponsor licences, Tier 2 and Tier 1 applications, and also advises on family applications, European free movement and nationality matters. The team is also experienced in human rights work. Vanessa Ganguin founded and heads the firm, overseeing business immigration and is also experienced in human rights cases.

Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP is described as 'one of the best immigration law firms, with highly knowledgeable and well-respected lawyers'. It specialises in immigration, asylum and nationality law and the team is regularly involved in cases involving human rights, civil liberties and European free movement issues. The team predominantly acts for individuals, but also advises corporations, partnerships, religious orders and charities. Senior partner Wesley Gryk, who has a 'formidable reputation', regularly handles complex cases and is noted for his experience in cases involving LGBTQ+ rights. Barry O’Leary is experienced in applications based on partnership and family and in relation to international surrogacy arrangements, while he also handles asylum and human rights claims based on sexual identity. Alison Hunter is experienced in European free movement and is an expert in adoption matters. Diana Baxter is active across nationality and asylum law matters and has particular experience in complex nationality work and Appendix FM applications, as well as applications based on Article 8 rights. The firm is considered 'the Rolls-Royce of the immigration market, whether for complex asylum claims or immigration applications for private clients'.

Wilson Solicitors LLP is a 'go-to firm' for complex immigration work, and is regularly involved in cases involving human rights, overstay, nationality and security issues. The firm undertakes a significant proportion of legal aid work, and also represents private clients. It stands out for its experience in detention work and appeals, and the team is adept at handling cases involving international adoptions, surrogacy and sensitive cases involving children. Senior partner Michael Hanley is well versed across immigration and asylum law, and he is experienced in deportation work and cases involving complex family issues. Matthew Davies - 'an undisputed leader in this area of law' - heads the immigration team and specialises in advising individuals on complex immigration matters.

Withers LLP acts for corporate clients and employers on a range of immigration issues. It is regularly engaged on sponsorship applications and compliance issues. The team is also instructed by high-net worth individuals and well-known personalities on personal immigration matters. Tracy Evlogidis heads the London practice.

Andrew Tingley joined Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP from Kingsley Napley LLP in November 2018, to spearhead its immigration offering. Working closely with the firm's private client and employment teams, the newly established immigration department is well-placed to advise corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals on complex immigration issues. Tingley is experienced in advising professional services and third sector clients, as well as SME start-ups, entrepreneurs and high-net worth-individuals on complex and sensitive immigration mandates.