Bates Wells > London, England > Firm Profile

‘Bates Wells is one of the top immigration firms in the country, and its reputation as an industry leader is very well deserved. The team always offers an excellent service in a wide range of complex personal immigration matters.’

‘Tim Barnden is fantastic and always a pleasure to work with. He puts his legal expertise, creativity, and empathy with clients to excellent use in achieving consistently brilliant results in complex cases. Alice Bennington is a superb addition to this specialist team with her friendly manner and attention to detail. She is showing great promise in this competitive field. Matthew James is an excellent immigration solicitor, offering a reliable and effective service to his clients.’

‘Tim Barnden is the star turn in a highly effective team dealing primarily with the inbound immigration needs of high net worth individuals, celebrities and sportspersons – including those facing sanctions or with criminal convictions and the employment visa needs of large businesses and charities. The team has a combined experience and expertise of many years and is effective at securing good results pre-litigation.’

‘Tim Barnden has particular expertise in serving the immigration needs of the LGBTQI community and has particular skill and sensitivity in representing non-traditional families in adoption and surrogacy, same-sex relationships, and naturalisation/citizenship matters. He has an informal, friendly exterior which he combines with laser focus on detail and unrivalled nous. He also has great contacts in the home office, which helps.‘

‘Tim Barnden is excellent. He is a strategic old hand at this, and has great judgment and client care.‘

‘Aisha Choudhry is knowledgeable on legal issues and has given us helpful guidance on some complex cases. She is quick to reply and will go out of her way to make sure applications are submitted on the timeline we had proposed.‘

‘Chetal Patel continues to support us in a helpful, efficient, and incredibly friendly and engaging manner.’

‘Potential clients should be assured that they will not only work with Tim or a senior member of the team but also at least one junior member, which ensures that emails and calls will be responded to promptly in the preparation of their case. They will also want to know that the team are very experienced in terms of making applications and the success rate on appeal is excellent. They are a leading private client firm in this area of work, and I personally refer clients to them for this reason.‘

‘Bates Wells has unrivalled knowledge of the charity sector and is the go to firm in the space of social investment and blended finance.’

‘This team is not only excellent at understanding charities and not-for-profits, they are at the forefront of the fast evolving field of social investment and purposeful business.’

‘Thea Longley – as team leader. Thea is very good at maintaining an overview of key issues we face, and signposting us to individuals with particular specialisms, as well as advising us directly when appropriate. Thea’s knowledge, experience and practical approach are very much appreciated’.

‘Luke Fletcher is a pleasure to work with. We have always found him accessible, eager to help and very practical in his solutions. He also has the big picture in mind’.

‘Augustus Della-Porta is both a lovely person and a brilliant lawyer’.

‘Oliver Hunt (Partner) has worked closely with us and understands our issues and concerns. He thinks “out of the box” on our behalf and takes the initiative’.

‘Lawrence Simanowitz – he has real technical and practical expertise in the field of charity law and much experience of dealing with the Charity Commission, as the main regulator. He is tenacious and thoughtful when confronted by difficult problems’.

‘Sung-Hyui Park, (Partner) is the stand out individual for all our work. She takes the time to listen, provides logical and easy to understand advice and then goes the extra mile to follow up to ensure all is clear.’

‘There is a depth of expertise and pragmatism when acting to secure clients’ interests and core values.’

‘Informed, professional, practical, ethical and supportive.’

‘Alistair Williams is very effective; great on the detail and political judgment.’

‘The firm is excellent, with very good all-round client skills. We like their expertise in this area of the law very much; and we would add that we like the way that they go “above and beyond” in understanding very specific legal concerns, and our slightly quirky modus operandi.’

‘Alistair Williams is an excellent communicator. He has been exceedingly helpful in various, very different, cases, especially judicial reviews, and is well versed in drafting court documents of great complexity, and in negotiating with opponents, in instructing the right sort of counsel, and in liaising between counsel and us.’

‘It is clear that the team have a veritable wealth of knowledge and experience in the public inquiry sector. The speed of communication is impressive and their friendly and approachable nature puts clients at ease.’

‘The Team immediately understood the organisation and brief, even before we met for the first time. Different members of the team were able to assist with different aspects of our requirement, and it felt like each individual was very knowledgeable on our organisation.’

‘We were very ably assisted by Jean Tsang. She always came to each meeting with great energy and knowledge on each topic we discussed.’

‘Exceptional team that is highly dynamic and forward thinking.’

‘Erica Crump is a standout performer who is passionate and aligned to client objectives.’

‘Very well researched on any area of law.’

‘The BW team has the specific knowledge and experience needed to deal with regulatory and disciplinary issues in the complex and somewhat specialised area of public sector audit and accountancy.’

‘Team members have very thorough knowledge of the issues and are capable of dealing with them in a practical way.’

‘Fast turnaround with good guidance that takes into account current law and precedence.’

‘Alistair Williams is very thorough and capable.’

‘Paul Jennings was absolutely fantastic – calm, empathetic and thoughtful in his case management.’

‘The team has high expertise and treats clients with empathy.’

‘Lucy McLynn provides excellent, thoughtful advice. She has good judgement on a range of issues, not just legal expertise. ’

‘The Team immediately understood the organisation and brief, even before we met for the first time. Different members of the team were able to assist with different aspects of our requirement, and it felt like each individual was very knowledgeable on our organisation.’

‘We were very ably assisted by Jean Tsang, who always came to each meeting with great energy and knowledge on each topic we discussed.’

‘More than any other firm I know, the Bates Wells team is highly committed to and steeped in the local government sector.’

‘Erica Crump is an outstanding partner for public sector work. She is highly technical, yet also incredibly practical and commercial. Erica has a particular skill in simplifying complex business problems and in finding innovative and sustainable solutions for the clients’ long term benefit.’

‘The team has very good knowledge and experience of the issues at play in local government, particularly in governance and audit. They apply that knowledge and experience to good effect to provide practical solutions.’

‘Alistair Williams is very thorough in his approach. This instils a lot of confidence in us that our published reports are robust and can withstand challenge.’

‘Erica Crump is a standout performer, passionate and aligned to client objectives.’

‘The team has a particularly strong understanding of charities and how they work.’

‘The team is always helpful, quick, clear, and genuinely cares about its clients.’

‘The Bates Wells trade mark attorneys are very adept at thinking outside the box when addressing complex or challenging trade mark issues. This type of thinking and approach is invaluable.’

‘The knowledge of the team is exceptional and the advice they provide is commercial and balanced. They pursue matters only if it is beneficial to the client.’

‘Catharina Waller’s advice is pragmatic, clear, comprehensive, and always contextually appropriate.’

‘Mathew Healy and Wendy Grey provide straightforward, commercial advice.’

‘Mathew Healy is always proactive, thinks outside the box, and genuinely cares about being proportionate and sensible whilst protecting clients.’

‘Mathew Healey is an invaluable source of expertise and advice for trademark challenges. He always provides thoughtful, practical, and agile advice, which is highly valued.’

‘We regularly work with the TMT team in Bates Wells and I consider that the team is extremely helpful, always available to assist us and my clients. They are all engaged and very clear. It’s very pleasant to work together.’

‘I appreciate a lot working with Richard Marke who knows exactly what I am looking for: availabilty, straight to the point, focused on the question raised by my clients. I have the utmost confidence in his judgement because he always says when he has a doubt and always looks for a solid operational solution.’

‘This practice has a wide range of expertise, and everyone I have dealt with has been knowledgeable and approachable with an uncomplicated approach to topics and issues. They take a practical approach and give you a straight answer.’

‘Bates Wells have a very collaborative approach when working with clients, giving the feeling of a very personal service.’

‘Jamie Huard provides a thoroughly comprehensive view of the most pertinent issues in a way which is incredibly easy to understand, with a commercial overlay to advice given.’

‘All levels of the team from Bates Wells are always available.’

‘Malcolm is very accessible and pragmatic in his approach, explaining the concepts and risks clearly and offering efficient solutions.’

‘A breadth of expertise and pre-eminent knowledge of the charity sector in particular.’

‘An incredibly pragmatic team of experts that can marry up commercial demands with the law and find solutions to sticky issues.’

‘Jamie Huard is a personable and highly knowledgeable lawyer who exercises initiative and thinks outside the box.’

‘Eleonor Duhs in particular with her background in government service has a strong insight into the policy background to both EU and UK GDPR and data protection reforms which enables her to describe the key changes and divergence between the two regimes with considerable critical accuracy.’

‘The team is attentive to our needs, understands our business and what makes us unique. Their advice is commercial and balances risk well.’

‘Hannah Lyons is great to work with and is always attentive to our needs, providing straightforward and practical advice.’

‘Bates Wells is extremely innovative and client-focused. The firm has a very clear identifiable vision about its role and values in delivering their services.’

‘Rupert Earle is an excellent lawyer – he’s very perceptive, knowledgeable and provides a wonderful calming presence in difficult situations.’

‘We have found the team at Bates Wells to be very approachable, quick to respond to queries and willing to take the time to discuss ways to explain complicated legal jargon to different audiences with less expertise.’

‘From our first contact with Ms Duhs, she has been extremely approachable and shown great enthusiasm to aid us in our dialogue with the government. She clearly and skillfully demonstrated her expansive expertise in legislation related to the EU as well as data protection, privacy and cybersecurity. We, therefore, highly recommend Ms Duhs as a legal expert.’

‘Bates Wells gives very practical and timely advice on privacy matters, in a manner that is understandable to non-experts.’

‘The team are all engaged and available. I have confidence in their work.’

‘Richard Marke is extremely helpful and very competent. He knows the market perfectly.’

‘The IT and telecoms team at Bates Wells always gives each client 100% of their focus and attention. When they support you, they become an extension of your team.’

‘Richard Marke is one of the best lawyers I have worked with. His technical legal knowledge is unparalleled and he is always vary calm and composed, but at the same time he can be very effective as a negotiator.’

‘Paul Jennings – very responsive, pragmatic and thoughtful. Considers practical business implications and is very solutions orientated.’

‘Lucy McLynn – high-level solutions orientated – problem solver with positive client focus.’

‘I have been very impressed with the team’s breadth of clients and sectors, both nationally and internationally. Their commitment, expertise and knowledge are second to none.’

‘Lucy McLynn is an incredibly committed, knowledgeable lead of the employment team. I value her pragmatism, commercialism, wide-ranging expertise and desire to find a solution. I can’t recommend her highly enough.’

‘The team has an outstanding reputation for working with charitable organisations. Team members have an in-depth knowledge of employment law and practice, and prepare for cases in a thorough and professional way, with a particular attention to detail.’

‘Attention to detail; knowledge of the law and collegiate working are particular strengths, along with approachability.’

‘Very knowledgeable in their sector – provided our charity with much-needed assurance.’

‘Rachel Mathieson and Lucy McLynn were two great individuals who helped put our minds at rest.’

‘A highly professional firm with 1st class service. Always willing to talk through new cases and offering common sense guidance.’

‘This is such a good organisation. It has personal client contact that knows the business, is innovative with solutions, is highly networked, able to understand complex issues and is fast to respond. This is, for us, an ideal legal firm for the complex world we inhabit.’

‘They are extremely personal, from the partners to the specific area staff. They are a multi-faceted team organisation that is a flat rather than hierarchical structure. They are humble yet experienced, calm and organised in their approach to complex issues. They are completely reliable on deadlines and targets.’

‘Bates Wells balance a commercial legal mindset, with the particular nuances of the management of property secured for charitable purposes, gifted in wills and requirements of the Charities Act.’

‘Sector knowledge is second to none.’

‘Good level of experience and knowledge on property/development finance. Pragmatic and practical advice. A good understanding of the client’s requirements.’

‘Good quality advice. Responsive and pragmatic.’

‘A highly professional firm with 1st class service. Always willing to talk through new cases and offering common sense guidance.’