Gherson LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Gherson LLP Offices
17a-19 Harcourt Street
LONDON
W1H 4HF
England
Gherson LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Employment > Immigration: human rights Tier 1
Gherson LLP has a highly knowledgeable practice in complex immigration applications and appeals and is ‘one of the leading firms for high-net-worth individuals facing immigration proceedings and international criminal matters‘. The group advises on all aspects of UK, European and international human rights and refugee law, including asylum appeals, judicial review applications and challenges against exclusion orders. It also has unique capabilities handling claims arising out of European and UK sanctions regulations. The practice is led by ‘powerhouse‘ Roger Gherson
and the ‘exceptionally bright and phenomenally hardworking‘ Charles Burnett, who are industry leaders in cases involving political persecution and regularly act in cases that are complex, multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplinary. Amalia Gherson's practice involves a broad range of complex immigration appeals, judicial reviews, such as exclusion orders, and cases that sit at the intersection of immigration law and sanctions regulations. Alfred Gherson is an international protection expert and also advises on a broad range of complex asylum matters. Michelina Di Leo, who advises on issues such as asylum, extradition and cases involving INTERPOL, and Michael Ventom, who has extensive experience with complex asylum, are also noteworthy practitioners.
Practice head(s):
Roger Gherson; Charles Burnett
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Ghersons is one of the leading firms for high-net-worth individuals facing immigration proceedings and international criminal matters, including sanctions and extradition. They are a dedicated and hardworking team, with significant experience.’
‘Charles Burnett is an outstanding partner. He is exceptionally bright and phenomenally hardworking and committed to his clients. He is always on top of the work and deadlines and is excellent at managing a team.’
‘Roger Gherson is a powerhouse, who continues to go from strength to strength. If you are a client with a complex, politically sensitive case that engages geopolitics, and you need international protection, then there is still no better person to go to than Roger Gherson.’
‘Charles Burnett has a calm, intellectual focus, but that is combined with a well-refined understanding of the tactical and procedural matters which are essential for any lawyer acting against the Home Office. Charles is steadily rising to the top of the pile when it comes to handling complex, politically sensitive protection cases.’
‘This firm does the full spread of immigration, asylum and nationality work – but also links that to extradition cases, cases under sanctions legislation (SAMLA 2018) and Investor Treaty cases. In this regard it is doing highly innovative work.’
‘Roger Gherson consistently opposes injustices, is innovative in doing so, and indefatigable in his efforts. His partner Charles Burnett is also outstanding.’
Work highlights
Employment > Immigration: personal Tier 1
With an ‘ability to handle complex immigration issues with creativity and insight‘, Gherson LLP is a key name for HNW and UHNW individuals and families on all aspects of their UK immigration affairs across the whole spectrum of immigration categories. The group has considerable expertise handling a variety of discretionary applications involving excessive absences, previous criminality and politically motivated allegations or charges in other jurisdictions. With expertise in both contentious and non-contentious matters, the firm also has a reputable international protection team, which handles asylum, exclusion and extradition cases, and also has experience bringing cases involving immigration sanctions in the tribunals. Praised for her ‘dedication and professionalism‘, Lisa Uttley leads the personal immigration group. Kamilla Kelemen heads up the UK inbound immigration team and has extensive experience in both general immigration issues as well as international protection work, and Amalia Gherson has a broad immigration practice that includes advising on asylum and protection claims. Roger Gherson oversees the practice, and Charles Burnett acts on cases involving human rights or multi-jurisdictional issues.
Practice head(s):
Roger Gherson; Charles Burnett; Kamilla Kelemen; Lisa Uttley
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They have a great and very professional team.’
‘Collaboration across teams is top notch. Extremely capable and dedicated team, fantastic communication and attention to detail throughout.’
‘I am impressed by Lisa Uttley’s dedication and professionalism. Lisa is super efficient and provided clear and in time communication on all matters throughout.’
‘This practice stands out due to its innovative approach, exceptional client care, and commitment to diversity. Their diverse team brings a wealth of perspectives and experiences, enhancing their ability to handle complex immigration issues with creativity and insight.’
‘Brilliant team. Very professional and pleasure to deal with.’
‘Gherson’s team members always think outside the box and are ready to go extra mile.’
Employment > Immigration Tier 3
With expertise in ‘the full spread of immigration, asylum and nationality work‘, Gherson LLP regularly advises clients such as SMEs, private offices, entrepreneurs and conglomerates on a broad range of business immigration issues, including compliance and monitoring obligations. Kamilla Kelemen, who joined from Magrath Sheldrick LLP in August 2023, and ‘powerhouse‘ Roger Gherson both oversee the UK inbound immigration team, and between them the two lawyers have extensive experience in complex corporate immigration work across many industries. Lisa Uttley and Mayuri Manjula are also key contacts for business immigration.
Practice head(s):
Roger Gherson; Kamilla Kelemen
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They are a dedicated and hardworking team, with significant experience. ’
‘Roger Gherson is a powerhouse, who continues to go from strength to strength. If you are a client with complex, politically sensitive case which engages geopolitics, and you need international protection, then there is still no better person to go to than Roger Gherson.’
‘This firm does the full spread of immigration, asylum and nationality work – but also links that to extradition cases, cases under sanctions legislation (SAMLA 2018) and Investor Treaty cases. In this regard it is doing highly innovative work.’
‘Roger Gherson consistenly opposes injustices, is innovative in doing so, and indefatigable in his efforts. His partner Charles Burnett is also outstanding.’
‘As we’ve worked with Gherson and the team for several years they know our industry and our expectations and always deliver. They’re always available any time I have a question, no matter how minor and reply in good time and are very knowledgeable.’
Gherson LLP > Firm Profile
Gherson has an outstanding reputation and remains a leading firm in International Protection, Asylum, Extradition, Interpol, UK Immigration, White-Collar Crime, Sanctions, Litigation and Cross-Border Disputes.
The firm: Established in 1988, this niche practice is consistently recognised as a market leader in the field of immigration law and international protection by both clients and peers alike, and recruits and retains the best people. Roger Gherson’s uncompromising dedication to the cases he takes on ensures the firm achieves both legal excellence and exceptional client service.
Types of work undertaken: The firm provides advice and assistance to individuals and their families as well as investors and private and public companies in respect of every aspect of immigration, international protection, white-collar crime and litigation and arbitration, no matter how simple, or complex.
Gherson offers exceptional service and with over 35 years of experience extending from meeting the migration needs of international business people and UK-based companies, to litigation in all UK jurisdictions and the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of Justice.
As immigration specialists Gherson advise on all immigration routes for individuals and families, options for employers as well as, citizenship, asylum, human rights, extradition, financial sanctions, and complex immigration litigation.
Advising individuals and families on the most appropriate route to residence and nationality is a significant part of the firm’s work. Gherson often advises on its clients’ rights under Article 3 and Article 8 of the ECHR, and regularly makes discretionary applications which fall outside the immigration rules. The firm continues to strengthen its reputation for achieving a successful outcome for its clients, even in the most difficult and challenging of circumstances.
A dedicated team manages the requirements of the firm’s business clients, both local and international, assisting businesses with applications for sponsor licences and obtaining entry clearance for employees from outside the UK. This area of law is heavily regulated, and the penalties for not meeting the stringent requirements can be substantial. The firm provides a comprehensive advisory service to its business clients to ensure they remain compliant.
Roger Gherson has been heavily involved in complex international extradition work for many years in concert with other firms, but in 2013 the firm opened a dedicated in-house extradition department with a view to providing its clients with a complete service under one roof. The firm’s award-winning expertise in immigration and nationality law perfectly complements this offering and enables it to provide clients with a complete package of advice. Alongside general extradition work the firm is able to advise clients regarding the implications and merits of engaging with INTERPOL in relation to red notices and is extremely experienced in managing the after-effects of a successful extradition defence and ensuring that clients can continue to travel safely internationally.
As well as providing full defence representation for those facing extradition proceedings here in the UK the firm has unique experience in assisting its clients internationally. This aspect of its work can properly be said to be unparalleled. Roger Gherson is used to assembling and managing large teams of lawyers in different jurisdictions. Often the firm provides full back-office support for the foreign lawyers and provides the necessary legal expertise they need to effectively defend the case. In the past few years Gherson has assisted clients who have been arrested in connection with extradition proceedings in Austria, France, Italy, Germany, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic and Monaco. In each case the firm has quickly assembled teams of specialist extradition and asylum lawyers both abroad and in the UK and has proactively managed the case, ensuring the best possible outcome. Gherson is now probably the most experienced firm in the UK in this field. The firm has also now developed significant experience in the unusual legal arena of international sanctions cases, and continues to grow its reputation in this relatively new and complex area of law.
Gherson is a truly specialist firm of dedicated immigration, international protection, white-collar crime and cross-border dispute professionals who have a reputation for pursuing the very best outcome for all their clients.
Main Contacts
| Department | Name | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Senior Partner | Roger Gherson | ||
| Human Rights and Asylum | Charles Burnett | ||
| White-Collar Crime | Thomas Cattee | ||
| UK Inbound Immigration | Lisa Uttley | ||
| Sanctions and International Protection | Amalia Gherson |
Lawyer Profiles
| Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
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Charles Burnett | Charles specialises in asylum and protection claims, appeals to the Immigration Tribunals… | View Profile |
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Thomas Cattee | Since joining Gherson Solicitors LLP, Tom has utilised his experience in leading… | View Profile |
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Roger Gherson | Roger established Gherson in 1988, some seven years after first qualifying as… | View Profile |
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Amalia Gherson | Amalia assists with asylum and protection claims, appeals to the Immigration Tribunals,… | View Profile |
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Lisa Uttley | Lisa is a University of Nottingham law graduate and started in immigration… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 5 Number of other UK fee-earners : 35Languages
Chinese (including Cantonese and Mandarin) French Hindi Polish Russian Romanian Spanish Swedish Uzbek Afrikaans Chichewa Czech Igbo Malay Marathi Shona Slovak Swahili Tamil Telugu Tongo ZuluPress Releases
Top EU court has annulled the decisions of the Council of the European Union to impose sanctions on Russian businessmen Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman
18th April 2024 In today’s landmark judgments concerning the imposition of sanctions by the EU (cases T-301/22 and T-304/22), the top EU court has annulled the decisions of the Council of the European Union to impose sanctions on Russian businessmen Petr Aven and Mikhail Fridman.Gherson Solicitors Promotes Three to Partnership
18th April 2024 Leading London-based independent law firm Gherson Solicitors LLP (Gherson) is pleased to announce the appointment of Thomas Cattee, Elizabeth (Lisa) Uttley, and Amalia Gherson to the partnership.- Employment > Immigration: human rights
- Employment > Immigration: personal
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Employment > Immigration