Ashfords LLP‘s immigration team is highly regarded for its wide ranging employment and immigration practice, supporting clients across the healthcare, hospitality, tech and marine sectors. The team also specialises in personal immigration matters for private individuals, including spousal visas and urgent leave to remain applications on human rights grounds. The ’exceptional’ Kirsty Cooke leads the immigration practice, handling the full gamut of recruitment and employment issues for businesses, with a notable specialism advising on marine and maritime-related immigration issues. Ellen Parker advises employers on sponsor licence applications and obligations, as well as family visa applications, while Laura Wonnacott specialises in visa and right to work issues in the marine sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'They have a great understanding of our business and the challenges we have in our market. Therefore, the team has been able to support us in obtaining the right advice and following the correct process to be able to sponsor migrant workers for our business.'
- 'We have been able to build a great relationship which makes the team very approachable, especially Ellen Parker who has always been very helpful.'
- 'My dealings with Ashfords were especially positive. I was dealing with what was (for me) a complex area of employment, but the subject area and advice was made accessible to someone without legal training. I met numerous members of the team and all were courteous, very friendly and made time for me.'
- 'Kirsty Cooke was exceptional in outlining complex positions in a way that a non-specialist like myself could understand. She has a good rapport with clients, always made time for consultations and always fulfilled her commitments.'
Key clients
- Ocado Group Limited
- Nanusens Limited
- The Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
- Tungsten West plc/Drakelands Restoration Limited
- Barton Place Limited/BN Care Holdings Limited
- Industrial Robotic Solutions Limited
- McDonalds Franchisee
Work highlights
Providing ongoing support to Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust on all UK immigration issues, including right to work issues, Health and Care Worker visas and the immigration requirements following the recruitment of foreign qualified doctors and nurses.
Supported Drakelands Restoration Limited/Tungsten West plc with the immigration aspects of the appointment of the new CEO, including sponsor licence application and Skilled Worker Visa.
Providing Ocado Group Limited with ongoing support on all day to day immigration issues, including right to work matters and training to staff on sponsorship processes and obligations.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Ellen Parker
Practice head
Kirsty Cooke
Other key lawyers
Ellen Parker; Laura Wonnacott