Team members and supervision
All work will be partner-led however, we are also supported by a trainee solicitor and a legal assistant.
Details of the individuals within the team and their qualifications and experience can be found in their profiles here.
The Services
This overview relates to the following Services only:
- Advice in relation to the preparation and submission of immigration applications for individuals; or
- Advice and representation at the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) in relation to appeals against Home Office visa or immigration decisions.
Please note that we are unable to advise on asylum, refugee or deportation matters. Estimated costs for other immigration support can be given after reviewing your claim.
The Services: Costs
Individual Applications
The range of costs for advice relating to the preparation and submission of immigration applications for individuals is from £700 to £8,000 (plus VAT). Typically, the average cost will be between £1,500 to £4,500 (plus VAT). However, the complexity of applications varies significantly, so we encourage you to contact us for a personalised estimate. We give personalised estimates in all cases to ensure you are fully aware of costs.
Advice and representation at First-tier Tribunals in relation to appeals
In relation to appeals against Home Office visa or immigration decisions via the First–Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), the cost of advice and representation is from £5,000 to £35,000 (plus VAT). Typically, the average cost will be between £7,500 and £20,000 (plus VAT). Again, the facts and circumstances of every appeal are discrete, so we encourage you to contact us for a personalised costs estimate.
The basis of our charging is our hourly rates which for individual immigration matters range from £175 to £350 (plus VAT). We will explain the applicable hourly rate before you instruct us.
The Services: Key Stages
Individual Applications
The stages involved in the preparation of an immigration application include:
- a fact-finding exercise to establish the full background to and circumstances of the proposed application;
- initial review of relevant documents;
- identification and consideration of relevant law or practice;
- identification of and provision of advice on the options including advice on the evidence required to support an application;
- preparing a personal statement or letter supporting the application (if indicated);
- preparing supporting statements from any other relevant supporter of the application (if indicated);
- gathering and compiling the supporting evidence;
- advising on the processing time and the availability of local premium services (if any);
- corresponding with you throughout;
- assisting in the completion of the application and the submission of the supporting papers.
The timescales for these stages cannot be predicted in advance because they depend on the nature of each application, the supporting evidence required and Home Office availability. We will discuss this on a case-by-case basis.
Advice and representation at First-tier Tribunals in relation to appeals
The stages involved in the preparation of an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) include the following:
- a fact-finding exercise to establish the full background to and circumstances of the proposed appeal;
- initial review of relevant documents;
- identification and consideration of relevant law or practice.
- advice on the evidence required to support an appeal and on the general merits of the proposed appeal;
- completing and filing a notice of appeal;
- preparing personal statements supporting the appeal;
- corresponding with relevant witnesses and preparing witness statements (if indicated);
- preparing and lodging the appeal bundle;
- perusing and considering the case advanced by the Home Office in response;
- complying with all tribunal orders;
- corresponding with you, the respondent and the tribunal;
- preparation for the hearing including preparation of submissions and legal authorities;
- attend and represent you at the hearing;
- brief a barrister to appear on your behalf if agreed. All barristers’ costs will be in addition to our costs set out above;
- updating you on progress and legal costs incurred.
Advice following a hearing may include advice on the terms and effect of the tribunal’s decision, any steps you should take in consequence of the decision and considering potential grounds of appeal.
We do not offer the following:
- Free initial consultations
- No-win no-fee agreements
- Conditional fee agreements
- Fixed fees for immigration work
Please note that we are unable to advise on asylum and refugee matters.
Any services required outside those set out above would be quoted separately on an individual basis.
VAT
Unless expressly stated otherwise, all of the fees and disbursements referred to would be subject to VAT, payable in addition, calculated at the standard rate of 20%. If you are based outside the UK, then we may not be required to apply VAT to our rates. We will explain the hourly rate and application of VAT before you instruct us.
Disbursements
We will let you know if disbursements may be incurred in your case. The disbursements which you may be required to pay include:
Fees set by the Home Office
- Home Office application fees. The application fee will depend on the nature of your application.
- Healthcare surcharge. The Home Office applies a charge to some applications for use of the NHS.
- Priority fees. The Home Office may offer a priority service for an application to receive a decision sooner. If this applies to your application, we shall discuss this with you at the relevant time.
The fees charged by the Home Office are reviewed annually and usually change in April each year. VAT is not payable on these fees. The current fee rates can be found [Link to Home Office website – UK visa fees – GOV.UK.
Other disbursements
- Depending on your application there may be additional costs, such as the cost of the English language test, a Tuberculosis test, or the Life in the Uk test. You may also have to pay to translate documents into English if they are in a foreign language. There may also be fees to attend a visa application centre, to retain your passport or to use a courier service. We will discuss the requirements for your individual application with you.
- Tribunal fees. The fee for an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal determined on the papers is £80. The fee for an appeal determined at an oral hearing is £140. Fee remission may be available depending on your personal circumstances. VAT is not payable on these fees. Fee awards and refunds may be available at the discretion of the tribunal.
- A barrister’s fees, if you instruct us to retain a barrister on your behalf. It is impossible to provide generic information about barristers’ fees. The fees will be linked to the seniority of the barrister (Junior, Leading Junior or KC), their availability, the length of the hearing and the complexity of the case. Barristers’ will charge a “brief” fee as a minimum cost for taking on the matter. In addition, barristers’ will charge an additional fee incurred for each day they work in Tribunal (a “refresher fee”). In all cases if we advise you to retain a barrister, we will help you choose the correct level of barrister to suit your needs and budget and will discuss the cost implications with you before we proceed.
- Travel or hotel costs for attending hearings or meetings away from our office. It is impossible to provide generic information about these expenses and we will discuss them with you on a case-by-case basis if they apply. VAT is payable on travel and hotel costs.
For expert advice on immigration applications don’t hesitate to contact our team of experienced immigration lawyers on 0800 2800 421.
