Leading Individuals

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Immigration in North West

Brabners LLP

Brabners LLP has extensive technical expertise in business immigration with work relating to sponsor license and visa applications. The firm has expertise across a number of sectors such as life sciences, pharmaceuticals, food manufacturing, engineering, care and construction and acts for a range of clients from PLCs and SMEs to technology firms and start ups. Brendan McAleese advises multi-national companies on license applications, skilled worker visas and EU settlement schemes. Laura Darnley departed for Ward Hadaway LLP in August 2023, although Ikram Malik recently joined from JMW Solicitors LLP as head of business immigration.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ikram Malik


Autres avocats clés:

Brendan McAleese


Les références

‘Brabners are both extremely professional and knowledgeable on Immigration matters. They have a friendly, supportive and helpful manner, unlike other firms we have dealt with in the past. They are very transparent about fees from the outset and keep you informed if any matter will cost any extra.’

‘This is a practice that takes time to get to know its clients and support them and their customers. If your contact can’t answer your question then they will find someone in the team who can help.’

‘They are a really approachable team and they know how speak to clients at the right level so nobody drowns on legal vocabulary. My contacts are specialists in employment law. They always provide the right guidance and feedback from their services is always positive.

Principaux clients

Müller UK and Ireland Limited


Alfred H Knight International Limited


Peak 15 Limited


Hill & Smith Holdings Plc


Apex Molecular Limited


Bryter Limited


Nanoplexus Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised Müller UK & Ireland LLP on all their immigration needs, including Skilled Worker and Global Business Mobility visas.
  • Advised Alfred H Knight International Limited on the immigration law requirements for all international assignments to the UK from their extensive overseas network.
  • Advised Peak 15 Limited with utilising the UK visa process to help them with recruiting and retaining care workers to fill long standing vacancies.

DWF

DWF provides the full spectrum of business immigration services for multi-nationals, FTSE 100 and AIM-listed businesses. The firm advises academic institutions and students in respect of worker visas in addition to acting for high-skilled migrants for start-up visas. John Dorney  advises on migrant recruitment and employment options with particular experience in the haulage and consumer sectors. Laura Winstanley is well-versed in work checks and immigration visa matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

John Dorney


Autres avocats clés:

Laura Winstanley


Les références

‘John Dorney is extremely knowledgeable and clear in his advice. We have taken great reassurance in dealing with him and would not hesitate to approach him for advice on immigration matters once again.’

‘Very responsive and keen to find the most appropriate person to support with our issues.’

Principaux clients

adidas


DWF Group PLC


Fusion Furniture Solutions Limited


Gruppo Campari


illycaffè


Munnelly Group PLC


NES Fircroft


Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra


Scott Logic


Seda UK


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised a client over bringing non settled employees to the UK to carry out business activities.
  • Advised a client over its response to a Home Office penalty notice for unlawful working and its options with regard to objecting, appealing or mitigating the decision.
  • Advised a client over its reporting obligations in respect of a recent change of group structure and control.

Shoosmiths LLP

Shoosmiths LLP regularly advises employers on everything from compliance and right to work checks to applications for sponsor licenses. The practice also assists employers on the rules for business visitors and visit visa applications. Emma Morgan co-heads the team and acts for clients across the logistics, education, engineering and telecoms sectors. Other co-head Rachel Harvey is recommended for her experience in both corporate and personal immigration affairs.

Responsables de la pratique:

Emma Morgan; Rachel Harvey


Les références

‘A very diverse team of highly intelligent, very knowledgeable people. Nothing was ever too much, happy to do as much or as little as required by the client. Communications are in plain English with no legal jargon.’

‘Warm, friendly, approachable, knowledgeable and down to earth. Always kept up to date and followed up with to ensure everything was going to plan and deadlines met.’

‘The team are very helpful and knowledgeable.’

Principaux clients

South Staffordshire College


CityFibre Holdings Limited


MV Fruehauf


University of Northampton


The Francis Crick Institute


Fulcrum Infrastructure Limited


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted a research and education institute with upskilling the HR and People team and provided training on right to work and sponsorship.
  • Advised CityFibre Holdings Limited on strategic new hires and employees seeking to switch visa category.
  • Acted for MV Fruehauf in obtaining an urgent sponsor license application and skilled worker visa.

DAC Beachcroft LLP

DAC Beachcroft LLP advises private and public sector organisations on matters pertaining to sponsorship under the Points Based System, illegal working, EU Settlement Scheme and Brexit. Shahjahan Ali acts for a range of clients from educational institutions and charities to investors and entrepreneurs.

Responsables de la pratique:

Shahjahan Ali


Les références

‘The team provide a high level and professional service. We have built up a strong relationship over the last few years and trust them with all of our immigration issues and advice. The team work to a really high standard and are thorough with cases and applications. They are always happy to help.’

Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the Austrian Embassy – Commercial Section and its contacts in connection with post-Brexit business activities in the UK.

Latitude Law

Latitude Law is a boutique practice with experience in covering skilled worker visas in addition to short-term sponsorships. Practice head Gary McIndoe is well-versed in guiding businesses through sponsor licensing and related regulatory processes. Mohammed Hafejee has a specialism in the arts and entertainment sector. Gemma Tracey departed to JMW Solicitors LLP in 2024.

Responsables de la pratique:

Gary McIndoe


Autres avocats clés:

Mohammed Hafejee


Les références

‘Just on it. Always helpful and clear and caring.’

‘The team at Latitude Law are personable, engaging, proactive, solution-focused and highly competent.’

‘I trust the fact that the team will creatively and intelligently deal with complex issues with a sense of ownership and a commitment to delivering an outcome. I have great confidence in their seriousness and skill.’

Principaux clients

Dominion Bierrum Ltd


Graitec Ltd


Thornton & Ross Ltd


McCown & Evans LLP


Substance Over Form Ltd


Lizmontagens Thermal Technologies Group s.a.


J. Christof Gesellschaft m.b.H.


Egger (UK) Ltd


Auto Trader Group plc


Salesians of Don Bosco


Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ


NFC Health & Social Care Ltd


CognitiveScale Inc.


Strong Drive Ltd


Ulverston Community Enterprises Ltd


Principaux dossiers


  • Acted for McCown and Evans LLP, San Francisco in providing UK-inbound support.
  • Acted for Graitec Ltd in overhauling the sponsor licensing presence, including urgent addition of a skilled worker tier to its existing senior/specialist tier.

Pinsent Masons LLP

Pinsent Masons LLP carries out a range of corporate immigration work including mainstream sponsorship options for workers, right to work policy and applications. The practice is lead by Shara Pledger; she joined from Latitude Law at the start of 2022 and specialises in sponsor licensing options for entrepreneurs and those with high net worth in addition to options for UK businesses recruiting foreign talent.

Responsables de la pratique:

Shara Pledger


Les références

‘Shara Pledger is exceptional. Her response time is very quick, her explanations clear. Everything looks simple with her.’

‘The team at Pinsent Masons were highly responsive to our requirements and navigated through the tricky visa process in a professional manner.’

‘The partner involved spent time working alongside our in-house staff to educate them on the application process and assist in interpreting the detailed nature of information required.’

Principaux clients

Balfour Beatty


Syngenta


Accord Business Partnerships Limited


OSM Offshore Aberdeen Limited


New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering


Vattenfall Wind Power Limited


Norge Mining


MPT Ashtead


Hymans Robertson


Principaux dossiers


  • Provided ongoing support and training to Balfour Beatty in respect of UK immigration options and compliance.
  • Assisted Syngenta across multiple matters, facilitating recruitment and temporary transfer of workers via visa sponsorship.
  • Supported multiple clients in the offshore shipping and energy sectors in respect of post-Brexit immigration options, visa concessions, and sponsorship-free recruitment.

Ward Hadaway LLP

Ward Hadaway LLP is regularly instructed to assist with applications to become a sponsor for skilled worker, global business mobility and temporary visas. Flora Mewies advises on sponsor management compliance and co-leads the practice with Harmajinder Hayre who is well-versed in the retail and transport sectors. Laura Darnley joined from Brabners LLP in August 2023.

Responsables de la pratique:

Harmajinder Hayre; Flora Mewies


Autres avocats clés:

Laura Darnley; Arshia Hashmi


Les références

‘Ward Hadaway take a collaborative approach to their work, making it an enjoyable practice to work with.’

‘Flora Mewies has gone above and beyond to deliver a business focused approach to solving complex issues for our company.’

‘We have a huge amount of trust in the expertise and guidance that Ward Hadaway provide.’

Principaux clients

VUR Village Hotels


Wellburn Care Homes Limited


Mourik UK Limited


The Alnwick Garden Trust


North East Autism Society


Morningside Healthcare Limited and Morningside Pharmaceuticals Limited


GN Hearing UK Limited


KAEFER Limited


Akereos Capital Limited


Newcastle United Football Club


Principaux dossiers


  • Assisted Wellburn Care Homes Limited in their application for a sponsor licence to cover each of its 14 care homes in rural North East England.