Finding the right immigration solicitor in London can be daunting, especially for high-stakes matters such as business immigration, asylum, visa refusals, sponsorship licensing, or nationality cases. This guide highlights ten of the city’s leading immigration law firms and lawyers, based on independent rankings, expertise, and client feedback.
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1. Fragomen LLP
- Ian Robinson – Partner (business immigration and sponsor licence)
- Charlotte Wills – Partner (corporate immigration)
- Sarah Lovell – Counsel (individual immigration)
Global powerhouse in corporate immigration with a strong London presence, acting for FTSE-100 and multinational companies [1].
2. Gherson Solicitors
- Roger Gherson – Founder (complex immigration and asylum)
- Thomas Garner – Partner (extradition and asylum)
- Mark Symes – Barrister (immigration appeals and judicial review)
Specialist firm handling asylum, extradition, nationality, and complex HNW immigration matters [2].
3. Winston & Partners Solicitors
- Sandra Winston – Senior Partner (immigration and human rights)
- Robert Okoro – Partner (business and family immigration)
- Emma Patel – Associate (student and skilled worker visas)
Well-regarded boutique practice representing individuals, families and small businesses in London immigration cases [3].
4. Wilson Solicitors LLP
- Matthew Davies – Partner (corporate immigration and sponsorship)
- Sonia Lenegan – Solicitor (asylum and detention)
- Shauna Gillan – Solicitor (immigration appeals and nationality)
Leading Legal Aid and privately funded immigration specialists, active in asylum and human rights cases [4].
5. Wellington Immigration Solicitors
- Olivia Wellington – Principal Solicitor (family visas and nationality)
- David Mensah – Senior Solicitor (corporate immigration)
- Aisha Khan – Solicitor (appeals and judicial review)
Respected London practice with growing reputation for family, student, and skilled worker visa applications [5].
6. Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) members
- Sonali Naik KC – Leading barrister (Garden Court Chambers)
- Nath Gbikpi – Solicitor (Islington Law Centre)
- Alison Harvey – Senior practitioner and trainer
ILPA brings together top immigration lawyers and barristers across London, many of whom handle test-case litigation [6].
7. Reeds Solicitors LLP
- Shabana Ditta – Partner (immigration and crime cross-over)
- Michael Phillips – Solicitor (corporate and sponsorship)
- Laura Lee – Solicitor (family immigration)
Strong team noted for complex immigration appeals and cross-disciplinary immigration and crime work [7].
8. Osbornes Law
- Mark Lilley-Tams – Partner (immigration lead)
- Rhiannon Lowe – Solicitor (EU settlement and family visas)
- David Marsden – Solicitor (business immigration)
Recognised for EU settlement, asylum and family immigration in addition to wider personal legal services [8].
9. Duncan Lewis Solicitors
- James Packer – Director of Public Law and Immigration
- Toufique Hossain – Director (asylum and detention)
- Maria Wright – Solicitor (family immigration)
One of the UK’s largest Legal Aid immigration practices, highly active in detention, asylum and appeals [9].
10. Bindmans LLP
- Siany Macdonald – Partner (immigration and human rights)
- John Halford – Partner (public law and immigration)
- Francesca Sella – Solicitor (family immigration)
Highly regarded firm combining immigration expertise with strong human rights and public law practices [10].
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an immigration lawyer in London do?
Immigration lawyers advise on visas, sponsorship, nationality, asylum, detention challenges, appeals, and judicial reviews. They represent both individuals and corporations in navigating UK immigration rules.
How long does the UK immigration process take?
Processing times vary. A standard spouse visa may take 8–12 weeks, while business sponsor licences can take 8 weeks. Appeals and judicial reviews often take several months or more depending on court timetables.
What are the most common immigration cases in London?
Spouse and partner visas, work visas under the Skilled Worker route, student visas, asylum claims, EU settlement, and nationality applications are among the most common case types.
Can immigration lawyers help with refusals?
Yes. Lawyers can prepare appeals, administrative reviews, or judicial review proceedings to challenge Home Office refusals where unlawful or unreasonable.
Do I need a lawyer for a sponsor licence?
It is strongly recommended. Sponsor compliance is complex and errors can lead to licence suspension or revocation. Corporate immigration teams ensure applications meet Home Office requirements.
Are legal aid immigration cases still funded?
Yes, but only for asylum, detention, trafficking, and certain human rights cases. Most family, work, and study visa applications are privately funded.
What is the success rate for appeals?
Appeal outcomes depend on evidence, representation, and case law. Tribunals uphold many appeals where procedural errors or unfairness occurred.
What is judicial review in immigration?
Judicial review challenges unlawful decisions by the Home Office in the Administrative Court or Upper Tribunal, often where no right of appeal exists.
Sources and endnotes
- Fragomen UK immigration practice. fragomen.com
- Gherson Solicitors – Immigration & Asylum. gherson.com
- Winston & Partners Solicitors – Immigration services. winstonandpartners.co.uk
- Wilson Solicitors LLP – Immigration. wilsonllp.co.uk
- Wellington Solicitors – Immigration services. wellingtonlaw.co.uk
- Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association. ilpa.org.uk
- Reeds Solicitors LLP – Immigration. reeds.co.uk
- Osbornes Law – Immigration team. osborneslaw.com
- Duncan Lewis Solicitors – Immigration. duncanlewis.co.uk
- Bindmans LLP – Immigration services. bindmans.com
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