I’m an Associate in the Immigration department at Bates Wells. I advise a diverse client base on a wide range of both corporate and personal immigration matters, as well as on nationality law. I specialise in applications involving children and have a particular interest in cases involving single parents; blended families; surrogacy; adoption; and other “non-traditional” family arrangements. Having studied History as an undergraduate, I also have a keen interest in citizenship matters involving historic ancestral connections. On the corporate side, I advise both commercial and not-for-profit clients on sponsorship matters, including sponsorship for individuals; sponsor licence compliance; and right-to-work issues.
I enjoy complex, challenging matters and am always determined to achieve the best possible results for my clients. I take a pragmatic approach to resolving problems, whilst not being afraid to challenge Home Office decisions or policy where appropriate. I am experienced in both immigration appeals and Judicial Review.
I am acutely aware of how stressful it is to navigate the UK immigration system, both for individuals and organisations, particularly at a time of such hostile rhetoric towards migrants generally. I strive to provide a personal and supportive service, and always feel privileged to play a role in my clients’ migration stories and organisational journeys.
- Secured status for a long-term overstayer in a same-sex relationship with a British citizen, based on there being insurmountable obstacles to family life continuing in their country of origin.
- Secured status for the blended family members of a Skilled Worker, including a child from a previous relationship, and another child adopted overseas.
- Successfully registered twins born overseas via surrogacy as British citizens.
- Successfully overturned the refusal of ILR for the child of a refugee, without needing to go to appeal.
- Led on the successful appeals of two Rwandan sons, now young adults, to join their mother in the UK after a prolonged delay in the Home Office consideration of their applications.
- Supported a not-for-profit client in obtaining a new sponsor licence and sponsoring an individual on an urgent basis, ahead of significant changes to the immigration rules.
- Advised on complex sponsorship arrangements for a senior executive at a fast-growing think tank.
- Assisted a client in renouncing her British citizenship and obtaining ILR on the basis of long residence, despite significant absences from the UK in the relevant qualifying period.
- Led on two separate successful appeals for non-family caregivers of British children with special needs.
- Secured permanent status in the UK for a mother and daughter who had been absent from the UK for extended periods prior to their applications.
- Assisted with the spin-out of various organisations from an umbrella charity.
- Helped reunite a mother and son separated for over 12 years through refugee Family Reunion, and to secure them both ILR.
- Helped reunite an Afghan family following the Taliban takeover in 2021.
- Supported a newspaper publisher with sponsored worker applications involving senior international hires, as well as guiding them through the impact of changes to the Skilled Worker route.
- Supported a Zambian national looking to naturalise as a British citizen despite a complicated immigration history.