Blacks Solicitors’ Immigration team provide clear, cost-effective advice to individuals seeking to enter or remain in the UK.

At Blacks, we understand that immigration is a fast-changing area of law for EU and non-EU citizens alike. Non-EU individuals must navigate an ever more complex system of immigration control, usually through the Points-Based System. In addition, uncertainty around Brexit is increasingly leading EU workers to try to secure their rights as early as possible, and to plan for life post-Brexit.

As a result, Blacks’ specialist Immigration team regularly provide advice to EU nationals, medium and highly skilled workers, investors, entrepreneurs, family members, and individuals applying for Indefinite Leave to Remain, or looking to obtain British Citizenship.

Some of our services include:

• British Citizenship Applications
• EU Settlement Scheme
• Permanent residence documents
• Family members under Appendix FM (including partners and children)
• Challenging Home Office decisions by Administrative Review, Appeal, or Judicial Review
• Applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain
• Visit Visa Applications
• Obtaining a Tier 1 Visa (as an entrepreneur or investor)
• Obtaining a Tier 2 and Tier 5 visas

Business Immigration

Blacks Solicitors’ specialist Business Immigration team provide clear, cost-effective advice to businesses across Yorkshire and throughout the UK.

Blacks’ understand that hiring the right person for the job is central to any company’s success; however, immigration is a complex and fast-changing area of law and businesses face ever increasing challenges when looking to recruit foreign workers.

Employers must obtain a Sponsor Licence in order to sponsor non-EU workers, and must ensure compliance with Home Office rules (including duties relating to sponsorship and the prevention of illegal working).

In addition, uncertainty around Brexit is increasingly leading employers to try to secure the rights of their EU employees as soon as possible and to plan for life post-Brexit.

At Blacks we provide expert, tailored advice to guide our clients through the process of hiring foreign workers, so our clients can focus on getting the right person for the job.

Some of our services include:

• Sponsor Licences and sponsoring non-EU Nationals
• Right to Work
• Preparing for Brexit – securing the rights of EU citizen employees
• Assistance for employees to obtain their Tier 2 and Tier 5 Visas
• Immigration Audits and Training

Furthermore, as we do not solely specialise in immigration for businesses, our breadth of knowledge allows us to find routes for employees under a non-business route.

Meet the Head of Immigration

Louis MacWilliam joined Blacks Solicitors as an Associate Solicitor in May 2018 and heads up the new Immigration team.
Prior to joining Blacks, Louis worked for four years at a leading London law firm and has represented clients at various levels.

Now, with over ten years’ under his belt as an immigration specialist, Louis acts for individuals in relation to applications for EU nationals and their family members, medium and highly skilled workers, investors, entrepreneurs, and family members. He also provides assistance with challenges to Home Office visa refusals.

In addition, Louis provides advice to businesses on hiring non-EU workers (applying for and managing a Sponsor License), securing the rights of EU employees and planning for life after Brexit. He also supports clients in relation to Home Office compliance and can carry out mock-audits.

Louis is a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association and is an experienced litigator having represented clients in immigration Tribunals and in the High Court.

Immigration Pricing Information

* The above prices are estimates based on our hourly rate of £215 per hour plus VAT. This is the hourly rate of Associate Solicitor Louis MacWilliam. From time to time we may be assisted by a Paralegal whose charge is £120 per hour plus VAT, or by an Apprentice whose charge is £75 per hour plus VAT.

We have provided a range of pricing which reflects the fact that some cases take longer than others. For example, if your case is particularly complex and/or has a high volume of documents for us to read then our estimate is likely to be at the higher end of the range. We may exceptionally give you an estimate outside of this range.

We will on occasion provide work for a Fixed Fee, within the above ranges.

Disbursements

You are liable for any disbursements which arise during the course of your case. A disbursement is a payment which we make to a third party on your behalf. Common disbursements include counsel fees, interpreting and translation.

Scope of work

Consultation

As part of the consultation we will either attend with you in person, or by telephone or video link, to take detailed instructions. We will review relevant documentation and then provide detailed advice orally and in writing. We will consider which routes are available to you and the relevant application process and supporting documentation required.

Immigration Applications

We will provide an initial consultation as above. We will then assist you in the preparation and submission of the relevant Application. This includes reviewing supporting documents and the Application, drafting representations, and sending the documents to the Home Office

Court/Tribunal work

• Bail Application
  Preparing the Bail Application and Grounds of Bail.
• Representation at Bail Hearings
  Preparing the Bail Application, including advising on required documents, reviewing documents, and submitting documents to the Tribunal. Also includes briefing counsel. Note that a separate fee will be payable to Counsel.
• Lodging Grounds of Appeal to the First Tier Tribunal
  Completing the relevant Appeal Form and drafting separate Grounds of Appeal.
• Court representation in the First Tier Tribunal
  Advising and reviewing required documents, drafting witness statements, preparing bundle, briefing Counsel, and all work up to a decision from the Tribunal.
• Applications for Permission to Appeal to the Upper Tribunal
  Preparing Application for Permission to Appeal to the Upper Tribunal and liaising with Counsel. Note that a separate fee will likely be payable for Counsel to draft grounds.
• Representation in the Upper Tribunal
  Preparing a supplementary bundle and liaising with Counsel.