Solicitors
Criteria for Affiliation and Listings
Although much of the content on this website has been prepared by qualified immigration solicitors, it is not a substitute for getting your own professional legal advice. As an organisation, UKLGIG does not provide representation for any individual case. If you need advice or representation, we suggest you contact one of the affiliated solicitors listed below. These firms pay an annual affiliation fee to appear here and a listing indicates they are LGBTI friendly and supportive of our work. They are not “recommended” as such and UKLGIG can take no responsibility for the advice given by affiliated firms. The Group will, however, always attempt to act in the best interests of its users. Full text of affiliation policy
UKLGIG will only consider affiliation from firms that meet one of the following criteria:
CH – The firm, or an individual within the firm, is listed in the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession as a leader in immigration law.
A2 – The firm employs at least one person who has been accredited at Level 2 of the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation Scheme (IAAS). We do our best to keep this information up to date, but please check via the link, because the Law Society lists are updated every month.
ILPA* – The firm employs at least one person who is an Immigration Law Practitioners Association course trainer *.
Additional entries in the Key as follows:
V – One or more team members volunteer at asylum support and/or partnership meetings.
🌈 – LGBTQI solicitor(s) available.
NFP – Not for profit organisation.
£ (under £120 per hour) ££ (£120 – £150) £££ (£150 – £180) ££££ (£180 – £210)
£££££ (£210 or above) (F) Fixed fees available.
Legal Aid – These firms may be able to offer free help and advice. Am I eligible for legal help ?
Feedback and Complaints
We welcome feedback , so if you have any concerns about anyone appearing here, do not hesitate to let us know. Please, however, use our Forum with care. If you have an issue with a particular solicitor, it would not be appropriate to air this in public before an investigation has been made.
Always ask for an estimate of costs and make it clear that you must be kept informed, with an explanation, if the estimate is likely to be exceeded. Fees do vary a great deal and should not be considered an indicator of quality.
The standards and requirements which are expected of legal practitioners in the UK – “for the benefit of the clients they serve and in the general public interest” – are published in detail as a set of principles by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
“How do I choose an immigration advisor?” – Guidance from the Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA).
The Solicitors Database
All the firms listed on these pages are specialist in partnership applications and many have been involved in pioneering work in the development of same-sex immigration legislation and policy.
Not all firms handle asylum applications. Note that ‘ V ‘ in the key indicates that one or more team members volunteer their time at UKLGIG asylum support or partnership meetings.
LONDON BY AREA: N – SE – W – WC – NW – SW – EC – E
UK BY AREA: THAMES VALLEY – MIDLANDS – E.ANGLIA – NORTH EAST – NORTH WEST – SCOTLAND – N.IRELAND
| Wilson LLP Solicitors | www.wilsonllp.co.uk |
| 697 High Road Tottenham London N7 8AD Tel: 020 8808 7535 |
* Matthew Davies * James Elliott * Ana Gonzalez |
| Key: V CH A2 ILPA* 🌈 £-£££(F) [*Trainer] Legal Aid |
Specialists in same-sex work with 20 years experience. Fixed fees available. Listed in Chambers and Legal 500 as leaders in immigration law. Gay solicitors available. Stonewall Award winner. |
| Luqmani Thompson | www.luqmanithompson.com |
| 77/79 High Road Wood Green London N22 6BB Tel: 020 8365 7800 |
* Sally Thompson * Jawaid Luqmani Milla Walker |
| Key: CH A2 ILPA* ££-££££(F) [*Trainer] Legal Aid |
The firm undertakes a mixture of private client and legal aid work |
| Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP | www.gryklaw.com |
| 140 Lower Marsh London SE1 7AE Tel: 020 7401 6887 |
* Wesley Gryk * Barry O’Leary * Alison Hunter * Diana Baxter Elizabeth Ruddick Amy Bennett Nath Gbikpi Anjana Daniel Sonia Cala-Lesina |
| Key: V CH ILPA* 🌈 £-£££££(F) [*Trainer] |
Listed in Chambers Guide 2017 as one of London’s four leading practices, the firm is widely acknowledged for its expertise in representing LGBT clients with immigration and asylum matters. |
| Magrath LLP Solicitors | www.magrath.co.uk |
| 66/67 Newman Street London W1T 3EQ Tel: 020 7495 3003 |
Ben Sheldrick |
| Key: CH 🌈 ££££-£££££ (F) |
Young dynamic practice in London’s West End. Friendly team of immigration lawyers with expertise in same-sex applications, naturalisation, UK and global immigration requirements. |
| Bindmans LLP | www.bindmans.com |
| 275 Gray’s Inn Road London WC1X 8HB Tel: 020 7833 4433 |
* Alison Stanley * Liz Barratt * Emma Cohen * Ashley Fleming |
| Key: V CH ILPA* ££££ [*Trainer] Legal Aid |
We have extensive experience of working with LGBT clients, providing expert advice in immigration matters, on relationships and parenting, challenging discrimination in employment and other legal issues. |
| Bishop & Sewell LLP (incorporating Fisher Meredith) |
www.bishopandsewell.co.uk |
| 59-60 Russell Square London WC1B 4HP Tel: [MK] 020 7091 2731 [KH] 020 7091 2879 |
Mariam Khaliq Karma Hickman |
| Key: V CH ILPA £££-£££££ (F) |
Friendly team of specialist immigration lawyers with experience of handling a wide range of same sex immigration and nationality cases. Chambers and Legal 500 listed central London firm. |
| Danielle Cohen Solicitors | www.daniellecohenimmigration.com |
| 14 Lawfords Wharf Lyme Street Camden NW1 0SF Tel: 020 7267 4133 |
Danielle Cohen Imani Brooks |
| Key: A2 £££££ (F) |
Niche firm of specialist Immigration & Human Rights Solicitors. Danielle Cohen has over 20 years’ experience as an Immigration Lawyer and a reputation for offering professional, honest, expert advice, with extensive experience and a wide client base in relation to same-sex couples. Our tailor-made and thoroughly researched applications have resulted in a high success rate. |
| Cardinal Hume Centre | www.cardinalhumecentre.org.uk |
| 3-7 Arneway Street London SW1P 2BG Tel: 020 7222 1602 |
Debbie Adler Macca Teclehaimanot |
| Key: A2 NFP Legal Aid |
We accept referrals from UKLGIG and are experienced in handling sexuality cases. We have a legal aid contract to do immigration work. We are a charity and act in non legally-aided cases without charge. |
| Bates Wells | www.bateswells.co.uk |
| 10 Queen Street Place London EC4R 1BE Tel: 020 7551 7777 TB (direct): 020 7551 7612 |
* Tim Barnden Katie Dilger Matt James |
| Key: V CH ILPA*🌈 £££££ (F) [*Trainer] |
BatesWells is a full service firm with a small but very highly regarded immigration department headed by Tim Barnden. Tim is well known for his work on LGBTI immigration and asylum. |
| Penningtons Manches LLP | www.penningtons.co.uk |
| Abacus House 33 Gutter Lane London EC2V 8AR Tel: 020 7457 3000 |
* Pat Saini Adam Cotterill |
| Key: CH ILPA* 🌈 ££-£££££ (F) [*Trainer] |
Penningtons’ friendly, specialist team has extensive experience in all aspects of immigration and nationality law and a strong reputation in challenging unfair decisions. |
| Baker Law Solicitors LLP | www.baker-law.co.uk |
| Eldon Chambers Falcon Court 30-32 Fleet Street London EC4Y 1AA Tel: 020 7842 0800 |
Susan Marziano |
| Key: A2 ££-£££££ (F) |
Progressive and diverse City firm. We are committed to serving the LGBT community with our unique personal service. We have an excellent success rate in immigration and asylum matters. Specialist expertise in LGBT asylum claims. Further expertise in family & commercial litigation. |
| Arona St James Solicitors | www.AronaStJames.co.uk |
| 63 St James St London E17 7PJ Tel: 020 3757 8670 M: 07782 170925 |
Arona Sarwar Jamil Dhanji |
| Key: ILPA 🌈 ££-£££ (F) |
Specialist immigration & asylum practice. Arona Sarwar has 18 years experience handling LGBT matters, and handles both Personal and Corporate Immigration issues. Jamil Dhanji is an experienced barrister, specialising in immigration, asylum and EEA cases. Professional, responsive and friendly team. |
| Elder Rahimi Solicitors | www.elderrahimi.co.uk |
| Norvin House 45-55 Commercial Street London E1 6BD Tel: 020 7377 6600 |
Annette Elder |
| Key: CH A2 £ (F) Legal Aid |
| Hackney Community Law Centre | www.hclc.org.uk |
| 8 Lower Clapton Road London E5 0PD Tel: 020 8985 5236 |
Contact |
| Key: A2 🌈 Legal Aid |
Not for profit charity providing free legal advice in social welfare and immigration law. Approachable gay friendly staff. |
| Owens Stevens Solicitors | www.owensstevens.org.uk |
| 28 Downs Road Clapton London E5 8DS Tel: 020 8986 7555 |
Yvonne Stevens |
| Key: A2 ILPA £-££ (F) |
Extensive experience in dealing with same sex applications – proposed civil partnership visas & extensions, asylum. Also points based system and complicated scenarios. Honest, practical, sympathetic advice. Reasonable fees. |
| Turpin & Miller LLP | www.turpinmiller.co.uk |
| 1 Agnes Court Oxford Road Cowley Oxford OX4 2EW Tel: 01865 770 111 |
* Philip Turpin Jo Renshaw Tom Giles |
| Key: CH ILPA* ££-££££(F) [*Trainer] Legal Aid |
We have a large and friendly team covering all aspects of immigration, PBS and asylum work, including appeals to the Tribunal and Higher Courts. |
| Turpin & Miller LLP | www.turpinmiller.co.uk |
| 58 St Mary’s Butts Reading Berks RG1 2LG Tel: 0118 958 1000 |
See contact details for the Oxford Office above |
| Key: CH A2 ILPA* 🌈 ££-££££(F) [*Trainer] Legal Aid |
We have a large and friendly team covering all aspects of immigration, PBS and asylum work, including appeals to the Tribunal and Higher Courts. |
| TRP Solicitors | www.trpsolicitors.co.uk |
| 12 George Road Edgbaston Birmingham B15 1NP Tel: 0121 616 4700 |
Margaret Finch Sean McLoughlin Personal Assistants |
| Key: CH A2 A3 ££ (F) Legal Aid |
Specialist immigration practice with strong human rights focus. We have brought a number of leading cases on family life rights. |
| Gross & Co. Solicitors | www.gross.co.uk |
| 84 Guildhall Street Bury St. Edmunds Suffolk IP33 1LN Tel: 01284 763333 |
Graeme Kirk Sohan Sidhu Naomi Ogo |
| Key: CH ILPA £££££ |
We have 35 years of specialised experience in all aspects of UK immigration law and have dealt with many cases for the LGBT community. |
| Carter Thomas Solicitors | www.carterthomas.co.uk @ct_law |
| Electric Works Sheffield Digital Campus Sheffield S1 2BJ Tel: 0114 286 6310 M: 07956 313 508 |
* Nichola Carter Jessica Taylor |
| Key: CH ILPA* 🌈 ££-£££££ (F) [*Trainer] |
Nichola Carter has worked with UKLGIG for over 15 years. The firm is listed in The Legal 500 and offers a free initial telephone consultation or a one-hour meeting/application review service at a fixed fee of £80 plus VAT. |
| Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit | www.gmiau.org |
| 1, Delaunays Road Manchester M8 4QS Tel: 0161 740 7722 (Ref “UKLGIG website”) |
Please submit all email enquiries and referrals to referrals@gmiau.org |
| Key: A2 ILPA NFP Legal Aid only |
For details of how to access our services please telephone our reception on 0161 740 7722 for details of advice sessions we are currently running. |
| Latitude Law | www.latitudelaw.com |
| 6th Fl, St James Building 79 Oxford Street Manchester M1 6FQ Tel: 0161 234 6800 Also at: 6th Floor, Horton House Exchange Flags Liverpool L2 3PF Tel: 0151 305 9600 |
* Gary McIndoe * Shara Pledger Gemma Wylie Natasha Willett Joel Reiss Sarah Goodwin |
| Key: CH ILPA* A2 🌈 ££-£££££ |
Manchester-based private practice specialising in all aspects of immigration, asylum and human rights law. We have particular expertise with fresh protection claims raising LGBTQI+ issues, and advising on ID & documentation issues for trans clients. |
| Broudie Jackson Canter | www.broudiejacksoncanter.co.uk |
| 27 Dale Street Liverpool L2 3HD Tel: 0151 282 1961 Also at: 111 Piccadilly Manchester M1 2HY Tel: 0161 468 1234 |
Madhu Walker Jackie Mason Gordon Irving George Madubuike Caroline Clark |
| Key: A2 🌈 ££ (F) Legal Aid |
North West law firm specialising in Immigration and Asylum & Human Rights. One of the largest Immigration teams in Liverpool and Manchester to offer legal aid and privately paid services. |
| Gray & Co. | |
| 16 Bilsland Drive Glasgow G20 9TH Tel: 0141 946 7777 |
Email us * Charles McGinley Graeme Paton |
| Key: CH ILPA* ££ (F) [*Trainer] |
Our company deals with all aspects of immigration, and we have been doing so for over 20 years. |