A major law firm has launched a new team which aims to rescue people who have become lost in the “immigration maze”.
Simpson Millar has hired two immigration solicitors and a legal adviser, who will run a service for individuals and families seeking to work, visit or integrate into the UK. The immigration team will offer advice on immigration, asylum and nationality law from the firm’s Leeds, Manchester and London offices.
The new team includes Sumita Gupta, who qualified as a solicitor in 2001, and specialises in immigration law. As head of Simpson Millar’s immigration team, she will provide advice on all areas of immigration and public law.
The team also includes Arif Khalfe and legal adviser, Bhavini Bhatt. Together, they will be helping foreign nationals and overseas workers to cope with the complexities of the UK immigration system.
The immigration team will represent people who have a right to enter or remain in the UK, as well as business people who are seeking to recruit staff. Ms Gupta said this week: “Whether you are seeking to work, study or join family members in the UK, being refused entry by the Border Agency or being ordered to leave when you have a legal right to remain in the country, can be frustrating. Often, these decisions are ill-informed and in breach of people’s basic human rights.
“Having the correct representation when seeking to extend leave, or appeal a refusal decision, can make a significant difference.
“Getting stuck in the immigration maze can make anyone feel vulnerable or financially out of pocket, and we are here to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
On the commercial side, Simpson Millar’s immigration team will help with applications from business visitors, skilled workers, investors and entrepreneurs, as well as applications submitted on behalf of temporary and charitable workers. Ms Bhatt added yesterday: “Immigration laws are growing increasingly complicated, and many people need help to ensure their stay in the UK is legal.
“I am passionate about finding pragmatic solutions for my clients and making sure the final outcome is what they were hoping for.”
Mr Khalfe, a commercial litigator and immigration solicitor, has carved out a niche helping skilled workers. He added: “Immigration advice is often needed urgently, and with great attention to detail, so that is what I make an effort to provide; no nonsense and swift action.”
Businesses that have been fined following a raid on their premises by the Border Agency can seek help from the new team at Simpson Millar. In some cases, they may be able to negotiate down fines imposed for employing overseas nationals without the right documents.
Ms Gupta will be based in Simpson Millar’s Manchester office, while Ms Bhatt will be based in London and Mr Khalfe in Leeds. The company has almost 300 dedicated staff over their eleven UK locations in nine cities.
