How to choose an immigration solicitor
top London immigration solicitors read in the news that recently three people have been convicted of criminal offences relating to providing migrants with incompetent and unsupervised Immigration advice. The three were found guilty of providing unqualified Immigration advice and/or services in contravention of section 91 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) initially investigated the crimes. In essence, the defendants operated a legal services firm that advertised its ability to supervise Immigration advisors without the Immigration advisors requiring regulation from the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner.
It is often said that you get what you pay for. However, in this case, the vulnerable migrants paid and lost out. The legal services firm operated by two of the three defendants is said to have earned in the region of 17 million. The millions were made through supervision of Immigration advisors under a franchising model that enabled the legal services firm to take twenty percent of the turnover of the Immigration firms that they purported to supervise. Complaints against the defendants included migrants being encouraged by franchised unqualified Immigration advisors to lie to the Home Office and unsupervised Immigration staff making basic errors.
The best London immigration solicitors hate to see Immigration solicitors in the news for all the wrong reasons. Migrants are particularly vulnerable to exploitation so it is vital that they get expert legal advice from trustworthy and regulated solicitors.
How can OTS Solicitors help?
If you are concerned about your Immigration status or need expert legal advice about your visa options or advice on how to challenge a Home Office decision, speak to London based OTS Solicitors.
The law directory, Legal 500 recommends OTS Solicitors for Immigration law. OTS Solicitors also have Law Society accredited solicitors status as trusted specialists in Immigration law.
For expert Immigration law advice please call us on 0203 959 9123 to arrange an appointment to speak to one of our experienced London immigration solicitors.
How to choose an Immigration solicitor
All the top London immigration solicitors read stories of sham Immigration solicitors or unsupervised Immigration advisors with horror as it gives all Immigration solicitors a bad name. However, when you are presented with lots of choices when you google “top London Immigration solicitor”, how do you choose an Immigration solicitor that you can trust?
If you are looking for a London Immigration solicitor, you should check that:
The Law Society of England and Wales has accredited the law firm
All firms of solicitors in England and Wales should be:
• Registered with the Law Society. The Law Society keeps a record of all solicitor firms and all individual solicitors and their Law Society accreditations;
• Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
These two professional bodies oversee the legal profession in England. The two organizations set rigorous standards that all solicitors have to follow and investigate complaints if a solicitor firm is not able to resolve a complaint direct with a client.
Importantly for individuals requiring Immigration advice the Law Society operates an accreditation scheme for Immigration and Asylum law. If a solicitor firm holds an accreditation this demonstrates that they have knowledge and skill in Immigration law.
The law firm is ranked in Legal 500
Many solicitors profess expertise in areas of law but if a law firm is ranked in the leading law directory, The Legal 500, it is an indication that the firm is highly rated in a particular area of law.
The Legal 500 is a directory of leading law firms and lawyers. The top London immigration solicitors only receive a ranking in the Legal 500 if their expertise is rated by the independent organisations after interviews and after references are taken up.
The law firm specialises in Immigration law and has the relevant experience
Immigration law is one of the most complicated areas of law. That is because there are a vast number of complex Immigration laws and rules that are subject to frequent change. The best London immigration solicitors need to know about all the latest developments in case law and the most effective ways to present Immigration applications to the Home Office to maximise the prospects of a successful visa application, Asylum claim or Human Rights case.
top London immigration solicitors will not only know the latest Immigration law but they will able to put you in contact with the right experts because of their contacts and experience. For example, they will be able to identify and instruct a specialist barrister for an Immigration tribunal or court case, a business consultant to help with a business plan and preparation for submission of a business visa, a child psychologist for help with some types of family immigration applications.
In addition to contacts in the UK, the best London immigration solicitors will also have international connections so that, if necessary, they can get advice or information from lawyers based overseas in support of your Immigration application or tribunal case.
The law firm has a team of specialist Immigration solicitors
Most people want to speak to their Immigration solicitor rather than a team of people. That is why it can be off putting to be told that a top London immigration solicitors firm has specialist teams of people to handle your enquiry.
The best London immigration solicitors know that Immigration law is a very personal area of law and that people want to speak to the same advisor. That gives you continuity and trust. However, it is important that there is a team in the background as often applications have to be submitted urgently, research is needed, or support is required from an in-house barrister or paralegal. That is why it is so important that a team of support staff and professionals is on hand to help your specialist Immigration solicitor.
The Immigration solicitor and their firm is professional but friendly
When you speak to a top London Immigration solicitor you should get a feel about whether or not you will be able to work with them and have confidence in how they will handle your case.
A London Immigration solicitor that talks in legal jargon and does not listen to you is unlikely to gain your trust and confidence. However, you do need a professional who will advise you on your legal options, the costs involved of taking a particular action, and the prospects of success in an easy to understand way and in a courteous, friendly manner.
Reviews
Reviews on a firm website or google reviews can be helpful but even the best London immigration solicitors would recommend that you do not choose your Immigration solicitor based on reviews alone.
The most important thing when looking for a top London Immigration solicitor is to look at all of these tips for finding an Immigration solicitor that you can work with.
If the Immigration law firm you would like to instruct is accredited and ranked in legal directories and appears to have the necessary expertise, then pick up the phone and speak to them to get a feel for the solicitor and the firm.
Do not be afraid to ask questions about the solicitor’s experience or the time that they think it will take to help you. That is because choosing a solicitor to resolve an Immigration law issue is potentially one of the most important decisions that you will make so the best advice is to take your time and do your research to get the decision right.
How can OTS Solicitors help?
OTS Solicitors are recommended for Immigration law in the Legal 500. OTS Solicitors have Law Society accredited solicitors status as trusted specialists in Immigration law.