UK Visas and Immigration System Hit By Outage! What are the Implications and Solutions?
Yesterday’s (08/05/2025) UKVI system outage created significant challenges for visa applicants, particularly those with imminent expiration dates. As an experienced immigration lawyer, I’ve seen first hand how technical failures can have life-altering consequences for those navigating the UK’s immigration process. Understanding Yesterday’s UKVI System Failure The UK Visas and Immigration online application portal experienced a […]
UK-India Trade Deal Announced – What Does it Mean for Business and Immigration?
The recently concluded UK-India Trade Deal marks a significant milestone in the post-Brexit era, offering substantial opportunities for businesses and professionals in both nations. The deal marks the biggest trade agreement by the UK with another country since Brexit, while India described it as “the most comprehensive free trade deal” that it had entered into. […]
The Case of XW and the Importance of a Medico Legal Report
We recently represented a client in an asylum appeal where the appeal was allowed on Refugee Convention grounds. However, this was not without difficulties. Keep reading to learn more about the case and the importance of a medico legal report. Limited time to prepare the case When our client first approached us, there was roughly […]
Landlord and Leasehold Certificates – What Are They?
The Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022) introduced leaseholder protection measures to ensure the safety of high-rise residential buildings. The government has committed to protecting leaseholders from the unfair burden of remediation costs to make their home safe. This article outlines the key components of landlord and leaseholder certificates, both of which are important terminology […]
A Legal Guide to Selling Freehold Commercial Properties
Freehold commercial properties are often sold in two forms: vacant and subject to leases. In each scenario, there are important aspects to consider, including marketability, planning permissions, disclosure obligations, VAT implications, and statutory compliances. It is difficult to say which type of property is more popular on the market. A vacant property provides flexibility for […]
Court of Appeal Emphasises that Unlawful Presence Undermines Article 8 Claims
In a significant judgment, the Court of Appeal criticised the First-tier Tribunal (FtT) for allowing an appeal on family and private life grounds, despite the appellant’s prolonged unlawful residence in the United Kingdom. The Court held that the FtT has failed to properly consider the weight that should be given to immigration status when assessing […]
What do you need to be aware of when you buy a leasehold property with a mortgage?
When applying for a mortgage on a leasehold property, lenders apply stringent scrutiny to the terms of the lease and focus on the safety documents of the property. Below are some of the most common – and often overlooked – issues that can delay or render your mortgage application to be rejected when buying a […]
Restoring a Company by Applying for a Court Order
Recently, several clients approached us with a common concern: they had voluntarily dissolved their companies, only to later realize there were unresolved matters left behind. In particular, they had discovered that their company bank accounts still held funds, or that there were outstanding contracts, assets, or obligations requiring attention. This situation, while stressful, is not […]
Victory at the Border: Student Secures Compensation After Unlawful Detention
Imagine arriving in a new country, ready to start your studies, only to be detained at the airport and almost sent back home. That’s what happened to a student named Tazeem at London’s Heathrow Airport. His story led to a court case and a lesson about fairness and justice. The case we are discussing today, […]
Understanding Remortgaging: What It Is and Why It Might Be Right for You
What is Remortgaging? Put simply, remortgaging is replacing your current mortgage with a new one. This could be through a different lender (known as an external remortgage) or a new deal with your current lender (known as an internal remortgage). Many homeowners consider remortgaging when their fixed-rate mortgage term is ending—usually after two or five […]