Burness Paull LLP brings a wealth of expertise in immigration, asylum, and nationality law, serving both public and private sector clients. The group handles visa and sponsorship management matters for football clubs, assists energy clients with the employment of EU staff post-Brexit, and supports families in relocating to the UK following overseas adoptions. The practice is led by Grace McGill from Edinburgh, an expert in inter-country adoption and corporate immigration. Jamie Kerr‘s experience includes representing overseas governments. The team also features senior associates Amna Ashraf, specialising in family migration, and Vincent Chung, who advises HR staff and senior management on the recruitment of foreign nationals. Nikki Weir no longer practices within the firm’s immigration department.
Immigration in Scotland
Burness Paull LLP
Practice head(s):
Grace McGill
Other key lawyers:
Jamie Kerr; Nikki Weir; Amna Ashraf; Vincent Chung
Testimonials
‘With unparalleled knowledge, they deliver practical advice in an easy-to-understand way that is straightforward to implement. They will handhold if necessary.’
‘Jamie Kerr has a really thorough knowledge of the market. He has a great network he can bring to the table to ensure a fully comprehensive solution is available for issues. Grace McGill takes the time to understand all issues at play so that immigration advice is appropriate for the business needs and is not given in isolation.’
‘They have strong expert knowledge, including on recent case law, allowing them to keep us informed of any changes.’
‘They are interested in our business and how they can help us. They are engaging, have industry-leading knowledge, and are extremely supportive.’
‘The team in itself is quite brilliant. You can tell they communicate between each other. Always engaging and always delivering at a moment’s notice.’
‘Working with Amna Ashraf is a pleasure. She is well-informed about our situation and always comes over prepared to our meetings, which gives us a full sense of confidence. She is a brilliant immigration lawyer.’
‘The team is very helpful and knowledgeable and always does the work to a high standard.’
‘Amna Ashraf is very knowledgeable at what she does and very professional at her work. Highly recommended.’
Key clients
Arnold Clark
Macdonald Hotels
SSE plc
Al – Maktoum College
Plexus
Noble Drilling UK Ltd
Queen’s Park Football Club
Single Cask
Accelalpha Europe Ltd
The Renaissance Club
Scottish Football Association
The Association of Chartered Accountants
Archdiocese of St Andrews and Edinburgh
Hibernian Football Club
Work highlights
- Served as General Counsel for The Renaissance Club at Archerfield LLP, handling all global mobility requirements for the golf venue hosting the Genesis Scottish Open.
- Advised Macdonald Hotels Limited on all aspects of global mobility and international recruitment.
- Supported the Scottish Football Association with all immigration requirements for international sportspeople.
Drummond Miller LLP
Drummond Miller LLP stands out for its extensive experience in immigration litigation and expertise in personal migration issues. Leading the team is David Brown
, whose practice covers all facets of immigration, nationality, human rights, and EU law. Janey Armstrong provides advice to corporate clients on business immigration matters, while Humphrey Ndubuisi is adept at handling appeals at the First-Tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal, and also presents cases at the Court of Session. Meanwhile, Sarah Jack concentrates on immigration, nationality, and asylum law, serving the private and third sectors.
Practice head(s):
David Brown
Other key lawyers:
Janey Armstrong; Humphrey Ndubuisi; Sarah Jack; Anna Rani
Testimonials
‘The immigration team could not have been more attentive or supportive during our Spousal Visa application. The team was hugely responsive to both emails and calls and was very quick to put us at ease and help us to get through the application process.’
‘Sarah Jack was always very quick to respond to any and all contact with us. No question was overlooked or seen as an inconvenience.’
‘The team is all extremely knowledgeable and quick to respond. Applications are time-sensitive and it was important for us to receive quick responses and Drummond Miller LLP delivered this service.’
‘Once I contacted Drummond Miller LLP, they immediately set up a free call and took their time, no rush, to learn about our situation and then explained our options.’
‘With 25 years of experience, they provide practical and concise advice through rigorous attention to detail, an innovative approach to problem-solving, and the dedication of a hardworking team led by the most experienced lawyers in Scotland.’
‘My lawyer listened to me very carefully. In our conversations, they were friendly and open to discussion and also I felt that they were showing empathy for my situation. From the start to the end of our applications, we always felt their support in their manners.’
‘The team is very committed to their clients. They have a strong knowledge of immigration law. ’
‘The partner identified what the weak part of the application was and worked to make it the strongest possible.’
Work highlights
- Advised a hospitality business on the maintenance of its sponsor licence following changes in organisation structure.
- Assisted a group of 27 individuals to successfully challenge cancellations of their leave following allegations of working in breach of visa conditions.
- Represented an appellant in a successful appeal before the Immigration Tribunal, challenging the refusal of a complex EUSS application on the grounds of dependency.
Morton Fraser MacRoberts
Morton Fraser MacRoberts is frequently sought out by corporate clients for assistance with relocating key staff to the UK, showcasing notable expertise in business immigration matters such as compliance, suspensions, and sponsor license applications. The firm also handles personal immigration matters for private clients. The team is led by Stuart McWilliams, who advises on Skilled Worker compliance issues and visa applications for partners of British nationals under Appendix FM. Additionally, Nadia Watson offers expertise to EU nationals seeking to secure their long-term status in the UK and also assists spouses of high-net-worth individuals.
Practice head(s):
Stuart McWilliams
Other key lawyers:
Nadia Watson; Averil Trimble
Testimonials
‘Prompt response, always willing to assist with any issues, and provide very clear and concise information. They always make us feel that we are their priority client.’
‘All of the team members are great and are always on hand to assist and willing to go the extra mile. Stuart McWilliams is always on hand to provide support, which is always detailed and clear so we can support our clients.’
‘Prompt turnaround of advice. Always manage my expectations. An email is always acknowledged so you know the response is being worked on.’
Key clients
Skyscanner Limited
Altair Global Services
Axis Productions
Pryor Cashman
Dukosi Limited
Startline Motor Finance
PinPoint Media
GLO Europe
Jas Forwarding (UK) Ltd
Red Rock Power Ltd
Work highlights
- Acted for Skyscanner in relation to all UK visa applications for skilled staff, and advising on sponsor compliance practice.
- Acting on behalf of a global relocation industry client, to handle all visa applications for a large global satellite manufacturing firm.
- Advising a US law firm, on behalf of their client, in relation to sponsor compliance matters for staff being seconded to a 3rd party.
Brodies LLP
Brodies LLP‘s immigration division is an integral part of the firm’s broader employment practice, specialising in business immigration with deep sectoral knowledge that spans financial services, universities, the offshore wind sector, and tech businesses. Tony Hadden oversees the wider employment and immigration department, while Elaine McIlroy spearheads the immigration team, advising businesses on visa applications, compliance issues, and the handling of civil penalties. Additionally, Erin McLafferty supports employers with migrant worker sponsorship and assists individuals with applications for British nationality, indefinite leave to remain, and the EU settlement scheme.
Practice head(s):
Elaine McIlroy; Tony Hadden
Other key lawyers:
Erin McLafferty
Testimonials
‘A collaborative team, with seamless teamwork that enables them to always answer and understand client’s needs.’
‘Always helpful with a solution to any query or issue.’
‘Full legal knowledge and always back-up whenever an individual is out of office.’
‘Full legal knowledge and always very reactive.’
‘Always helpful with a solution to any query or issue.’
Work highlights
Harper Macleod LLP
Harper Macleod LLP assists private individuals through their immigration journey, from first entry to British citizenship, and supports corporations with sponsor licensing permissions and compliance. Bruce Caldow oversees the immigration practice, where Ashley Fleming is the main point of contact, an ‘innovative and pragmatic’ senior associate whose practice encompasses all aspects of immigration, nationality, and asylum law. Fleming collaborates closely with the firm’s dispute resolution department to defend judicial review claims for public sector clients and works with the family law practice on matters such as divorce and prenuptial agreements that involve immigration considerations.
Practice head(s):
Bruce Caldow
Other key lawyers:
Ashley Fleming; Elizabeth Basi
Testimonials
‘Ashley Fleming is innovative and pragmatic .’
‘Rapid and comprehensive responses.’
‘Ashley Fleming has been very helpful with my enquiry and I am very happy with the communication and working with her. She is very professional in her field.’
‘The immigration team at Harper Macleod is professional and proficient.’
‘Ashley Fleming is thorough, efficient, and easy to work with. She has great attention to detail.’
Work highlights
Shepherd and Wedderburn
The immigration practice at Shepherd and Wedderburn, led by John Vassiliou, assists both employers and individuals with global mobility issues. The firm assists companies in navigating the complexities of recruiting foreign skilled workers, understanding visa requirements, and ensuring compliance with sponsor regulations. In addition to representing clients at the Court of Session, the UK Supreme Court, and the European Court of Human Rights, Vassiliou also specialises in sports immigration law, offering advice on international football player transfers and managing right-to-work verifications for international recruits at domestic events.
Practice head(s):
John Vassiliou
Other key lawyers:
Jack Freeland
Testimonials
‘John Vassiliou has an extremely broad and detailed knowledge of immigration law.’
‘John Vassiliou is extremely experienced and competent. He provides ad hoc support, responding to individual queries and providing legal updates regarding the ever-shifting legal landscape, particularly in relation to the Ukraine Schemes.’
‘John Vassiliou and Jack Freeland make an enviable team of immigration specialists. They are both highly professional, astute and thorough in their legal approaches. I would highly recommend them both.’
‘The holistic approach John Vassiliou brings to immigration issues is very unique and I always come away with a better-informed view on the question I have in mind. John’s understanding of the limitations of the current immigration rules is invaluable.’
‘John Vassiliou is one of the best immigration practitioners in the country. Smart, creative and hard-working, he gets fantastic results even in the toughest of cases. His clients are lucky to have him.’
‘They respond immediately. They are polite and help you understand the challenges, offering options to your case. They advise on expectations and solutions. They work as a team ’
‘Shepherd and Wedderburn is a multi-service Scottish-headquartered firm, operating throughout the UK. They offer an extremely responsive service to clients, and give honest and pragmatic advice to clients.’
‘John Vassiliou is recommended.’
Work highlights
- Acted for a professional football club in the Scottish Premiership, advising on sponsorship and visa applications for the club’s international player signings.
- Acted for a global computer game development company as representatives on the company’s sponsor licence since May 2019, to provide sponsor licence compliance advice and assist with applications for the company’s sponsored workers.
- Provided immigration advice to a number of Russell Group universities.
Thorntons
The immigration and visas unit at Thorntons Law LLP, working closely with the wider employment team led by Noele McClelland, assists businesses with right to work checks, sponsor license application policies, and employment conditions for sponsored staff. Consultant Jacqueline Moore serves as a key point of contact, offering ‘unparalleled’ expertise in sponsorship issues to clients in the higher education, hospitality, and IT sectors.
Practice head(s):
Noele McClelland
Other key lawyers:
Jacqueline Moore; Louise Crichton; Gurjit Pal
Testimonials
‘Louise Crichton is fabulous. Always available, ensures we get what we are looking to obtain, and keeps us updated on the progress of queries.’
‘What makes the practice unique is the diverse and inclusive knowledge and skills of the team.’
‘Jacqueline Moore’s experience and knowledge in her field are second to none. She is a formidable leader in her field and would not hesitate to recommend her to others.’
Key clients
Sense Scotland
Elite Control Systems Limited
Strathberry
Work highlights
- Provided immigration advice and training to Sense Scotland.
- Advised Elite Control Systems Ltd. on sponsor licence.
- Provided Strathberry with Skilled Worker visa and employment advice.
TLT
TLT focuses exclusively on corporate immigration, assisting UK and international companies on sponsor licenses, visa applications, and immigration issues arising from TUPE transfers and M&A. The practice is headed by Glasgow-based Joanne Hennessy, who is notably experienced in the energy sector and advises on immigration regulations for seamen and offshore windfarm workers.
Practice head(s):
Joanne Hennessy
Testimonials
‘The immigration team is able to walk you through complex immigration rules and make it easier to understand.’
‘Joanne Hennessy provides an excellent service across all aspects of immigration.’
‘TLT has provided excellent service and support. TLT is transparent, knowledgeable and flexible and it’s clear that they care about the business and people they support.’
‘Joanne Hennessy made us feel very well looked after. She is responsive, knowledgeable, efficient and friendly and I fully trust the team.’
Key clients
Oberon Solutions
Savills plc
WH Smith Plc
Freeway Insurance Services Limited
Anglian Water
Wiredscore UK Limited
South West Water
Procentia Limited
Aviagen UK Limited
Tribus Clean Energy
Work highlights
- Provided compliance training to Anglian Water on the prevention of illegal working and sponsorship compliance.
- Supported Aviagen UK Limited on a variety of immigration matters, including multiple skilled worker sponsorship and visa applications.
- Provided WiredScore UK Limited with full support with two skilled worker applications.