Gülay Mehmet Solicitors

Based in central London, this firm has built a national and international reputation as a leading provider of immigration and nationality advice, as well as human rights, asylum, extradition and related European law expertise. The firm is known particularly for its expertise in football-related matters and also acts for a wide range of businesses and individuals.

The firm: Gülay  Mehmet Solicitors was founded in 2006 by Gülay y Mehmet, the sole principal. At that time she was in the almost unique position of having gone from working in the voluntary sector, and a law firm specialising in publicly funded work, to joining Penningtons with the remit of developing its business immigration practice. Within a year, she and Penningtons were listed as leaders in this area of law. Gülay  Mehmet went on to join Reed Smith LLP before establishing Gülay  Mehmet Solicitors, which since its inception has been recognised as a leader in all aspects of immigration and nationality work.

The firm has benefited from many referrals from senior lawyers and other professionals. Its clients range from small and medium-sized enterprises to FTSE and international companies, Premier League and international football clubs, and high-profile footballers as well as other individuals. It carries out some pro bono work in advising individuals in general immigration matters.

The practice provides a highly personalised service and a bespoke approach, tailored to the individual needs of a case to reach the required result. It operates with great integrity in sensitive matters, combining expert technical knowledge with a robust approach and an ability to get things done. It is able to think outside the box to achieve successful results where other firms have failed.

Gülay  Mehmet is a regular contributor to training courses on immigration and nationality and handles numerous media enquiries on these topics. She has appeared before the House of Commons Home Committee and the House of Lords Select Committee on immigration law issues.

As well as being a former assistant director of the Joint Council for Welfare of Immigrants, she was chair of the Law Society Immigration Committee from 2006-09 and is a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association as well as of the International Bar Association and the UK Border Agency International Division Stakeholders Committee.

Types of work undertaken: Gülay  Mehmet has built a thriving practice based on the crossover of immigration law and Football Association, Premier League and FIFA regulations, including acting for a number of high-profile football players. Many are originally from African countries. The firm acted for Abdul Razak, who was born in Ivory Coast, in a successful challenge to the UK Border Agency’s decision to refuse extension of leave on human rights grounds. The case concerned respect for private and family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights. Roberto Mancini, the Manchester City manager, publicly congratulated those involved in the case for ‘a lot of hard work behind the scenes’.

In acting for footballers and other clients, the practice knows how to move rapidly to ensure that they are able to meet sudden travel and other commitments. It also takes a longer term view where necessary, so that indefinite leave to remain in the UK can for example be followed at a later date by a successful application for citizenship.

The practice carries out immigration and nationality work for a wide variety of businesses. Following a referral from a leading City law firm, it acted successfully on behalf of a hedge fund that had had a business visitor refusal. It also has a successful track record in extradition and asylum cases, including on behalf of prominent Turkish nationals, as well as general matters involving movement across European borders. The firm has extensive experience of handling appeals and judicial review proceedings.

As a result of its growing reputation and increasing volume of work, Gülay  Mehmet looks forward to further expansion. It is currently seeking high-calibre fee-earners.