The Guildford-based practice at Stevens & Bolton LLP has extensive experience in business immigration, particularly skilled worker, senior or specialist worker applications, as well as acting in personal immigration on spousal and student applications. The firm also acts as Level 1 Users for a number of clients and regularly advises on sponsorship routes, as well as carrying out sponsor licence audits and sponsorship issues following corporate restructures and any related compliance matters. Kerry Garcia leads the employment, immigration and pensions practice and managing associate Jackie Penlington offers ‘extensive knowledge’ across UK immigration matters, predominantly acting in relation to sponsor licence applications.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘In relation to immigration, the team have always been helpful, arranging meetings and picking urgent matters up promptly and jumping in to help in Jackie's absence.’
‘I have mainly worked with Jackie Penlington. Key projects include setting up a new Sponsorship License following the sale of our company and several Skilled Worker Visa applications. She has offered extensive knowledge in the field and continues to give valuable advice but has also helped us learn and manage more and more of the process internally. ’
‘The team at Stevens & Bolton are always helpful, always go out of their way to assist, in whatever query you may have. ’
‘Jackie Penlington and the team were wonderful advocates for my immigration case. This is the second time I have invested my time, trust, and money with S&B and was not disappointed. The team was excellent at communicating, while always keeping me abreast of upcoming needs or actions. Junior colleagues were introduced to the team which was welcoming to see this time around.’
‘Jackie Penlington is kind, patient and helpful. Her level of care in her work is high, which allows for a high degree of comfort to be felt. She was very accommodating and flexible, and always willing to answer any questions raised. I valued her time, energy and care she put into my case, and will forever be grateful.’
‘Stevens & Bolton has made work and navigating legal requirements for our UK-based entity easy. They are easy to work with, clear about expectations and tasks, and straightforward (and proactive) so there are no surprises.’
‘The individuals are well-versed in legal requirements and very easy to work with.’
Key clients
- Accord Healthcare Ltd
- Asahi UK Ltd and Asahi Europe & International Ltd
- BMI Group Holdings UK Ltd and BMI Group UK Ltd
- Codestone Solutions Ltd
- Graduate Landscapes Ltd
- Nintendo UK
- Papa John’s (GB) Ltd and PJ Corp Stores Ltd
- Quantum Motion Technologies Ltd
- RBB Economics LLP
- Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd
Work highlights
- Advising an international QSR franchise giant on its UK immigration matters and acting as Level 1 Users on its sponsor licences, including advising on the immigration aspects arising from a TUPE transfer of sponsored employees who transferred from franchisee companies to corporate-owned stores.
- Advising Sony in relation to its UK immigration matters, including supporting with a Skilled Worker application for an existing employee switching from the graduate route and an application for a US employee relocating to the UK.
- Advising Asahi UK Ltd and Asahi Europe & International Ltd on all of their UK immigration matters and acting as Level 1 Users on both sponsor licences.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Kerry Garcia