Immigration Personal

We can help you navigate through the myriad of laws / regulations in what is arguably the fastest changing and most challenging area of law in today’s modern world.

Our national and international clientele receive expert advice from our multi-lingual team. We provide practical and comprehensive assistance, from making applications to challenging decisions before the Tribunal and the Courts.

Our specialist areas include:

Applications for family members from both abroad and within the UK
Employment (Tier 2) Visas (for both employer and employee)
Human Rights and Discretionary Leave
EEA application for EEA nationals and their family members
Naturalisation and British passport applications
Long Residence
Student (Tier 4) applications
Judicial challenge before Tribunals and Courts
Bail, Removal/ Detention and Deportation
We also provide same day processing services for specific types of applications at the Home Office.

Douglass Simon Solicitors provides a full range of immigration services from advice and consultation to full representation at competitive rates.

Entry Clearance
If you wish to come to the UK to join a family member, or for a short visit, you may need to apply for an Entry Clearance Visa. At Douglass Simon we have been preparing such applications for over two decades and have an exceptional success rate.

We offer a service of advising and checking all documentation, submitting the relevant application form online, arranging the appointment at the visa application centre abroad, making payments of the fees, completing additional forms and declarations and making representations to the British Embassy. We are there for you every step of the journey.
Spouse/Partner Visas
We have a team of specialists dealing with spouse and partner visas. Our Solicitors will advise you on the procedure and requirements and the options available to you. The Immigration Rules require that a strict criterion is met where income of your sponsor and accommodation as well as your relationship will all be scrutinised.

Our expert solicitors have advised and acted on behalf of clients on many issues including where the income threshold of £18,600 is not met. We have challenged the Home Office and represented clients in the first-tier and Upper Tribunals.
Student Visas
Prospective students are required to satisfy the Points Based System in order to apply for a student visa. There are two types of student categories; adult students covering those over 16 years of age and child students for those aged 4 to 17 years. Under the Points Based System, applicant would need meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules and achieve 40 points.

We are able to assist in all aspect of the process including the initial entry, extensions and variation. We can also provide advice on the general conditions of stay including the right to work in the UK.
Indefinite Leave to Remain
Indefinite Leave to remain which is also known as Permanent Residence is for those individuals who intend to stay in the UK for the foreseeable future. There are several different categories under the Immigration Rules where applicants meet the requirements for settlement in the UK.

The English language and life in the UK requirement must be met by the applicant as well as various other requirements. We are experienced in all of these categories and can advise on the relevant documents, procedure and requirements. We can assist you with your application from the beginning to the end.
Human Rights and Discretionary
We have successfully represented a large number of clients whose applications fall ‘outside’ the Immigrations Rules such as illegal entrants and overstayers. We use a combination of expert knowledge, experience and careful interpretation of the Law to submit representations giving you the best possible chance of success.

We understand the sensitivity of these cases and we have represented clients over two decades with a differing facts and complications. We have represented clients on Human Rights issues and have a high rate of success.
Naturalisation and Registration
There are several ways to become a British Citizen. Some individuals are born as British Citizens and others would need to be registered but most commonly those who have settled in the UK and have resided here lawfully need to apply for Naturalisation. Our team of experts can assist with all citizenship applications including Registration of a child under 18 years.
Detention, Removal and Bail
If you have been detained, our expert Solicitors are able to assist you if you require bail or you are facing removal. We understand that this is a very distressing time for you and your family and we ensure that your case is heard and all of the issues are properly considered.
Appeals and Judicial Review
We at Douglass Simon have a wealth of experience in dealing with appeals and challenging the Home Office at the Tribunals, High Court and Court of Appeal. We ensure that you are advised on the court procedure, you are given the best advice and representation and you succeed on the day of your hearing.

Other Services

Testimonials

“I am grateful to your solicitors [Douglass Simon] for their carefully constructed bundle of documents, their focused and limited grounds, and their cogent argument. These fea

Upper Tribunal Judge Edward Jacobs on an application for Judicial Review

“The notice of appeal shows that the appellant submitted detailed grounds of appeal highlighting how the decision breached her article 8 private life ties… A wealth of d

First Tier Tribunal Judge Phull

“The Appellant’s case is fully particularised in the Grounds of Appeal submitted by the Appellant’s current Solicitors, Douglass Simon.”

and

“I

First-tier Tribunal Judge A. Khawar granting an Appeal based on the income threshold and subsisting relationship under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules

“…it is arguable that the Judge’s reasoning is flawed for the reasons set out in the grounds [prepared by Douglass Simon Solicitors]

Upper Tribunal Judge Allen granting permission to appeal on a complicated asylum matter from the First-tier Tribunal

“…the decision is subjected to detailed analysis…”

Designated Judge of the First-tier Tribunal Digney on an application for permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal on a complicated asylum matter

“As this arguable error of law has been identified [by the appellant’s representative] all the issues raised in the grounds are arguable.”

First-tier Tribunal Judge Osborne in a decision granting permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal as to whether ‘time’ can be a legitimate aim to a proportionality assessment under Article 8(2) of the ECHR

“As [the] grounds make clear…”

Upper Tribunal Judge Eshun in agreeing with our Grounds for Permission to Appeal and granting permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal by finding that the First-tier Tribunal made an error in its approach and interpretation of the EEA (Immigration) Regulations 2006

“In light of the detailed submissions in the skeleton argument upon which I indicated that my preliminary view was favourable…”

Judge of the First-tier Tribunal Roopnarine-Davies in allowing an appeal on a legal point of construction in respect of the Domestic Worker Rules and Statement of Changes HC628;

“The notice of appeal was accompanied by detailed submissions by the Appellant’s solicitors which I have read…
I agree with [their] analysis…”

First-tier Tribunal Judge S J Widdup allowing an appeal in respect of an EEA appeal under the Imm. (EEA) Regulations 2006 and the Secretary of State’s duties on the approach to evidence of exercising Treaty Rights

“The claim [presented by the claimant’s solicitors]…is arguable…based on errors of law and/or reasoning.”

Stephen Morris QC sitting as Deputy High Court Judge in granting permission to apply for Judicial Review in complicated human rights case involving adult siblings and a child alleging sexual abuse

“A plethora of evidence was submitted…”

and

“The Respondent did not have the power to dispose of an application in such a way. Returning documents

Referring to (and agreeing) with our submissions in the Grounds of Appeal (and described orally in proceedings as “innovative”) that the Home Office practice of administratively returning EEA applications on account of insufficient evidence but falling short of making an “EEA decision” in order to bypass the right of appeal in Regulation 26 of the EEA (Imm) Regulations 2006, is unlawful (ultra vires).

“The grounds [submitted by Douglass Simon Solicitors] complain, arguably rightly, that the respondent’s decision to refuse the application and her daughter leave to remain h

Referring to detailed Grounds of Claim on a Judicial Review involving considerations of the child’s best interests under section 55 of the BCIA 2009 Upper Tribunal Judge Perkins considering Grounds of Claim on the papers in relation to an application for permission to apply for Judicial Review

“…a series of energetic submissions made…”

On oral submissions made at a hearing by reference to grounds of application Upper Tribunal Judge Peter Lane in relation to an application for permission to apply for Judicial Review (renewal hearing)

“The applications were submitted with detailed representations and submissions.”

and

“The notices of appeal are supported by grounds which run to 30

Judge of the First-tier Tribunal Hanley sitting in the First-tier Tribunal allowing an appeal which involved human rights factors arising from shortages in the care industry and the historical wrong of operating a system (a Shortage Occupation List) which was ultra vires under section 3(5) of the Immigration Act 1971 (as amended)

“…a good arguable [claim] for both claimants is revealed.”

HH Judge Anthony Thornton QC sitting as a judge in the High Court (Administrative Court) in relation to an application for permission to apply for Judicial Review

“The representations went on to weave a rich tapestry of argument, ranging from Aristotle to Lord Mersey, to the effect that there was space for the application to succeed wit

Immigration Judge M Symes in the First-tier Tribunal in allowing an Appeal which involved consideration of Paragraph EX.1 of Appendix FM, Human Rights and other discretionary factors.

“…very detailed, addressing each point of the Refusal in turn….a key ingredient in the amended grounds of appeal is that the Appellant is treated as a member of [the emplo

First-tier Tirbunal Judge R Sullivan in allowing an appeal on the papers following written submissions which applied the Court of Appeal’s ruling in Nambalat v Taher & Anor [2012] amongst other references to the case-law and policy

“I hope I do Mr. Sowerby’s [Barrister] submissions no disservice if I say that they did not materially add to the detailed and helpful grounds of appeal [prepared by instruc

Upper Tribunal Judge Moulden on an appeal which involved consideration of the Home Office’s policy on ‘evidential flexibility’

“If [the facts] are as asserted [by the appellant’s solicitors]…it is arguable that the decision was infected by a serious want of fairness”

Lord Justice Laws in the Court of Appeal granting permission pursuant to the second appeals test under Upper Tribunal Order 2008 (SI 2008/2834)

“It is the most learned pleading I have ever seen….it is a very serious document.”

Immigration Judge Blake in the First-tier Tribunal on grounds of appeal submitted in relation to Articles 8, 6 and 12 of the ECHR

“….the detailed grounds of claim…display a good knowledge of human rights and immigration law….”

On an application for Judicial Review before the Administrative Court - Mr. Justice Mitting in the Administrative Court

“In well crafted grounds of appeal prepared by the appellant’s solicitors [Douglass Simon]….the representatives were alert to the substitution of that paragraph by

Immigration Judge M. B. Hussain in the First-tier Tribunal

“The…evidence [provided by the appellant’s representative] is most comprehensive….it is carefully set out…”

Immigration Judge JR Devittie in the First-tier Tribunal

“I find that the reasons given by the respondent for refusing the appellant’s application lack any substance and that the same have been adequately and satisfactoril

Immigration Judge Pedro in the First-tier Tribunal

“Detailed grounds of appeal were prepared amounting to 14 pages of the appellant’s bundle….an attempt to explain how this could be made in an entirely innocent way

Immigration Judge Ferguson in the First-tier Tribunal

In dismissing an appeal by the Secretary of State in the Upper Tribunal “….as clear as day that these grounds [by the Secretary of State] are misconceived and should not

Upper Tribunal Judge Kopieczek

“The Appellant’s solicitors have set out at some length and with great force the arguments and the law….I agree with [them]…”

Immigration Judge Graham Campbell in the First-tier Tribunal

In allowing an appeal on a Tier 2 Points Based System matter “….Grounds of Appeal submitted on his behalf by his solicitors, Douglass Simon…are set out over thirteen p

Immigration Judge Sharp of the First-tier Tribunal

“There is…a detailed review of the law…in some considerable detail…”

Immigration Judge Sharp of the First-tier Tribunal

“It is also clear from the case-law in relation to the CCOL…to which Douglass Simon referred in the covering letter to the application that the mere obtaining of the CCO

Judge Randall of the First-tier Tribunal

“The appellant’s solicitors have submitted Grounds of Appeal. It is very detailed…the relevant parts are indeed very illuminating.”

Judge NMK Lawrence of the Firs-tier Tribunal in relation to the policy classification of "graduate level" jobs within Tier 2 of the PBS

“The [well-written] lengthy grounds seeking permission to appeal challenged the interpretation of the Rules and the Article 8 findings on 5 separate grounds.”

Upper Tribunal Judge Coker

“The grounds …are well argued and argue, inter alia, that Shahzad (s85A: commencement) [2012] UKUT 81 (IAC) applies. That may well be so…All grounds may be argued.R

Designated First-tier Tribunal Judge Manuell

“The appeal was … realistically therefore argued [by the Appellants’ solicitors] relying on the impact on return….”

Immigration Judge Shamash

“…ingenious argument…”

Designated First-tier Tribunal Judge Manuell

“…full and detailed…”

First-tier Tribunal Judge O'Garro in relation to the submitted grounds of appeal

Immigration Personal

Entry Clearance

Spouse/Partner Visas

Student Visas

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Human Rights and Discretionary

Naturalisation and Registration

Detention, Removal and Bail

Appeals and Judicial Review

Other Services

Testimonials