Expert Representation for Complex UK Immigration Refusals and Appeals
At First Law Solicitors, we represent clients in challenging and high-value immigration matters including appeals, refusals and judicial reviews. Based in Manchester and advising clients across the UK and internationally, we combine technical legal precision with strategic insight to achieve the best possible outcomes.
We are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA ID No: 665823) and recognised for our professionalism, diligence and success in handling complex immigration cases before the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal and, where appropriate, the High Court.
An immigration appeal or complex matter arises when the Home Office refuses an application, revokes a visa or makes an unlawful decision. These cases often involve human rights claims, sponsor compliance issues or procedural errors.
Our solicitors act swiftly to assess the decision, identify legal errors and prepare evidence-based appeals that stand up to scrutiny before the tribunal or court. We work with both individuals and corporate clients, ensuring every case is supported by expert legal argument and thorough documentation.
A right of appeal exists in specific circumstances, such as when:
In most other visa categories, such as Skilled Worker or Family applications, appeal rights are limited. In those cases, our solicitors pursue an Administrative Review or, if appropriate, a Judicial Review to challenge the decision’s legality.
An Administrative Review (AR) allows the Home Office to reconsider a refusal when an error in decision-making is alleged. It is a cost-effective route, but as of late 2025, processing times have increased significantly, often taking six to twelve months.
In urgent business or family situations, we assess whether pursuing a Judicial Review (JR) offers a faster and more effective solution, particularly for clear-cut legal errors or procedural breaches.
When there is no right of appeal or administrative remedy has failed, a Judicial Review may be appropriate. This process examines whether the Home Office acted lawfully rather than re-evaluating the facts of the case.
Most immigration-related judicial reviews are heard in the Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber), while the High Court retains jurisdiction for cases involving complex constitutional or systemic issues.
We prepare all pre-action correspondence, grounds for review and procedural applications, working closely with specialist counsel when required.
We represent clients before both the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal, handling every aspect of the appeal process from submission to hearing.
Our services include preparing appeal bundles, drafting witness statements, and ensuring compliance with the tribunal’s digital evidence requirements. With all appeals now managed through the MyHMCTS online system, we ensure every document is properly formatted and presented for electronic review.
Refusals in 2025 and 2026 are increasingly driven by the Home Office’s new Part Suitability rules, which replaced the older Part 9: Grounds for Refusal framework.
Common triggers now include:
Suitability Grounds: Mandatory refusals under the new Suitability provisions (SUI rules), which apply to almost all routes, including Family and Human Rights cases. Previous overstaying, false representations, or public policy flags may now result in automatic refusal.
Genuineness Tests: Heightened scrutiny under the July 2025 reforms for Skilled Worker and Family routes, where the Home Office tests whether relationships or job roles are genuine and sustainable.
Procedural Errors: Failure to provide updated evidence, incorrect SOC coding, or late submissions under the new digital filing standards.
Our solicitors review every aspect of your case to identify these risks and build an effective appeal strategy tailored to your situation.
We regularly assist in complex and high-stakes immigration cases, including:
Each case is handled with precision, care and full awareness of current Home Office policy and tribunal guidance.
Our immigration solicitors bring technical mastery, strategic judgment and genuine care to every case.
Clients choose us because we offer:
B2 Language Shift (8 January 2026): If your refusal relates to the new B2 English requirement, we assess whether you qualify for transitional protection for applications submitted before the January 2026 deadline.
Digital Evidence Transition: All appeals are now processed via the MyHMCTS digital system. We ensure your evidence bundle meets the tribunal’s new electronic formatting and indexing requirements.
Administrative Review Delays: With AR decisions taking up to 12 months, we advise on when a Judicial Review may be the faster and more strategic option.
Part Suitability Enforcement: Every 2026 appeal now engages the stricter suitability tests. We proactively address these at the preparation stage to prevent avoidable refusals.
If you have received a refusal or need to challenge a Home Office decision, contact First Law Solicitors for immediate, confidential advice.
We represent clients across the UK and internationally, offering meticulous preparation and strategic representation in every case.
📞 Call 0044 161 224 4066
🖋 Complete our online enquiry form to arrange a consultation.
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