Appeals Advice and Representation at the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)
Wisemart Solicitors provides expert appeals advice and representation for appeals against Home Office visa or immigration decisions (excluding asylum cases) before the First-tier Tribunal. The scope of our service is tailored to the complexities inherent in immigration appeals and is delivered with the utmost professionalism and legal precision.
Scope of Service & Process
Our representation typically involves the following steps:
Detailed Case Evaluation:
- Conducting comprehensive interviews with the applicant, and, where relevant, with family members or close associates to obtain detailed statements.
- Assessing all relevant documentary evidence and identifying any additional evidence required.
Evidence Assembly and Document Management:
- Gathering, reviewing, and organising all supporting documentation.
- Advising on the necessity of translations or the procurement of missing documentation.
Court Liaison and Compliance:
- Liaising with the Tribunal to ensure adherence to any directions issued.
- Maintaining active communication with the Tribunal to ensure full compliance with all directions and procedural orders issued by the court.
- Arranging and coordinating representation at the hearing, with a view to reducing costs through the potential use of BWF Solicitors’ own advocacy services where appropriate.
- Preparing for and arranging representation at the hearing.
- Note: Costs may be mitigated if advocacy is undertaken by our own representatives.
Representation and Submission:
- Preparing a comprehensive appeal package, including drafting the appeal, preparing paginated bundles, and submitting the necessary documents on behalf of the applicant.
- Providing detailed advice on the likely outcomes and further steps required post-hearing.
Time and Fee Estimates
The preparation time for an appeal can vary significantly; however, our experience indicates that:
- Preparation Time:
- Generally ranges from 20 to 40 hours, with thorough preparation rarely achievable in under 20 hours.
- Cost Estimates:
- On average, the cost for appeals representation ranges between £1800 and £2400, dependent on whether the work is undertaken by a solicitor or a partner.
- These figures exclude VAT (20%), although applicants residing outside the European Union are not charged VAT.
Our Service Inclusions
Initial Assessment:
- A single appointment at our offices for a comprehensive review of your case.
- An expert evaluation of your application in light of all relevant immigration rules.
Expert Guidance:
- Detailed advice on how to enhance your application through additional supporting evidence.
- Guidance on how to obtain any further necessary documentation.
Compliance Assurance:
- Ensuring your application meets all compliance requirements and is optimised for success.
Ongoing Support:
- Clear advice on subsequent steps, including strategies in the event of Home Office refusals, and assistance with appeals or reconsiderations where necessary.
Hearing Representation
For the hearing, it is standard practice to instruct high-quality barristers for representation. Our solicitors work in close collaboration with these barristers, and pre-hearing conferences (triad meetings involving our solicitors, the barrister, and the applicant) are routinely arranged. During these meetings, we:
- Discuss favourable options and present a range of pricing structures.
- Ensure that all parties are fully informed and prepared for the hearing.
Barrister fees typically range from £350 to £1000 plus VAT, where applicable.
Additional Service Inclusions
Our service also encompasses:
- The final preparation and submission of the appeal, including the drafting of the applicant’s statement and assembling the appeal bundle.
- Post-submission advice regarding the outcome and any further necessary actions.
- An in-depth discussion regarding the applicant’s circumstances and the identification of the most appropriate legal remedy, including an exploration of all available options.
- Provision of advice on the requirements of the Immigration Rules, EUSS Regulations, or relevant citizenship laws, with an assessment of the applicant’s compliance with these criteria.
- An assessment of compliance with the Immigration Rules, EUSS Regulations, or citizenship laws, including advice on whether the applicant meets the required criteria.
- A detailed discussion of the applicant’s circumstances, with a view to confirming the most appropriate remedy.
- Evaluation of any deficiencies, with discussions on potential methods for overcoming such shortfalls, which may involve an additional 1 to 5 hours of detailed analysis.
- Assistance in obtaining further evidence—such as medical records or bank statements—and facilitating witness statements where necessary, generally requiring an additional 1 to 5 hours.
- Preparation of the appeal submission itself, including the drafting of the applicant’s statement, the preparation of a paginated bundle, and the final submission to the Tribunal, which typically takes 1 to 2 hours.
- Post-submission advice regarding the likely outcome and further steps, usually involving a further 1 to 2 hours of consultation.
Important Considerations
Please note that the above estimates for hours and fees are based on typical scenarios. Each appeal is fact-specific, and more accurate estimates will be provided upon detailed examination of the case particulars. Additionally, any Home Office fees are to be paid directly by the applicant, and all supplementary expenses (such as VAT, disbursements for expert evidence, or barrister fees) are not included in the quoted costs.
Wisemart Solicitors is committed to delivering high-calibre representation at the First-tier Tribunal, ensuring that our clients receive precise, effective, and strategically sound legal advice throughout the appeals process.