Barristers and Judges

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors – Barristers and Judges – UK Visa Applications

The legal sector adds billions of pounds to the UK economy every year – much of it as a result of international law, which can require the expertise of barristers and judges from outside EEA jurisdictions.

There have been concerns that the restrictions on Tier 2 visas may impact on the ability of the legal system to operate in an increasingly competitive global market – which by its nature requires the expertise of barristers and judges who may practise in another jurisdiction; or who might have been called to the Bar in England and Wales before returning to their own country, or going on to practise in another jurisdiction.

Duncan Lewis business immigration solicitors can advise legal firms on the international recruitment of barristers and judges, who are eligible to work in the UK under the regulations covering occupations skilled to NQF Level 6.

Duncan Lewis business immigration lawyers frequently advise on Tier 2 applications for barristers, judges and other legal professionals coming to the UK to work in international law firms – as well as advising on recruiting recent overseas graduates who have qualified as barristers and have been called to the Bar in England and Wales.

Our specialist business immigration department can advise on Tier 2 visas for non-EEA candidates wishing to take up appointments in England and Wales – as well as candidates from Commonwealth countries.

Any Tier 2 applicants can be sponsored for jobs in certain occupations – and the government has drawn up a list of eligible occupations for barristers and judges wishing to apply for a Tier 2 visa to take up an appointment in England and Wales.

UK Visas & Immigration regulations set out in the Codes of Practice for Skilled Workers such as barristers and judges.

Under the regulations, the sort of appointments that would make a barrister or judge eligible for a Tier 2 visa application include:

• Advocate
• Barrister
• Chairman (appeals tribunal, inquiry)
• Coroner
• Crown prosecutor
• District judge.

UK Visas & Immigration rules also set out the duties barristers and judges might undertake to qualify for a Tier 2 visa, including:

• becomes acquainted with the facts of a case through reading statements, law reports and consulting with clients or other professionals
• advises client on the basis of legal knowledge, research and past precedent as to whether to proceed with legal action
• drafts pleadings and questions in preparation for court cases, appears in court to present evidence to the judge and jury, cross examines witnesses and sums up why the court should decide in their client’s favour
• hears, reads and evaluates evidence – and instructs or advises the jury on points of law or procedure
• conducts trials according to rules of procedure, announces the verdict and passes sentence and/or awards costs and damages.

The current minimum salary range for barristers and judges applying for a Tier 2 UK visa would be £31,700 for an experienced candidate – and £20,500           for a new entrant or a candidate undertaking pupillage.

Source: Evidence provided by the Bar Council in 2011 uplifted using the 2013 national rate of pay inflation.

Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors – UK Visa Applications & Appeals – Barristers and Judges

Applying for a Tier 2 visa for a barrister or judge from a non-EEA jurisdiction requires expert legal advice on the preparation of the visa application to ensure no delays occur which might potentially jeopardise the timely take up of an appointment.

Duncan Lewis immigration experts are one of the UK’s leading specialist immigration and business immigration solicitors, with a highly successful track record in advising companies on business immigration and the UK visa application process.

Duncan Lewis frequently advises on international law, cross-border cases and Islamic law. Our business immigration department understands the need for law firms to recruit high-calibre staff from overseas – and offers robust and effective legal advice to companies on the visa process, to make sure law firms and other recruiters are able to fulfil their recruitment targets for legal staff and compete successfully in the global marketplace.

Duncan Lewis immigration lawyers have offices nationwide and in most major cities – and our national and London immigration lawyers regularly advise companies wishing to recruit high-calibre legal staff from overseas, including barristers and judges, on:

• Tier 2 Licence
• Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsor (CoS)
• Tier 2 Visa Applications
• Tier 2 Intra Company Transfers
• Standard UK Visa for Business Visits.

Duncan Lewis business immigration experts are also able to advise on visa appeals for barristers and judges wishing to take up appointments in the UK.

As immigration specialists, Duncan Lewis is ranked by Legal 500 2015 for its business immigration services.

For further information on UK visa applications for Barristers and Judges, call Duncan Lewis Business Immigration Solicitors in confidence on 0333 772 0409 for a FREE initial consultation.