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Frequently asked questions

Why choose ICS Legal?

We specialise in Immigration Law, Human Rights Law, British Nationality Law & European Law. Our lawyers provide honest, exceptional service to our clients. We believe that our service starts when we submit your application and we want our client to know we will keep them informed, answer there questions and your case worker will be just a phone call away.

What is the benefit of using our legal services when you want to come to the UK or extend or switch?

Our speciality lies in the field of Immigration, Nationality and EU Law, so it means we always are dealing with this side of the law. We are able to support you in making a correct decision, avoid delays on your case, save money and time, not forgetting the stress of any doubts with your application.

There are many routes available to come to the UK, extend or switch, some of them do not allow extension or even switching. Knowing what is right can be a difficult task and this is why we are here. Simple task of not using the prescribed forms can mean your application is invalid, which means if you have no valid stay, you would have to return back and there is no appeal rights.

Our initial consultations are a chargeable service. We initially discuss the requirements of the application to ensure you meet the requirements and have the documentation required at hand for the submission. It gives you an opportunity to meet us and ask questions.

Each case will be checked thoroughly, everything will be cross referenced so guidelines are met and we will also add our legal document which would outline the Immigration Rules and how the client has satisfied the rules. We use documents that are used by Home Office case workers, so we know exactly what they would look for in your case.

The most important fact is that law constantly changes, policy guidelines and requirements are always changing, so it is best that you always use specialised services to support you. We never compromise our services, our fees remain very competitive but our expertise is at the very highest standard.

How can I trust your service?

We are regulated by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC). OISC is the government regulated body and it is a criminal offence if someone is providing Immigration advice without being regulated by the OISC. We are also members of Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI). JCWI is an independent national voluntary organisation, campaigning for justice and combating racism in immigration and asylum law and policy.

What happens in the initial consultation?

Your case worker would take some background information regarding yourself. Relevant questions would be asked to ascertain whether your case can be handled by our team. You will also be able to ask questions, understand what is required to meet the Immigration Rules, Nationality Law and EU Law where relevant. Should we be able to provide assistance, your case worker will give you a customer care letter whereby it would outline the service agreement and the cost associated.

What happens after the consultation?

After each consultation we aim to provide a consultation report which would outline what was discussed, the action plan and what to do next.

When I meet the caseworker and I disclose personal information, would this be disclosed to anyone else?

We have a procedure in place for ensuring client confidentiality. We keep the affairs of our clients and all information relating to our clients confidential, except where we are compelled to disclose information by reason of a legal or regulatory obligation.

What is a customer care letter?

A customer care letter from us will ensure that we outline the service we would be providing, it would also provide a break down of the costs associated so you can rest assure that there are no hidden charges and that fees do not go up unless changes are made (i.e. Home Office fees etc).

Once I sign the customer care letter and my case would possibly fail, do I still have to pay your fees?

We place our clients first, so when you sign the customer care letter and we go through your case file, and we believe that the case would not be successful, we will terminate the agreement and return your documents. We will also provide alternative solutions with no added costs. We also have a cancellation period should you feel you want to withdraw your file.

 

Please note that all cases cannot be guaranteed as circumstances depends and whether you met guidelines, however the Home Office caseworker can still refuse cases on the balance of probabilities and other factors. Our job would be to prepare your case in the best possible way.

Do you provide one day Premium Services?

Yes, we have a special provision with the Home Office and majority case decisions are made on the same day.

Do you do “No Win No Fee”?

As a private legal firm, we want to ensure we can provide the service you want. Our fees are very competitive and that is why we do not provide a No Win No Fee service as we do not feel the need to over charge our clients with such schemes.

How is the fees paid and are there any surprises?

With us, you will know exactly what we would be charging. The fees are to be paid through cheque, cash or bank transfer. Home Office fees can be paid to us and we can make the payment on behalf of you. If there is any changes in Home Office fees, we will let you know immediately.

How often would I get updated once my case have been submitted?

Our commitment to our clients is that we will update you every time we get an update from the Home Office. The waiting period can be a very daunting time as decisions can be life changing however the Home Office do set some guidelines on waiting times, but we intend to keep you updated throughout the process.

Can you guarantee an application?

No, and this is the same even if you use a no win no fee service, it would be impossible for anyone to guarantee a successful application. The likelihood of an application being successful can be given based on previous cases or success rates, however we do not operate such a policy of selling our services based on previous applications.

What is your aftercare service?

We aim to ensure that this service is not used by any of our clients, but there are times where even with the best possible applications are unsuccessful. As we take our clients cases personally, we would like to provide a helping hand. We have designed an aftercare service whereby if your case fails, then your case worker would be able to help you look at other formalities of staying in the UK should you have valid leave still remaining or help you make an out country application. Please note should you require appealing on your matter, we can only deal with the initial appeal and your application will be straight away referred to an advisor who deals with representations.

Can I give you feedback on your service?

It is vital that all our clients can provide honest feedback, we would encourage this and this helps us to become better on our service delivery.

Can you help me find a UK Employer to sponsor a work permit or find me work?

No, we are a law firm which provides support in UK Immigration, Nationality and EU Free Movement Rights. However we have a subsidiary company which is jobslibrary.co.uk whereby you can look for work, apply and discuss with potential employers. We cannot influence any decisions and finding work is not something our team deals with.

How we deliver service

1) You contact us through e-mail or phone.

2) We take some basic information, we ask some relevant questions to understand the type of query and what type of support is required.

3) Your case then gets passed to a case worker.

4) Case Worker would contact you to set up an initial meeting.

5) You attend a consultation, an action plan is drawn up and we find out whether ICS Legal can support your case. A report would be sent where there is a requirement to outline what was discussed and what to do next.

6) You authorise us to be your legal representative by signing our customer care letter.

7) We will then start to request documents and information about your case this will build up your case pack.

8) We will then write our legal report and use Home Office caseworker’s documents to ensure everything has been checked and all requirement have been met.

9) Where possible we will go through every aspect of your case before case submission.

10) We will continue to update you throughout the case life cycle .

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Immigration Cases | UK Immigration appeals | ICS Legal

ICS Legal has over more than a decade gained invaluable experience in dealing with matters before the Tribunal as well as the Admin Courts in the UK.  We have "independent business reviews" which you can view by clicking here, which provides you with confidence and assurance. 

ICS Legal Appeal Representation

We represent the client's to the First-Tier Tribunal and to the Upper Tribunal. We also challenge decisions made by the First-Tier Tribunal. We know that once an application is refused or you have been to the Tribunal & have been denied, it is difficult sometimes to understand the reason and the best way forward is to go back to the beginning and start again. 

  1. Appeal process and representation offered by ICS Legal. Click here to read more information on this process. 

  2. If your application did not attract the right to appeal but has been given a right to complete an administrative review, click here to read more information on how this works and the help we can provide you with. 

  3. Finally, some applications do not attract a right to appeal, so you may need to submit a formal representation and in most cases, you may wish to proceed with a judicial review. Administrative Review to read the information on how we can submit a formal representation. 

Challenging the decision and getting the Entry Clearance Manager reviews

We have overturned a large percentage of our cases without going to the Tribunal by disputing our client's cases with the British Embassy & UK Border Agency. The grounds of appeal and providing further evidence can help your immigration appeal. 

We also make direct contact with the British Embassy or the Home Office outside UK/within the UK to resolve matters without taking this through the appeal process, saving time, stress, and money.

Client's best interest

We have our "client’s best interest at heart" which means we will always look at the merits of the appeal. Our last audit by the OISC showed that we have, and are doing “exceptional work” on our appeals which includes preparation to the Tribunal, namely the appeal bundle which is served to the Tribunal.

The appeal bundle consists of a number of important elements that are required procedurally and also to give you the best chance to win the case. The Tribunals have acknowledged how well we are presenting cases and Immigration Judges have commented on our work. Our work is to ensure our client’s case is handled professionally and we have never received a complaint from a client where we have mishandled their appeal. We strive to provide the best legal representation as we understand the stress you go through an appeal.

Our clients refer a number of clients to us because of the way we manage and deal with appeals. At times we would advise a client not to appeal due to a number of errors submitted with an original application, which can save you time and money, not mentioning the stress you go through. Please talk to us today on 0207 237 3388 and have your first consultation to understand your merits on the appeal & we can guarantee that we will never let you down. That is an ICS Legal Promise. 

Get the best and expert help on your Immigration Appeal

E-mail us your decision letter from the British Embassy or the Home Office at info@icslegal.com or complete our contact form by clicking here. 100% best and accurate legal advice. That is an ICS Legal Promise. 

How We Will Help You

If you have been refused and contact our office we would request a meeting to discuss the refusal, we may ask you to e-mail or fax us a copy before the meeting. We would then assess the reasons for refusal and advise on the probability of obtaining reconsideration of the decision, or if appealing, the likely success rate. We will advise on alternatives that may be available such as a fresh application.

Our fees for handling the whole appeal process will be made clear at our meeting before you decide on instructing us.

If you do decide to appeal:

  1. We would draft grounds of appeal and serve the same upon the First-Tier Tribunal, also advising relevant parties that we now represent you in this matter.

  2. On many occasions, we have, after serving grounds of appeal, managed to get the refusal reversed. Should this be the case, you will only pay our fee for drafting and serving the grounds of appeal.

  3. In the event, the appeal proceeds to a full hearing we will fully prepare all documentation relating to the appeal including Witness Statements and drafting a Skeleton Argument. We will ensure that you have enough notice of documents you need to supply that are to be relied upon at the hearing.

  4. We will ensure that you and any witnesses are fully briefed before the hearing and if need be, a conference arranged with the Barrister who will represent you at the hearing. We work closely with a number of Barristers Chambers who have extensive experience in Immigration and Human Rights Law, so rest assured you will be in safe hands from the beginning to end.

  5. ICS Legal, prior to the hearing will conduct a conference to discuss the process of the appeal, how it will work, go through the issues raised and the most common questions asked. We then have a conference with our Barrister and discuss your appeal prior to their attendance, and we also inform them of your concerns, etc. 

  6. On the day of the hearing, the Barrister will meet you before the hearing and will answer any last-minute concerns, you may have. At the end of the hearing, the Immigration Judge will inform you of when you can expect to receive a decision. However, from experience, there have been occasions when the Immigration Judge has made a decision on the day.

  7. If the appeal is successful we will advise you of the next steps to obtain your visa.

If your appeal is unsuccessful we will advise you on the next steps such as a fresh application or appealing to the Upper Tribunal and the merits and costs of doing so. An appeal to the Upper Tribunal can only be made if the Immigration Judge has erred in law.

We will soon launch our app to use our services online.