September 2020

ILPA Sponsor Licence Conference

Wednesday 9 September 2020, 10:00 – 16:30

Chairs: Nichola Carter, Carter Thomas Solicitors

Joe Middleton, Doughty Street Chambers.

Keynote Speakers: George Shirley, Head of PBS, Citizenship and the Windrush Taskforce

Panel: Jonathan Kingham, Lexis Nexis, Natasha Chell and Nicolette Bostock, Laura Devine Immigration, Tom Brett Young, Veale Wasbrough Vizard, Natasha Gya Williams, Gya Williams Immigration, Simon Kenny, Eversheds Sutherland

What does the future hold for sponsorship? The next couple of years may very well bring about bigger changes to the UK’s work-related immigration routes than we witnessed in 2008, when the Points Based System was introduced.

UKVI’s George Shirley, Head of PBS, Citizenship and the Windrush Taskforce, has agreed to be our guest speaker.

In addition, we have an excellent array of speakers from a number of leading UK immigration law firms and the conference is being chaired by Nichola Carter of Carter Thomas and Joe Middleton of Doughty Street Chambers.

Topics will range from practical tips on sponsor licence law to in-depth analysis of complex legal issues. There will be a detailed examination of the current system of sponsorship for businesses, primarily relating to Tier 2 (General and ICT) and Tier 5, and a look at what the future may hold. The speakers will provide highly practical insight and tips from their extensive experience.

This annual conference provides a space for immigration experts across the UK to share experiences and tips on dealing with this complex area of law.

How to prepare fresh asylum and human rights claims

Wednesday 16 September, 15:00 – 18:15

Tutors: Gabriella Bettiga, MGBe Legal

Bojana Asanovic, Lamb Building

This course will focus on the legal framework, procedure and practical steps in preparing further representations.

Topics:

• Legal framework
• Standard of proof
• Advice to clients
• Pitfalls and common errors
• Procedure
• Overview of post-refusal remedies

The Phenomenon of Transnational Marriage Abandonment (Bitesize Webinar)

Thursday 17 September 2020, 14:00 – 16:00

Tutors: Pragna Patel, Southall Black Sisters

Nath Gbikpi, Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP

The webinar will look at the phenomenon of transnational marriage abandonment, a form of domestic abuse which involves migrant women being deliberately stranded abroad, and how immigration lawyers can assist stranded spouses to return to the UK.

Topics:

• The phenomenon of transnational marriage abandonment: what is it and what common experiences are reported by stranded spouses
• Litigation relating to the phenomenon of transnational marriage abandonment: what has been done in family law and what needs to be done in immigration law
• Assisting victims of transnational marriage abandonment to return to the UK: theory and practice

Arguing Insurmountable Obstacles under Appendix FM (Bitesize Webinar)

Thursday 24 September 2020, 16:00 – 17:30

Tutor: Priya Solanki, One Pump Court Chambers

In this webinar, we will look at the harsh test that applies to foreign nationals who are here as overstayers and make applications as partners under Appendix FM EX.1(b) and EX.2 of the Immigration Rules. We will consider recent authorities and how these have clarified the test. There will be a detailed look at policy guidance, practical tips and examples. This webinar will allow more effective applications to be submitted and for better challenges to adverse decisions.

In this webinar, we will cover the following:

• The test of insurmountable obstacles under EX.1(b) and EX.2
• A detailed look at UKVI Policy Guidance and how this can best be used to assist applications under EX.1(b)
• The current authorities, how these have explained this test further, with examples of the circumstances the courts and Tribunals have found unconvincing
• A discussion on useful evidence and arguments to advance in applications and appeals
• Challenges to clearly unfounded certificates, under s.94 of the Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, in EX1(b) decisions by way of judicial review proceedings
• Case Activity / Group DiscussionsILPA non-members £80.00