Shabana Bukhari 
In this blog readers will get a grasp on five key factors that you should consider when hiring an immigration solicitor. There are several immigration solicitors in Bristol and so by following these factors you can successfully narrow down your search and choose the right professional for Hiring an Immigration Solicitor in Bristol.
5 key Factors to Consider When Hiring an Immigration Solicitor in Bristol
Before thinking about hiring an immigration solicitor in Bristol it is key to consider five factors whilst undertaking your research. This will ensure that you select a solicitor with professional expertise and provides their clients with an excellent service.
- Factor One: Professional Accreditation
The first and most important factor to consider is whether the immigration solicitor has professional accreditation. All qualified solicitors in England and Wales are accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) who safeguard the high ethical standards of the legal profession. You can check whether the immigration solicitor you are researching is a member of the SRA by having a look on their website.
Alternatively, immigration advisers may be regulated by the OISC (Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner). Follow this link to the OISC website: home.oisc.gov.uk/adviser_finder/finder.aspx. Here you can browse multiple things, such as an immigration advisers date of registration. For instance, Henleaze Law’s registration number is F201900071.
Ensuring that your immigration solicitor is accredited through either regulating body discussed above will mean that the advice you receive is of a high quality.
- Factor Two: Breadth of Immigration Law Expertise
Secondly, immigration solicitors should have a breadth of expertise within this field and provide services that reflect this. Immigration law changes extremely fast, for instance with new types of Visas being introduced.
Once again by browsing an immigration adviser’s website you will be able to find out what services they provide and ensure that the immigration advice you wish to seek is available. For instance, help with UK Visa applications, judicial review, and deportation advice are all commonly catered for.
As part of their website firms may also have blogs which you may read. These will highlight changes to immigration law being brought in which suggests that the firm keeps up to date with changes and has expert knowledge in that area. As a client you can therefore expect to receive high quality advice and support with any application or appeal you wish to make.
You can browse Henleaze Law’s blogs here: Blog – UK Visa Immigration | Henleaze Law Blog.
- Factor Three: Reviews
Thirdly, professional accreditation and breadth of immigration expertise is nothing if a firm’s previous clients are not satisfied with the service they were provided with.
Therefore, reviews are a key factor consider before deciding on which immigration solicitor in Bristol to choose. Have a browse on their website or read some Google Reviews. Here you will be able to see how many stars they have received out of five. As well as written reviews from previous clients describing what they applied for and how the immigration solicitor helped them. This will allow you to get a feel for the timeline at which applications were completed in addition to the way the immigration professionals communicate with their clients.
- Factor Four: Fees
Fourthly, how an immigration solicitor or adviser structures their fees and payment is very important to know as a client. This is key when budgeting and ensuring that you can meet these future payments.
The fees will usually include the actual cost of the UK immigration application or appeal as well as additional fees for completing paperwork or for the legal advice itself. For instance, some solicitors in Bristol will charge for an initial 30 minute or 1 hour consultation.
- Factor Five: Communication
Fifthly, an immigration solicitor in Bristol which retains regular communication with their client is essential not only for a successful application experience but also for organisation by ensuring that the client is aware of any key updates. By browsing the firm’s reviews, you can get a feel of how fast they are at communication.
Moreover, the languages which a solicitor or adviser may speak will help clients that do not have a strong English proficiency. They may be able to communicate to clients in their native language allowing for a smoother application process.
Where to Find the Correct Immigration Solicitor in Bristol
- Web Search
By searching on the internet for immigration solicitors in Bristol you will be able to access lots of information, such as where their offices are located, reviews and website. Here you can choose the correct adviser for you based on how far away they are to you or on their good reviews.
- Social Media
Social media is a great tool to uncover honest opinions from clients of Bristol based immigration solicitors. For instance, you can type in the immigration solicitor’s name in and see if anyone has written a review.
By using the two methods above you can begin to compare immigration solicitors in Bristol and narrow it down to the one which you would like to use.
FAQs
I am currently living abroad can I still use an immigration solicitor based in Bristol?
Yes, if the immigration solicitor you wish to use has the facilities to work with you remotely, for instance through WhatsApp.
Is it worth hiring an immigration solicitor in Bristol when making an UK immigration application?
Definitely. These are experts in their area and as immigration law changes very fast it is hard to be aware of all the things you must complete before filling out an application. Therefore, this may lead to not providing the correct evidence which can lead to a rejected application costing you time and money.
Is it bad if an immigration solicitor gets a negative Google review?
This depends. This could be a singular negative review. That is why it is key to do your research and read lots of the written reviews and see what their average score is out of five stars. This will be a better holistic and overall review of the firm.
What are the OISC and SRA?
These are regulating bodies for immigration advisers and solicitors. They ensure that high ethical standards are maintained throughout the legal profession.
Where should I start when thinking about hiring an immigration solicitor in Bristol?
Begin by searching online or on social media for immigration solicitors in Bristol. Once you have selected a range of firms then you can browse their websites and reviews. Thinking about the five key factors discussed above: professional accreditation, breadth of immigration law Experience, reviews, fees, and communication you can compare firms to find the perfect one to suit your needs.
Summary
Hiring an immigration solicitor in Bristol can be a daunting task but by following our five key factors you can change this.
Please contact our expert team of immigration lawyers at Henleaze Law on 0117 908 4625. We offer a trusted, professional and client focused service, with assistance in all areas of immigration law.
