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Home Office Approval for Birkett Long LLP
Essex law firm, Birkett Long LLP, has joined an exclusive list of law firms which have been assessed by the Home Office as competent to audit companies that wish to apply for Sponsor Licences under new immigration rules. Listed law firms are able to provide a report to the Home office confirming that the business concerned has met the standard to successfully apply for a licence. In cases where a favourable report has been issued by Birkett Long, the Home office will not normally duplicate the assessment process already carried out – this will mean that the employer’s application will be processed more quickly. Client and solicitor confidentiality will not be affected by the audit procedure.Business Immigration is now based on a points and tiers system designed to ensure only skilled migrants come to work in the UK. The system applies to all foreign nationals except those from the European Economic Area. Employers must apply for a ‘sponsor licence’ if they want to employ immigrants who are nationals of countries outside this area; to do so they need certain HR systems and procedures in place and these must be checked and verified by an approved auditor or the Home Office prior to the licence being granted.
Birkett Long LLP is one of the first provincial practices to be awarded the status of auditor by the Home Office; until now, large international city law firms have dominated the market place.
Miranda Leate, who leads the business immigration team at Birkett Long, explains: “We had just two days to put together our application for approved auditor status for the Home Office. Both legal and procedural information was required and we had to demonstrate that we possess a high level of expertise in immigration law.” Miranda has over 15 years’ experience in this field, her work including business and family immigration as well as human rights, and has acted for cross-sector clients who need work permits and intra company transfers for their staff. She is a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association with whom she liaises regularly regarding changes in the law.
The firm’s application was accepted by the Home Office, allowing Miranda and her team to carry out audits and produce reports that will be accepted as evidence by the Home Office, and will demonstrate that the company in question meets the required sponsor standards.
For information visit our Business Immigration page, or for specific information about immigration law email miranda.leate@birkettlong.co.uk
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