0800 073 73 76
Penn Chambers 197-199 City Road London EC1V 1JN
Back
Expert Solicitors sensitive to your personal legal needs and specialists in family law.
Go to Family Department
Sympathetic Wills Trusts and Probate Solicitors, sensitive and caring.e they arise. Go to Wills & Probate
Fighting your corner - specialising in Immigration matters right through to Appeals. Go to Immigration
Welcome to Penn Chambers
Running a law firm is a complicated burdensome business.
A Law Chambers is a business that provides administrative and technical (non legal) support to Solicitors. Penn Chambers is not a Law firm but the Solicitors within Penn Chambers are individually regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
The managers of the Chambers can focus on office administration such as meeting rooms, secretarial cover, file reviews, business continuity management etc which is supported by state of the art IT systems that work swiftly and simply for the Solicitors to use effectively.
So your Solicitor can focus on you
Your professional solution orientated commercially savvy business lawyers serving your business best. Go to Business Law
Sensible focussed and knowledgeable Solicitors carefully dealing with all your property needs.
Go to Property
Tenacious amd firm yet solution orientated Solicitors fighting for your rights and always in your corner.
Go to Litigation
Welcome to Family Law Click on corner arrow below to go to Family Law website
Welcome to Wills and Probate Click on the corner arrow to go to Wills and Probate website
Welcome to Immigration Click on the corner arrow to go to Immigration website
Welcome to Business Law Click on the corner arrow to go to Business Law website
Welcome to Property Law Click on the corner arrow to go to Property Law website
Welcome to Litigation Click on the corner arrow to go to Litigation website
Limitation Of Liability
This website has been prepared with the aim of providing general information only. It is not intended in any way whatsoever to provide legal advice, accountancy advice, financial services advice or mortgage advice. You should not rely on any of the information contained in this website in any way whatsoever and should always take professional advice before taking any course of action in relation to your personal affairs especially in relation to, but not exclusively, legal, accountancy, financial services or mortgage matters.
Owing to the nature of the Internet we cannot guarantee that this website or the websites to which it is linked will always be available to users. You should ensure that you have appropriate protection against viruses and other security arrangements in place whilst using the Internet.
Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information on this website was accurate at the time of publication, it is subject to variation at any time without notice and we do not give any warranty that any such information will be accurate or complete at any particular time or at all.
This website and any information or other material contained in it are made available strictly on the basis that you accept it on an 'as is' and 'as available' basis. Where you rely on any information or other material contained in it, you do so entirely at your own risk and you accept that all warranties, conditions and undertakings, express or implied, whether by common law, statute, trade usage, course of dealings or otherwise in respect of this website are excluded to the fullest extent permitted by law.
We exclude all liability whatever, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in respect of any loss or damage resulting or arising from any non-availability or use of this website or of any other website linked to it, or from reliance on the contents of this website or any material or content accessed through it.
Professional Details
Please note Penn Chambers is NOT regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The Individual Solicitors are INDIVIDUALLLY regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. No other companies within the Penn Group of Companies are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Please note that ONLY Penn Mortgages Limited (FSA registration number 473059) is an appointed representative of Mortgage Next Network (FSA registration number 300866) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. No other companies within the Penn Group of Companies are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (save Penn Financial in a different capacity as stated immediately below).
Please note that Penn Financial is the trading name of Penn Financial Limited. Penn Financial is an appointed representative of Sage Financial Services Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. No other companies within the Penn Group of Companies are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (save Penn Mortgages in a different capacity as stated immediately above).
No other companies within Penn Group are professionally regulated.
Business Name
Penn Chambers is the trading name of Penn Services Limited. Registered in England number 06242712 and whose Registered Offices are at 197-199 City Road London EC1V 1JN.
Penn Services Limited VAT Registration number is 925 7443 09
Complaints
We aim to provide all our clients with a quality service throughout the life of their case and even beyond. There are rare occasions where we do not get it right and we aim to address all complaints swiftly and fairly.
If you are dissatisfied with the quality of service that you have received in any way, then please do let us know. We welcome the feedback, which in turn helps us to improve the quality of our service to you. Each company deals with complaints in a different way depending on whether they are regulated by a professional body. Please go to the "Info" page of the compnay that you have cause to complain about for details as to how you can complain.
If in the unlikely event you have a complaint regarding Penn Chambers you can:
a) Request our Client Care Report at any time, complete it and return it to us or
b) E-mail the client care team at clientcare_penngroup.co.uk or
c) Write to us at Penn Group 197-199 City Road London EC1V 1JN.
About News Articles
Welcome to our News Articles pages.
On each page you will find a brief summary of the main article in question. If you wish to read the whole article - feel free to download the PDF.
You can download as many of the Articles that you wish all completely free of charge.
If you would like to see an article written about a topic of interest to you which you feel may benefit others, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Of course, we are sure that you will appreciate that the Articles are meant to provide information only and may not be appropriate for your individual circumstances. You should always consult us before taking any course of action.
Happy reading.
How To Choose A Good Solicitor
Fusce tempor arcu ac urna. Fusce congue eleifend mi. Pellentesque metus sem, elementum eu, rhoncus sed, gravida sit amet, nulla. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean condimentum, odio quis pharetra dignissim, diam nisl dignissim diam, eu interdum magna erat sit amet felis. Etiam non felis at urna tempus luctus. In ullamcorper nisl congue elit. In convallis nibh vitae justo. Quisque ac lectus vitae sem consequat sagittis. Donec turpis nisi, feugiat sollicitudin, fermentum
Pre Nuptial Agreements
Why Make A Will?
Please bear with us whilst we update our news articles
It will be worth the wait. Promise.
Pre Nuptial Agreements - Are They Worth It?
Penn Chambers
Fourth Floor
197-199 City Road
London
EC1V 1JN
Click the PDF icon to download our FREE brochure
Main Switchboard - 0844 257 8128
Main fax number - 0844 257 8129
Family Law Department
Divorce
Whether you are married, a same sex couple or cohabitees we will help you consider the right options for you; including guiding you through the emotional time of "divorcing" and considering mediation where possible.
If you have decided that you wish to immediately end your relationship permanently then a "divorce" may be appropriate.
If you are married and wish to bring your relationship to a permanent end, this is known as a divorce. If you are in a same sex civil partnership and wish to bring your relattionship to a permanent end, this is known and a dissolution.
The Rules are nearly the same for same sex couples and heterosexual couples. However, the Rules are very different for couples who never entered into a Civil Partnership or who never got formally married.
There is a great deal of confusion amongst the general public about common law spouses especially cohabitees who have lived together for several years, often having children together.
This confusion can lead to unfortunate and unfair outcomes and it is imperative that cohabitees get specialist advice from us as swiftly as possible.
By contacting our specialist family and children team we can ensure that you receive the best legal advice in a considerate way to ensure best and sensible possible outcomes with the least amount of stress and acrimony possible.
c) The Court makes a parental responsibility order
d) The father applies successfully for 'residence' of the child.
Where a child's birth is registered on or after the 1st December 2003 and both parents have registered the birth of their baby together, the father will automatically gain parental responsibility.
Step parents (including same sex couples) may also acquire parental responsibility by:
a) Executing a parental responsibility agreement or
b) Applying to the Court for a Parental Responsibility Order.
SECTION 8 ORDERS
It is only in circumstances where parents or step parents (including Civil Partners) cannot agree arragements for their children that the Court will intervene. The four main types of Order which the Court can make are:-
a) A Residence Order (custody)
b) A Contact Order (access)
c) A Specific Issue Order
d) A Prohibited Steps Order
We will carefully and sympathetically advise you about 'custody' (Residence) and 'access' (Contact) issues whether you are married or not and ensure that suitable arrangements are made in a sensitive and constructive manner through what can be a difficult and emotional time.
Children
Determining what "rights" and responsibilites you have for your children is not determined by your status as a father or a mother but whether you have parental responsibility:
If your Child's birth was registered before the 1st December 2003 then only the child's mother will automatically have parental responsibility. The child's father (even if his name is on the birth certificate) will not automatically have parental responsibility. In such circumstances the father will acquire responsibility if:
a) The parents are married or the parties subsequently marry each other
b) The mother and father enter into a parental responsibility agreement
Family Finances
We can guide you through the maze of dealing with financial matters on separation, whether you are a same sex couple, cohabitees or married and help you achieve the settlement you deserve. With years of specialist experience in this area, we are able to advise you on the divisions of pensions, investments, businesses and other assets including the family home.
The rules regarding couples who were not married to each other or who did not enter into a Civil Partnership even if they consider themselves common law spouses are very different.
When looking at the financial implications of the breakdown of a relationship apportioning assets is never easy. Generally speaking the starting point will be 'equality' in the division of assets or property between the spouse or civil partner.
This does NOT necessarily mean a 50% each share.
The Courts are, however, directed to take into account a whole list of things which after consideration may suggest that to be fair one party should have rather more than half.
In order to make an Order the Courts will give regard to the following: -
The income, earning capacity, property and other financial resources which each spouse or civil partner has, or is likely to have in the foreseeable future
The financial needs, obligations and responsibilities which each spouse or Civil Partner has or is likely to have in the foreseeable future;
The standard of living enjoyed by the family before the breakdown of the Marriage or Civil Partnership;
The age of each spouse or Civil Partner and the duration of the Marriage or Civil Partnership;
Any physical or mental disability of either of the spouse or Civil Partners;
The contributions which each spouse or Civil Partner has made or is likely in the foreseeable future to make to the welfare of the family, including any contributions by looking after the home or caring for the family;
The conduct of each spouse or Civil Partner, if that conduct is such that it would in the opinion of the court be inequitable to disregard it;
The value to each spouse or Civil Partner of any benefit which, because of the dissolution or annulment of the Marriage or Civil Partnership, that spouse or Civil Partner will lose the chance of acquiring.
This area of law is complicated and requires significant enquiry and we would at all times recommend you contact us before you agree to any financial settlement.
Personal Injunctions
Regrettably there are times within a relationship when one party is subjected to domestic violence by the other party. Domestic violence is the emotional, physical and sexual abuse between people who have at some time had an intimate or family relationship. At such times it may be necessary to seek the assistance of the Court for protection.
If you are at risk of domestic violence or have suffered threats of harm or emotional abuse then you may be entitled to obtain an injunction against the perpetrator which gives you protection against continuing harassment and or violence. Our specialist family team have vast experience in dealing with such matters and can ensure that you get swift and adequate protection for you and your family.
The remedies available in summary are:
A non-molestation Injunction (i.e. Court Order) preventing one party from molesting or interfering with the other party to the relationship or perhaps a child of the parties.
A non-occupation Injunction removing one party from a jointly shared residence or preventing a party from returning or visiting a jointly shared residence.
The legislation under which the proceedings may be brought will depend upon the parties' circumstances immediately preceding the issue of proceedings and will also depend upon whether the parties are living together as man and wife or are actually married or have a Civil Partnership.
Property Injunctions
There may be occasions when you need to prevent a partner from removing or squandering assets or property so as to defeat your entitlement to them.
In such cases you often need to instruct a Solicitor to move quickly - to go to court - and protect those assets before they disappear.
Our specialist Family Team can ensure that you take swift and decisive action in the right circumstances to ensure that assets are not put beyond your reach.
In such cases the courts can "freeze" the assets such as bank accounts or prevent a home from being sold.
In other cases the court can force the other party to "produce" the assets in court such as important documents and protect them from being transferred or sold.
Pre Nuptials
Nowadays individuals are concerned that relationships may not be as permanent as they may once have been and to protect their hard earned wealth prior to the commencement of the relationship they wish to enter into a pre nuptial agreement which declares how the assets will be distributed in the unfortunate event that their relationship breaks down.
At present, the law is confused and unclear about the validity of pre nuptial agreements, which makes it difficult for us to advise clients effectively.
On the one hand a pre nuptial agreement is a contract, and as long as it is freely entered into there is no reason why two adults of sound mind should not be bound by it.
On the other hand, the family courts take a view that in order for them to achieve a fair and just outcome in court cases concerning a relationship breakdown, their hands should not be tied by any contracts previously formed especially in the form of a pre nuptial agreement.
The Government of the day last examined pre nuptial agreements in a 1998 Green Paper and so pre nuptial agreements still currently have no statutory recognition here.
However, that said, they have featured prominently in a number of recent divorce cases which indicate that, in the right circumstances, it is becoming increasingly likely that parties will be bound by them.
The common perception of pre nuptial agreements is that they are unromantic and the couple preparing a pre nuptial agreement are themselves setting out to fail.
On the other hand, for the wealthy, especially when entering into a marriage or civil partnership with someone of significantly more modest means, a pre nuptial agreement allows them to protect wealth that may have been earned or passed down through generations.
It is fair to say that those issues aside, a carefully drafted pre nuptial agreement, whilst it may not be romantic, can possibly protect the assets of the wealthier spouse or civil partner. As time progresses these are probably more likely to feature in a courts decisions.
Wills and Probate Department
Wills
The Wills and Probate Team currently provides expert legal advice on the preparation amendment and updating of Wills.
We also have sister companies with financial advisors and tax experts to provide you with a comprehensive and bespoke service for the preparation of your Will, financial advice and tax planning.
A truly holistic solution to your needs.
We undertake the full complement of work that you would expect in our Wills & Probate Team and much more.
There is a saying in common usage, which is that you get what you pay for. This is true also in the case of Wills.
You can obtain a Will pack from stationers and from the classified advertisements in a newspaper or indeed you can prepare a Will yourself.
There are substantial risks in doing so, and often the problems do not surface until after you pass away, in which case it is too late to change the Will or remedy any defect.
The common pitfalls are:
1. Not being aware of the formal requirements needed to make a Will legally valid
2. Failing to take account of all the money and property available which could have considerable tax implications
3. Failing to take account of the possibility that a executor, trustee, guardian or beneficiary may die before the person making the Will
4. Making changes to the Will without following the proper procedures. Simply put, if these alterations are not signed and witnessed, they are invali
5. Being unaware of the effect of marriage, a registered civil partnership, divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership on a Will
5. Being unaware of the rules which exist to enable dependants to claim from the estate if they believe they are not adequately provided for. These rules mean that the provisions in the Will could be overturned.
Why take the risk?
Letters of Administration
You would apply for Letters of Administration where no Will was found or if an Executor was not appointed in the will.
The Administrators can only act once they have been formally appointed by the court and to deal with the assets beforehand could be a serious matter.
The Administrators are the people who will be responsible for distributing your assets in acordance with the Rules of Intestacy (because no Will had been prepared or found at death).
They will have to collect together all the assets of the estate, deal with all the paperwork and pay all the debts, taxes, funeral and administration costs out of money in the estate. They will then distribute the remainder in accordance with the Law.
Executors
Executors are the people who will be responsible for carrying out your wishes and for sorting out the estate. They will have to collect together all the assets of the estate, deal with all the paperwork and pay all the debts, taxes, funeral and administration costs out of money in the estate. They will need to pay out the gifts and transfer any property to beneficiaries.
The people most commonly appointed as executors are:-
1. Relatives
2. Close trustworthy friends
3. Solicitors
As with any Solicitor, we would charge you for the administration of your estate but at least that way you can be assured that the Will is administered correctly and in accordance with the Law and the terms of a Will itself.
Probate
Applying for Probate, through the Will, is the process of calling in all the assets, paying all the liabilities (including any Inheritance or other tax) and then distributing the remainder to those entitled.
The Executors are appointed in your Will and need to act swiftly and properly to call in all the assets and hand over the correct assets to the correct beneficiaries.
We can act as your professional executors leaving your loved ones to come to terms with their loss or alternatively act side by side with family executors to ensure that your estate or the estate of a loved one is correctly and properly administered leaving you happy in the knowledge that your loved ones are cared for.
We will guide you through what can be a difficult and emotional time.
Trusts
Setting up a fiduciary structure, such as a trust for yourself, your family, your children or indeed for others is no longer the preserve of the super wealthy.
In the right circumstances, the correct fiduciary structure can help not only preserve your wealth but can also offer you greater flexibility over the management and distribution of your assets during your lifetime and even after death.
With the support and advice from our investments team in Penn Financial you are always safe in the knowledge that your funds are best placed at all times.
An onshore trust is in effect the same as an offshore trust and therefore in simple terms is effectively a contract binding a person (which can be an individual or a company) called a
'trustee' to deal with property or assets in the trust in a particular way, that is, in accordance with the contract (the trust deed) for the benefit of one or more 'beneficiaries'.
in many respects and goes through the same process of endeavouring to plan effectively for tax but rather than being an overseas (offshore) activity, the trust is based and administered from the UK (onshore).
Most onshore trusts focus on protecting the assets of the settlor (the person in effect providing the money for the trust) and ensuring that any inheritance tax or other tax liability is minimised for their loved ones or other intended beneficiaries.
Trusts can be set up for many purposes; they can be used to protect an estate or your home from care home fees using a protective property trust.
Perhaps a discretionary trust may be more appropriate to say provide for someone who cannot manage their own financial affairs.
Whichever type of trust that is set up, if you meet the criteria to set one up you can plan more effectively for tax and reduce any inheritance or other tax liability legitimately within the law.
Failure to ensure that you have received sound advice may mean that the trust that you have set up primarily for example to provide for loved ones may be so tax inefficient to be rendered useless.
Setting up an effective tax efficient trust is a complex legal, taxation and financial matter and our close collaboration between Penn Financial and Penn Chambers means you are in very safe hands.
Living Wills
Living Wills - otherwise known as Advance Directives let you make a decision in advance to indicate your wish to refuse all or some forms of medical treatment if you lose mental capacity in the future.
You cannot use an Advance Directive to:
a) ask for your life to be ended
b) force doctors to act against their professional judgement
c) nominate someone else to decide about treatment on your behalf
As with advance statements, bear in
mind that new drugs or treatments may be introduced in the future so you may wish to allow for new treatments even if refusing a current one.
To be valid an Advance Directive needs to:
a) be made by a person who is 18 or over and has the capacity to make it
b) specify the treatment to be refused (it can do this in lay terms)
c) specify the circumstances in which this refusal would apply
d) not have been made under the influence or harassment of anyone else
e) not have been modified verbally or in writing since it was made
Whilst many advance decisions need not be in writing, to protect yourself and loved ones we always recommend that you put your wishes in writing with the assistance of a neutral and sympathetic Solicitor.
Advance Directives refusing life-sustaining treatment must:
a) be in writing (it can be written by a family member, recorded in medical notes by a doctor or on an electronic record)
b) be signed and witnessed (it can be signed by someone else at the persons direction - the witness is to confirm the signature not the content of the Advance Directive)
c) include an express statement that the decision stands 'even if life is at risk'
To ensure that your wishes will be complied with in such sensitive circumstances in our view, it is imperative that you always seek the support and advice of an experienced Solicitor to ensure that your wishes will be ultimately respected.
Power of Attorney
People who lack mental capacity need someone else to manage their legal, financial and health affairs. The Mental Capacity Act 2005 made provision for people to choose someone to manage not only their finances and property should they become incapable but also to make health and welfare decisions on their behalf.
They will be able to do this through a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). LPAs replaced Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) in 2007, when the Mental Capacity Act came into force.
An LPA is a complex and serious document and should be properly and carefully prepared by a fully qualied Solicitor. At Penn Chambers our specialist Solicitors can ensure that is done.
You may wish to draw up a Lasting Power of Attorney for yourself should you worry about what would happen if you became victim of an accident or serious illness. However, for many people, it is as they become older or more infirm that they seriously consider what they would wish to happen to them should their condition deteriorate.
This could be because the first signs of dementia or another neurological disorder have been diagnosed or perhaps they have suffered a mild stroke and want to prepare for the possibility of a second, more serious attack.
If you or your loved one becomes incapable of making decisions for themselves and has not appointed another person as their LPA, their personal affairs would become the responsibility of the Public Guardianship Office.
At Penn Chambers we can:
a) Assist in the preparation of the LPA
b) Help you decide who should be your attorney
c) Help you decide whether restrictions or conditions should be attached to your LPA
c) Act as a certificate provider, an essential part of an LPA
d) Assist in ensuring your LPA is properly registered at the Office of the Public Guardian
e) Advise attorneys on their duties under a lasting power of attorney
f) Provide an independent audit as reassurance in the event of family conflict
Immigration Department
Business
Throughout 2008 and 2009 the UK Home Office has been introducing a new points-based system. This system will replace most of the existing work-based categories such as the HSMP, Business Visas, Work Permits, etc. The following categories have now come into force in place of those:
For highly skilled workers, investors and entrepreneurs
Highly skilled workers, investors, entrepreneurs and foreign students who have graduated from a UK university can apply under the new points-based system.
You do not need to have a specific job offer, but you will need to pass a points-based assessment to be eligible to apply.
For sponsored skilled workers
If you have a job offer from a UK-based employer who is prepared to sponsor you, you can apply for permission to enter or stay in the United Kingdom. We can make all the necessary arrangements for you and your employer to obtain the permission for you to work in the UK.
For workers from the European Economic Area and Switzerland
If you are a national of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, you are free to enter and stay in the United Kingdom.
If you are a national of a state that recently joined the EU you may have to register with the UK Border Agency or apply for permission before you start to work.
Other categories
Other categories under which you can apply are clinical attachments and dental observer posts, domestic workers, entertainers, film crew on location, overseas qualified doctors taking the PLAB test, postgraduate doctors and dentists and sole representatives of overseas firms. Contact us for further details.
There are many immigration services providers now, but would you seriously want to jeopardise your chances of coming to the UK by instructing somone who is not a FULLY qualified Solicitor?
You can have total confidence in our ability to provide you the very best service at all times
To qualify for the UK spouse visa you and your spouse or civil partner must show:
a) That you are both 21 years of age or over.
b) That you have met each other and you must be legally married.
c) That you intend to live together on a permanent basis.
d) That you have sufficient funds to support yourselves (and any dependants) without claiming public funds.
e) That you have suitable accommodation available for you, your spouse and any dependants.
Initially visas for spouse immigration are issued for a two year period. After this time, a person can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) commonly known as permanent residency in the UK.
Children of the marriage who are under 18 years of age will be granted entry to the UK as dependants. They will be able to make their application at the same time as the main applicant.
After a total period of three years in the country if you meet the residence requirements you may then apply for British naturalization in order to remain in the country under a grant of UK citizenship.
Spouses
Spousal visas, often also referred to as a UK marriage visa, enables fiances, same sex partners and spouses of UK citizens or persons that are permanent residents in the UK, to apply to enter the UK or to remain in the UK on the basis that they are to be married to, or about to have a civil partnership with or are already married to, a person who is present and settled in the UK.
Being settled in the UK means that you are ordinarily resident in the UK with no immigration restrictions on the length of your stay.
If your application for a UK spouse visa is successful you will be eligible to work in the UK as soon as the spouse visa is granted.
Visitors
A UK visit visa otherwise sometimes referred to as a tourist visa, allows a person to travel and stay in the UK for up to six months. It also covers people coming to the UK for business trips or medical treatment and those passing through the UK.
The UK tourist visa lasts for up to two years if it is granted for multiple entries. A person can stay on a visitor visa for a maximum of six months except for medical visitors who can extend their leave to remain if required.
To be eligible for a UK visit visa you must be able to support and accommodate yourself without recourse to public funds.
You must also intend to return home at the expiry of your UK travel visa.
If a person has family settled in the UK an Entry Clearance Officer may question a person's intention to return home. For a UK visit visa to be granted it is important to note that it is not just your Immigration history that will be taken into account but that of your family.
Student visas are a completely separate category as are business visas. Please click the links above for further information in that regard.
Medical Visitor visas are often issued to individuals who wish to attend the UK for medical treatment. In the past, the UK was a highly respected destination for medical Visitors.
It is important to note that a Medical Visitor visa can only be granted in certain cases and the treatment must be privately paid for.
A medical visa is granted for six months at a time and is renewable for the duration of the treatment. Once again the grant can either be for a single entry, or for multiple entries for those people who wish to continue their treatment as an outpatient, only flying into the UK for appointments.
Entering into the UK even for a visit can be complicated and frustrating. By using non qualified so called experts you are putting yourself at risk of being refused entry on arrival to the UK causing you untold financial loss and embarassment and you may be barred from entering the UK again for 10 years.
Why take a chance?
Let our specialist qualified Solicitors take care of your immigration applications.
Students
Applying for a UK student visa allows you to come to the United Kingdom to embark upon a course of study in excess of six months duration.
The student visa in itself does not constitute a route to settlement; it does not confer indefinite leave to remain in the UK (ILR) often known as permanent residence and it will not lead to the opportunity to become a UK citizen through British Naturalization.
However, a visa for student immigration may allow you to switch to another UK immigration service without leaving the country, upon the successful completion of your course.
You may also take up paid employment of up to 20 hours (unless it is a work placement) and you can undertake more hours during vacation periods.
A UK student visa applicant must show that they have been accepted onto a course of study at either:
a) A publicly-funded institution of further or higher education (for example a university)
b) A bonafide private education institution that maintains satisfactory records of enrolment and attendance for students and offers courses which lead to qualifications recognised by the appropriate accreditation bodies.
c) An independent fee-paying school outside the maintained sector.
There are many establishments that have given bona fide teaching establishments and bad name. It is vital that you check that the establishment of your choice is not blacklisted.
Applicants for UK student visas must intend to follow either:
a) A recognised full-time degree course.
b) A weekday course at a single institution that involves at least 15 hours of organized daytime study a week.
c) A full-time course of study at an independent fee-paying school.
Students must be able to meet the costs of their course and accommodation and the maintenance of themselves and any dependents without undertaking full-time employment or engaging in business or having recourse to public funds.
Applicants should also intend to leave the country at the end of their studies.
Special Cases
There are vast numbers of other types of visas and applications that can be made.
Immigration law is a very complex area and easy to get wrong. The UK Border Agency have a keen eye for detail and are trained, rightly or wrongly to find and challenge suspect applications. These applications may be innocent errors but the UK Authorities care little for errors made by your legal advisors.
We always strongly urge potential entrants to the UK to think carefully about engaging the services of non Solicitors in the minefield. To get your application wrong will undboutedly have disasterous financial and other consequences.
You could even innocently be barred from netering the UK again for 10 years if the UK Border Agency considers your application fraudlent.
We are experts in advising you on all types of visas such as:
UK Dependency Visas
UK Ancestry Visas
Working Holidaymaker Visas
UK Au Pair Visas
Tier 1 to Tier 5 Points Based System applications
UK Right of Abode Visas
Specialist Category Visas such as Medical and Engineering Visas
Ankara Agreement Visas
and so on.
Please contact us if you wish to enter the Uk and we will give you honest , legally correct advise at all times.
Indefinate Leave To Remain and British Citizenship
An application for permanent residency in the UK can be made by people who have previously been successful in applying for a visa in Britain in a category leading to settlement.
There are eligibility criteria to meet and periods of residence in the UK must also be met. By allowing us to act on your behalf throughout your process of integration into the UK you can be assured of a safe, trouble free route to British Citizenship.
Getting the applications in on time and completed correctly takes expert advise and support from a professional.
Our dedicated Solicitors in Penn Chambers must be the right choice for such an important complex task.
Business Law Department
Company Formation
One of the most important decisions you will make is deciding the structure of your business.
Sadly though, many companies pay little attention to this significant issue. The structure of your company has significant if not critical tax, legal liability and other administrative implications.
Of utmost importance before setting up a company is to consider what you wish to do with the company in the medium and long term. If you wish to sell it as a going concern sometimes it may be wise to set up a limited company.
In the short term however, if you do not expect to make substantial income from the business it may be wise to set up as a sloe trader because there can be tax advantages in doing so.
There are several different types of company for example:
a) Sole Trader
b) Partnership
c) Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
d) Limited Company
Consideration needs to be given to what type of company will suit your business goals and financial aspirations.
Do you for example try to set up the company offshore? Do you set up a company limited by shares or by guarantee?
Making the right decision at the outset can potentially save bundles of tax and save on later headaches.
Setting up a company is easy - making the right initial decision is not necessarily that straightforward.
Using our specialist Solicitors within Penn Chambers can set you on the right path; as a "partner" in your business decision making process you can be assured of sensible commercially sound outcomes that suit your particular unique set of circumstances.
Our company/commercial Solicitors can guide you not only on set up - but throughout the time you are in business, helping you to avoid the common pitfalls and mistakes all fledgling businesses make.
We want to understand your specific company's needs that way we can pinpoint opportunities for the future for your business for the future.
business intelligence and data - information that may be very useful to your competitors.
Our specialist Solicitors in Penn Chambers can advise the company to ensure its safety and future success by drafting tightly worded Service Contracts for directors.
Disputes are the bane of our lives and as a busy businessman these can be more that a mere irritation they can affect the very existence of your business.
Where unforeseen circumstances lead to disputes between Partners, Members, or Directors we can advise the company of its legal options and obligations and hopefully assist the company to create sensible holistic and peaceful solutions to those problems.
Ultimately, where Partners, Members, or Directors need to be disciplined, removed or prevented from taking unfair action, your company can be safely protected and advised at all junctures.
In our view that is what a good company/commercial Solicitor will do.
We can always take a fair but firm, pragmatic yet commercially sound stance on your behalf.
Our company/commercial Solicitors are not just lawyers, they are sound business men and women in their own right.
With our colleagues in our sister company, Penn Accounts we have a vast array of advisory talent available at our disposal at all times. Ensuring that you get the best information on time every time.
Directors
Directors (or Partners or Members) are the lifeblood of any business. Good directors in a business can make it thrive and expand and exceed expectations of good governance as well as profitability.
Such directors are a rare breed. As a business owner you would want to "lock" good directors into your business making their appointments attractive and worthwhile for both you and the director concerned.
Sensible Directors Service Contracts work both ways, serving you as a business owner and the Director to ensure that he is content and willing to always go the extra mile for the business.
These contracts may also have restrictive covenants contained in them to prevent loss of valuable
Shareholders
No company can surivive without shareholders. They are the investors in your business. Without investment, there is no business. It is as simple as that.
Often in smaller companies the shareholders and the director and the "owner" of the business are one and the same few people.
However, as companies grow, it can be a sensible move to bring in new shareholders to raise capital for business growth or bring in expertise that the company may otherwise lack.
Whatever the reason, a good, tightly worded Shareholders Agreement is vital to the security of any business.
Such agreements look professional and are likely to further encourage inward financial investment because the investors know you mean business.
Majority and controlling interest shareholders can also pose a substantial risk to a business.
They may wish to sell their shares on at the point at which the business can ill afford to purchase those shares back.
There may be disputes over valuations, or disputes over the management of the business.
They may wish to sell their shares to a rival or a third party who would upset the peace and security of the Boardroom.
Relying on the "implied" shareholder duties, responsibilities and obligations in a standard company formation pack, often known as Table A, is to rely on solutions bought our of a box and not bespoke to your individual company needs.
The sensible way to avoid such difficulties is to prevent them from occuring in the first place. A well written Shareholders Agreement will attend to that - after all, prevention is better that cure.
