Department profile
Bates Wells

Immigration: Personal

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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Bates Wells

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About

Provided by Bates Wells

Our Personal Immigration team has an unparalleled reputation for supporting individuals and families, as well as employers, charities and organisations seeking to secure the mobility needs of their people.

We don’t treat corporate and personal immigration as separate areas; we approach them as parts of a whole, working as one integrated team to provide clear, strategic and empathetic advice.

For more information: https://bateswells.co.uk/services/immigration/personal-immigration/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Immigration: Personal - UK-wide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For
Bates Wells is a leading personal immigration practice that advises clients on a broad range of privately funded immigration matters. The firm frequently represents individual foreign nationals, as well as the partners and families of British citizens, in applications for permanent residency and settled status. It also offers experience in UK ancestry and naturalisation applications, as well as advice on the EU Settlement Scheme.
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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • I have worked with Bates Wells for a few years, and the team's responsiveness to calls and emails, and attentiveness to requests, has remained of the highest quality.

    Immigration: Personal respondentUK

  • The different members of the team specialise in different areas, even within the niche area of immigration, meaning the level of expertise is second to none.

    Immigration: Personal respondentUK

  • The team’s expertise and track record with clients seeking legal advice for spousal visas gave comfort when it came to the application stage.

    Immigration: Personal respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Tim Barnden
    Tim Barnden

    Tim Barnden

    Tim Barnden is highly regarded for his expertise in a variety of personal immigration matters. Barnden regularly assists individuals, couples and families with permanent residence and naturalisation applications, as well as applications under the EU Settlement Scheme.

    • Tim professes an exceptional depth of knowledge of immigration law and provides sensitive advice to clients at a stressful time.

      Immigration: Personal respondentUK

    • Tim is an excellent, caring and professional lawyer who helped us to argue the case effectively.

      Immigration: Personal respondentUK

    • I was impressed by his clarity, integrity and overall approach to the case, which ultimately influenced my decision to choose this firm.

      Immigration: Personal respondentUK
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  • Matthew James
    Matthew James

    Matthew James

    Matthew James advises clients on their applications for permanent residency. He is also well versed in all aspects of the EU Settlement Scheme.

    • Matthew was very present, always responding to emails in a timely manner. He's a friendly person and made what is a stressful experience very manageable.

      Immigration: Personal respondentUK

    • Matthew was exceptional, truly going the extra mile. I was very impressed by his knowledge, commitment and excellent client-facing skills.

      Immigration: Personal respondentUK

    • I was very pleased with Matthew’s ability and professionalism handling this case.

      Immigration: Personal respondentUK
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  • Alice Bennington
    Alice Bennington

    Alice Bennington

    Alice Bennington is an associate at Bates Wells with strong expertise across citizenship matters, British nationality law, and complex matters emerging out of adoption and surrogacy.

    • Alice was always present, helpful and knowledgeable.

      Immigration: Personal respondentUK

    • Alice was fantastic. She was attentive, professional, offered superb advice and guidance, and I felt she cared about my success.

      Immigration: Personal respondentUK

    • Alice provided an excellent service.

      Immigration: Personal respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Bates Wells (3)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by Bates Wells

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