Immigration: Personal
UK-wide
6 years ranked
LAWYER PROFILE
Barry O'Leary
UK 2026
Ranked in 3 practice areas
About
Provided by Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP
Practice Areas
All areas of UK immigration and nationality law with particular emphasis on: applications for family members, human rights (especially Article 8 of the ECHR), international surrogacy and adoption, and applications on behalf of individuals who fear persecution because of their sexual identity.
Career
Qualified in 1997, joined Wesley Gryk Solicitors in January 2000, became a partner in October 2006.
Professional Memberships
Director of Micro Rainbow; ILPA.
Publications
Author of the immigration law chapter in the publication: ‘Surrogacy Law, Practice and Policy in England and Wales.’
Author of the immigration chapter of the Law Society Publication “Civil Partnership – the Law in Practice”;
Co-author of ‘International Surrogacy Arrangements’, Family Law Journal.
Personal
Born Birmingham, 10 November 1970; educated at: Solihull School; Selwyn College, Cambridge University; and College of Law, London.
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Immigration: Personal - UK-wide
Band 1
Individual Editorial
Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation - UK-wide
Band 1
Individual Editorial
DEI Champions - UK-wide
Spotlight
Individual Editorial
Barry O'Leary is an immigration lawyer who has a career-long dedication to supporting LGBTQI+ migrants. He was among the first solicitors in the UK to successfully represent gay men and lesbians in obtaining asylum in the UK on the basis of their fear of persecution because of their sexual identity. O'Leary has been a legal volunteer for nearly 25 years for the Stonewall Immigration Group/UKLGIG/Rainbow Migration and for several years for Micro Rainbow.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Barry is the clear UK leader in immigration law for surrogacy, but also such a joy to work with. He is straightforward, clear and passionate about doing the right thing and finding solutions.
Immigration: PersonalChambers Guide to the Legal ProfessionBarry came highly recommended and honestly I have yet to come across somebody who is this professional and transparent. There was complete clarity in every step of my case.
Immigration: PersonalChambers Guide to the Legal ProfessionHis open and honest approach gave me full confidence in his legal counsel for our case.
Immigration: PersonalChambers Guide to the Legal ProfessionBarry is very experienced and turns that experience to achieving success in difficult cases. He is very much a safe pair of hands.
Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and DeportationChambers Guide to the Legal ProfessionBarry is one of the very best solicitors in the immigration legal field.
Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and DeportationChambers Guide to the Legal ProfessionI felt that we were very well supported. Claiming asylum is a life-changing and very vulnerable process, and his expertise and warm attitude helped us to go through it as comfortably as possible.
Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and DeportationChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
Ranked Individuals at Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP (9)
UK-wide
Barry O'Leary
DEI Champions
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Alison Hunter
Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation
View profile Barry O'Leary
Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation
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Diana Baxter
Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation
View profile Alison Hunter
Immigration: Personal
View profile Barry O'Leary
Immigration: Personal
View profile Diana Baxter
Immigration: Personal
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Katie Dilger
Immigration: Personal
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Ciera McCartney
Immigration: Personal
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