List of lawyers

We offer guidance for LGBTQ+ people who are in the UK, and going through the asylum system, or those who want to make an immigration application to live with their partner in the UK.  

If you need help finding a lawyer, see the list below. Please be aware that not all the firms handle asylum applications. 

If you can’t afford a lawyer to assist with your asylum claim, you are likely be eligible to get free help. This is called legal aid. Click below to see if you are eligible for legal aid.  

Check if you can get legal aid

Each listing below includes information on whether the firm offers legal aid or not. 

Read more about the database, the criteria for affiliation and listings and feedback and complaints procedures. 

Arona St James Solicitors

Email: jamil@AronaStJames.co.uk Arona@AronaStJames.co.uk

Telephone: 020 8175 5000

Description: Specialist immigration & asylum practice. Arona Sarwar has 18 years experience handling LGBT matters, and handles both Personal and Corporate Immigration issues. Jamil Dhanji is an experienced barrister, specialising in immigration, asylum and EEA cases.

Legal aid: NO ❌ 

Website: https://aronastjames.co.uk/

Bates Wells

Email: T.Barnden@bateswells.co.uk m.james@bateswells.co.uk a.bennington@bateswells.co.uk

Telephone: 020 7551 7777

Description: Bates Wells is a full service firm with a small but very highly regarded immigration department headed by Tim Barnden. Tim is well known for his work on LGBT+ immigration and asylum and is a former Chair of Rainbow Migration’s trustees. Bates Wells don’t offer legal aid and so take on very little asylum work. They specialise more in personal, family and couple-based immigration as well as wider work-based options and students.

Legal aid: NO ❌ 

Website: http://www.bateswells.co.uk

Bindmans LLP

Email: info@bindmans.com alison.stanley@bindmans.com liz.barratt@bindmans.com

Telephone: 020 7833 4433

Description: We have extensive experience of working with LGBT clients, providing expert advice in immigration matters, on relationships and parenting, challenging discrimination in employment and other legal issues.

Legal aid: YES ✔️ 

Website: https://www.bindmans.com/

Bishop & Sewell LLP (incorporating Fisher Meredith)

Email: mkhaliq@bishopandsewell.co.uk

Telephone: 020 7091 2731

Description: Friendly team of specialist immigration lawyers with experience of handling a wide range of same sex immigration and nationality cases. Chambers and Legal 500 listed central London firm.

Legal aid: NO ❌ 

Website: http://www.bishopandsewell.co.uk

Broudie Jackson Canter

Email: mwalker@broudiejacksoncanter.co.uk jmason@broudiejacksoncanter.co.uk girving@broudiejacksoncanter.co.uk

Telephone: 0151 282 1961

Description: North West law firm specialising in Immigration and Asylum & Human Rights. One of the largest Immigration teams in Liverpool and Manchester to offer legal aid and privately paid services.

Legal aid: YES ✔️ 

Website: https://www.jacksonlees.co.uk/broudiejacksoncanter

Danielle Cohen Solicitors

Email: danielle.cohen@daniellecohen.co.uk assistant@daniellecohen.co.uk

Telephone: 020 7267 4133

Description: Niche firm of specialist Immigration & Human Rights Solicitors. Danielle Cohen has over 20 years’ experience as an Immigration Lawyer and a reputation for offering professional, honest, expert advice, with extensive experience and a wide client base in relation to same-sex couples.

Legal aid: NO ❌ 

Website: https://www.daniellecohen.co.uk/

Ellisons Solicitors

Email: enquiries@ellisonssolicitors.com

Telephone: 01206 764455

Description: Established for more than 250 years, we have a proven track record of providing clients with first class service and advice, enabling them to make the right decisions. We have experience in all aspects of law and have dealt with many cases for the LGBT community.

Legal aid: NO ❌ 

Website: https://www.ellisonssolicitors.com

Gray & Co.

Email: info@grayandcoglasgow.co.uk

Telephone: 0141 946 7777

Description: Our company deals with all aspects of immigration, and we have been doing so for over 20 years.

Legal aid: YES ✔️ 

Website: https://www.grayandcoglasgow.co.uk/

Greater Manchester Immigration Aid Unit

Email: referrals@gmiau.org

Telephone: 0161 740 7722

Description: Can only take cases in the Greater Manchester and Merseyside region. For details of how to access our services please fill out the relevant form at the link below.

Legal aid: YES ✔️ 

Website: https://gmiau.org/help-and-advice/services/#referrals

Hackney Community Law Centre

Email: admin@hclc.org.uk

Telephone: 020 8985 5236

Description: Not for profit charity providing free legal advice in social welfare and immigration law. Approachable gay friendly staff.

Legal aid: YES ✔️ 

Website: https://www.hclc.org.uk/

Latitude Law

Email: gmcindoe@latitudelaw.com jreiss@latitudelaw.com

Telephone: 0161 234 6800 / 0207 046 7185

Description: Manchester and London based private practice specialising in all aspects of immigration, asylum and human rights law. We have particular expertise with fresh protection claims raising LGBTQI+ issues, and advising on ID & documentation issues for trans clients. We only accept referrals for private matters.

Legal aid: NO ❌ 

Website: http://www.latitudelaw.com

Luqmani Thompson

Email: enq@luqmanithompson.com

Telephone: 020 8365 7800

Description: This firm undertakes a mixture of private client and legal aid work.

Legal aid: YES ✔️ 

Website: https://luqmanithompson.com/

Magrath Sheldrick LLP Solicitors

Email: enquiries@magrath.co.uk ben.sheldrick@magrath.co.uk

Telephone: 020 74953003

Description: Magrath Sheldrick LLP is a highly regarded “top-tier” immigration and employment law practice based in Chancery Lane. The firm has 30 years’ experience in all aspects of UK immigration laws and procedures, including a strong private-client and family-based suite of services including same-sex applications

Legal aid: NO ❌ 

Website: https://www.magrath.co.uk/

OTB Legal

Email: hello@otb.legal

Telephone: 0330 111 6682

Description: OTB Legal is a niche immigration law firm based in Nottingham but acting for clients worldwide. Its personal immigration team is very experienced in partner applications including complex applications involving exceptional circumstances and raising human rights. We offer a free initial assessment and then fixed fees for advice and applications.

Legal aid: NO

Website: https://otb.legal

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP

Email: pat.saini@penningtons.co.uk

Telephone: 020 7457 3000

Description: Penningtons’ friendly, specialist team has extensive experience in all aspects of immigration and nationality law and a strong reputation in challenging unfair decisions. Referrals for private matters only.

Legal aid: NO ❌ 

Website: http://www.penningtonslaw.com

TRP Solicitors

Email: mfinch@trpsolicitors.co.uk smcloughlin@trpsolicitors.co.uk pas@trpsolicitors.co.uk

Telephone: Tel: 0121 616 4700

Description: Specialist immigration practice with strong human rights focus. We have brought a number of leading cases on family life rights. It is best to contact us through the form below, not via email.

Legal aid: YES ✔️ 

Website: https://www.trpsolicitors.co.uk/contact/

Turpin & Miller LLP

Email: ksoroya@turpinmiller.co.uk

Telephone: 01865 770 111

Description: Our experienced asylum team supports clients to navigate the asylum process and we have a particular specialism in claims based on gender and sexual identity. We also cover all aspects of immigration.

Legal aid: YES ✔️ 

Website: https://www.turpinmiller.co.uk

Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP

Email: contact@gryklaw.com barry@gryklaw.com alison@gryklaw.com

Telephone: 02074016887

Description: Listed by the Legal 500, and Chambers and Partners, as one of the UK’s leading immigration firms.

Legal aid: NO ❌ 

Website: https://www.gryklaw.com/

Wilson LLP Solicitors

Email: m.davies@wilsonllp.co.uk j.elliott@wilsonllp.co.uk a.gonzalez@wilsonllp.co.uk

Telephone: 020 8808 7535

Description: Specialists in same-sex work with 20 years experience. Fixed fees available. Listed in Chambers and Legal 500 as leaders in immigration law. Stonewall Award winner.

Legal aid: YES ✔️ 

Website: https://www.wilsonllp.co.uk/