Private Immigration Solicitor – 1–3 Years PQE in London

Private Immigration Solicitor – 1–3 Years PQE

Salary: Competitive, from £40,000+ depending on experience
About Waterstone Legal Waterstone Legal is a well-established and growing law firm providing professional, client-focused legal services across a broad range of practice areas, including Immigration & Asylum, Civil Litigation, Family Law, Landlord & Tenant, Personal Injury, and Residential & Commercial Conveyancing.

Based at our London Head Office, we are looking to recruit an experienced, motivated and commercially aware Private Immigration Solicitor with 1–3 years' PQE to join and lead our expanding Immigration team.

The Role The successful candidate will manage a varied caseload of private-client immigration matters, providing clear, practical and strategic advice to individuals and families on all aspects of UK immigration and nationality law.

In addition to managing their own caseload, the successful candidate will take responsibility for leading, supervising and supporting the Immigration team.

This will include allocating work, monitoring case progression, maintaining high professional standards and supporting the development and performance of team members.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified solicitor with proven private immigration experience who is ready to take on greater responsibility for team leadership, client relationships, case management and the continued growth of the department.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing a varied caseload of private immigration matters from initial instruction through to completion
• Leading and managing the day-to-day work of the Immigration team
• Supervising, supporting and mentoring solicitors, paralegals, trainees and other team members
• Allocating matters and monitoring workloads to ensure work is managed efficiently and deadlines are met
• Reviewing files, applications, legal submissions and correspondence to maintain high standards of quality and accuracy
• Conducting regular case reviews and ensuring matters progress promptly and effectively
• Providing technical guidance and practical support to team members on complex immigration matters
• Supporting the training, development and performance of team members
• Promoting effective communication, collaboration and accountability within the team
• Ensuring the team complies with all professional, regulatory and internal policies and procedures
• Identifying operational improvements and helping to develop efficient systems and working practices
• Supporting the management and continued growth of the firm's Private Immigration practice
• Assisting with business development, client relationship management and the promotion of the department's services
• Advising individuals and families on UK immigration and nationality law
• Handling spouse, partner, fiancé(e), parent and other family visa applications
• Advising on Indefinite Leave to Remain, settlement and extension applications
• Handling British citizenship, naturalisation and registration applications
• Advising on long residence, private life and human rights-based applications
• Handling visitor visa applications and other private immigration routes
• Advising on applications under the EU Settlement Scheme, where applicable
• Preparing and submitting high-quality immigration and nationality applications with supporting documentation
• Assessing complex immigration histories and identifying the most appropriate legal and strategic options for clients
• Drafting detailed representations, legal submissions, witness statements and client correspondence
• Advising clients on refusals, administrative reviews, appeals and other available remedies
• Liaising with the Home Office, tribunals, clients, counsel and relevant third parties
• Providing sensitive and professional support to clients, including vulnerable individuals and families
• Keeping clients informed throughout the progress of their matters
• Maintaining accurate and compliant files using the firm's case management systems
• Keeping up to date with developments in UK immigration law, the Immigration Rules and Home Office guidance
  Candidate Requirements The ideal candidate will:
• Be a qualified Solicitor in England & Wales
• Have approximately 1–3 years' post-qualification experience (PQE)
• Have demonstrable experience in Private Immigration law
• Have experience managing a range of family, settlement, nationality and human rights-based immigration matters
• Possess strong and up-to-date knowledge of UK immigration and nationality law, rules and procedures
• Have the confidence and ability to lead, manage and motivate a team
• Have previous supervisory or team leadership experience, or be able to demonstrate clear readiness to take on a leadership role
• Be capable of allocating work, monitoring performance and maintaining high standards across the team
• Be comfortable reviewing the work of others and providing constructive feedback and technical guidance
• Be confident managing matters independently with appropriate supervision
• Be able to assess complex cases and provide clear, practical and commercially appropriate advice
• Have excellent drafting, research and analytical skills
• Demonstrate excellent client care and communication skills
• Be confident working with clients from a wide range of backgrounds, including vulnerable individuals
• Be highly organised, with strong attention to detail
• Be able to manage competing priorities, deadlines and a busy caseload effectively
• Have strong IT skills and experience using legal case management systems
• Be proactive, professional and committed to delivering high-quality legal services
• Demonstrate strong commercial awareness and an interest in developing and growing the department
  What We Offer • Competitive salary from £40,000+, depending on experience
• Full-time position based at our London Head Office
• Opportunity to lead and develop a growing Private Immigration team
• Greater responsibility for team management and departmental development
• Exposure to a varied and interesting caseload
• Supportive and professional working environment
• Career development and progression opportunities
• Role: Private Immigration Solicitor
• PQE: 1–3 years

Employment: Full-time
Apply If you are an experienced and motivated Private Immigration Solicitor with the ability to lead and manage a team, we would be pleased to hear from you.

Please send your CV and a brief covering email to

l. bachchis@wslegal. co. uk www. waterstonelegal. co. uk