Free Hybrid Seminar – Conduct unbecoming – managing allegations of dishonesty in immigration cases

Allegations of dishonesty have become more common in the field of business migration. These can have serious consequences, leading to suitability and other kinds of refusal, not only defeating the present application but creating barriers for future ones. We will also cover the related topic of “genuineness” in the context of migrant worker vacancies.

In this course we will:

• Outline the critical aspects of rules and guidance concerned with suitability, focussing on conduct issues concerned with dishonesty and misrepresentation
• Detail the approach of the courts
• Highlight triggers for dishonesty allegations
• Provide guidance on countering such allegations when responding to minded to refuse letters; and how to challenge adverse findings

Speakers 

Ubah Dirie, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers (Chair)
Ubah Dirie is recognised as a tenacious and client focused advocate who specialises in advice, representation and advocacy in all areas of immigration, asylum, nationality, EU free movement, deportation and detention. She regularly appears in the First tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal. Ubah has developed a reputation as a practitioner who has the ability to explain complex points of law in a simple and straightforward way. Her empathy and manner towards clients mark her out as a clear choice in difficult cases. As such, she is frequently instructed to represent vulnerable individuals including victims of trafficking, unaccompanied asylum seeking children and those with complex mental health issues or without capacity. Ubah also has a particular interest in immigration matters involving EEA nationals and their family members. She has gained extensive experience in representing third country nationals in retained rights appeals and sham marriage cases.

Mark Symes, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Mark Symes provides advice and representation in all areas of immigration, asylum, and human rights law, including European Union free movement law. He has represented clients in every court from the Tribunal to the Supreme Court, and the European Court of Human Rights. Mark deals with all aspects of business immigration work including Sponsor licence challenges, strategy when right to work queries arise, and personal business immigration applications in the investor and entrepreneur legacy routes, and all modern routes ranging from global talent and innovators to Skilled Worker. He also represents all kinds of private clients in personal and family immigration routes, in asylum matters and complex cases outside the rules. He is one of the elite top-ranked barristers for immigration in Chambers UK (Band 1) and the Legal 500.

David Jones, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
David is an extremely experienced practitioner with more than 25 years experience in a wide range of areas, including immigration and nationality law, asylum and human rights law, civil liberties and administrative and public law. He has appeared regularly over the course of his practice at all tiers of the Courts, from the Immigration Asylum Chamber through the High Court and Court of Appeal and up to the European Court of Human Rights. David’s commitment extends beyond his work in the Courts and Tribunals as an advocate. He is a Director and Co-Founder of two companies which deliver training on and conduct research into human rights and public law and practice domestically and internationally.

Zehrah Hasan, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Zehrah Hasan practises across immigration, asylum, and public law, with particular expertise in LGBTQI+ asylum, human rights cases, detention challenges, and representing survivors of torture, gender-based violence, trafficking, and exploitation. She is also routinely instructed on strategic cases for NGOs as sole and junior Counsel. Zehrah has a broad and active personal and business immigration practice, which includes issues concerning: skilled worker routes, visit visas, applications for those with British partners or children, long residence and private life matters, adult dependent relatives, citizenship cases, and for EEA nationals. Zehrah also accepts instructions on sponsor licence decisions, having been involved in a vast array of campaigns and policy interventions on issues impacting migrant workers and the reaches of the hostile environment. She has experience at all levels of advocacy, regularly appearing in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals, and in the High Court.

Reserve your ticket
In-person tickets are limited by the venue’s capacity. After you have completed the form, we will be back in touch to confirm whether a place is available at the event.

If you have booked an online ticket, we will send joining details to all those who have signed up on the day of the event. If you have not received the link by 2pm on 15th September, and it is not in your junk inbox, please email webinars@gclaw.co.uk.