Children born in the UK to non-British citizens can have an entitlement to British citizenship and we are able to offer expert advice on this area of law. This includes advising on applications for discretionary registration as British citizens for children, including children in the care of the local authority.
A goal of many migrants is to obtain the citizenship of their long term country of residence. The main option for many individuals is to apply to naturalise as a British citizen. The Home Office guidance and nationality regulations have undergone many changes in recent years and it is therefore important to seek advice on your position and the options available to you.
We also assist with applications for a Certificate of Entitlement to the Right of Abode in the UK who those individuals who have an historic link to the UK.
Given the breadth of our specialist knowledge, we are able to offer our clients a continuous service. This includes guiding clients through the UK immigration laws from their first arrival in the UK through to a grant of British citizenship.
Experience
The Immigration, Asylum and Nationality team’s cases include:
R (on the application of) SA v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2015] EWHC 1611 (Admin) 08 June 2015
This successful case outcome resulted from a challenge of the Secretary of State’s (SSHD) decision to refuse to register a young person as a British citizen. The refusal resulted from the client’s previous conditional discharge for the possession of cannabis. The challenge focused on the SSHD’s application of her policy on the good character requirement in registration applications. The decision confirms that all of the applicant’s circumstances must be considered when applying the good character requirement. Furthermore, the nature and severity of the offence are relevant to the decision-making process, as is Article 8 ECHR, which can be engaged in citizenship applications.