An immigration appeal puts your case before an independent judge who can simply disagree with the Home Office — the strongest remedy in the system, and the one where preparation shows most. Connaught Law's immigration appeal solicitors represent appellants at the First-tier and Upper Tribunals, in the UK and from abroad.
· Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority · Legal 500 · Lexcel
How We Can Help
When You Can Appeal
Appeal rights attach mainly to human rights and protection decisions: family visa refusals, refusals of leave engaging private and family life, asylum and humanitarian protection refusals, EU Settlement Scheme decisions, and revocations of protection status. Many other refusals carry administrative review instead — the refusal letter states which applies, and reading it correctly is step one. We confirm your route and your deadline the day you contact us.
Process & Deadlines
Appeals go to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) — generally within 14 days of the decision from inside the UK, 28 days from overseas. Late appeals need the tribunal's permission and a good reason. After lodging: directions, the Home Office bundle, your evidence, and a hearing listed months later — time we use to build the case rather than wait.
Building a Winning Appeal
Appeals are won on evidence assembled after the refusal, not the file that was refused: detailed witness statements that anticipate cross-examination, documentary evidence answering each refusal reason, country evidence and expert reports where they carry weight, and a skeleton argument that gives the judge the route to allowing it. The refusal letter is our checklist — every reason gets an answer.
The Hearing
Most appeals are decided at an oral hearing — in person or by video — with evidence, cross-examination by the Home Office presenting officer, and submissions. Preparation is the difference between a witness who tells their story and one who gets tangled: we prepare every appellant and witness properly, and instruct experienced counsel where the case warrants it. Decisions usually follow in writing within weeks.
Upper Tribunal & Beyond
Losing at the First-tier isn't necessarily the end: where the judge made an error of law, we seek permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal — and the Home Office uses the same route against allowed appeals, so we defend wins too. Beyond the tribunals lie the higher courts for the small number of cases that raise points of principle.
If You Have No Appeal Right
Where the decision carries no appeal, the remedies are administrative review for caseworking errors or judicial review for unlawful decisions — different tests, different deadlines, same urgency. We advise across all three, so the route chosen is the one that fits your case rather than the one a firm happens to sell.
How We Work
First, a merits review of the refusal — appeals are winnable when the evidence can be rebuilt, and we say honestly when they're not. Then the appeal is lodged in time, the evidence programme starts immediately, and you know at each stage what's filed, what's next and what the realistic prospects are. Nothing waits for the hearing date to come to us.
For appellants outside the UK we run the entire appeal remotely — statements, evidence and instructions across time zones — and arrange video evidence where the tribunal permits it.
Why Connaught Law
01Evidence rebuilt, not resubmittedThe application that was refused doesn't win appeals — the case we build after it does.
02Prepared witnessesStatements written to survive cross-examination, and appellants who walk in knowing what to expect.
03Senior attention throughoutYour appeal is run by our experienced immigration team, not passed down — with direct access to the person handling it.
04Honest merits adviceIf an appeal can't win, we say so before you spend a year and a fee finding out.
Fee structures are set out on our fees page — agreed for each stage before it starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an immigration appeal take?
Typically many months from lodging to hearing, varying with the hearing centre's lists, plus a few weeks for the written decision. We use that time deliberately — the appeals that win are usually the ones whose evidence improved most between refusal and hearing.
How do I win an immigration appeal?
Answer every refusal reason with evidence, not argument: witness statements that hold up, documents that corroborate them, expert or country evidence where it matters, and honest handling of weak points before the Home Office raises them. Judges allow appeals when the evidence makes it easy to; that's the standard we prepare to.
Do I need a witness statement for my appeal?
Yes — it's the spine of the case: your account, in your words, addressing the refusal directly. A good statement anticipates cross-examination and is consistent with every document filed. We draft statements with appellants and witnesses carefully, because inconsistency is the Home Office's favourite argument.
Can I stay in the UK while my appeal is decided?
Usually, if you appealed from inside the UK against a decision made while you had leave — your position is generally protected while the appeal is pending. The position varies with your history and the decision type, so take advice on your specific status rather than assuming; getting this wrong has consequences.
Refused with a right of appeal?
The deadline is measured in days. Send us the decision now and we'll assess the merits, lodge in time and start building the case that wins the hearing.
Get Expert Advice