Professional Background & Academic Excellence
Leona Shala serves as a Legal Advisor within Connaught Law's Immigration Department, widely recognised as a fearless and determined advocate who thrives in high-pressure environments with a reputation for meticulous attention to detail. Since beginning her immigration law career in March 2021, Leona has developed substantial experience across a broad spectrum of matters including asylum claims, settlement applications, family immigration routes, deportation challenges, judicial reviews, and administrative reviews.
Her academic achievements reflect exceptional dedication to legal excellence. Leona achieved a First-Class Honours Law degree (LLB) from Staffordshire University before being called to the Bar of England and Wales by the Inner Temple in 2023. Alongside the Bar Course, she completed a master's in legal practice specialising in Immigration Law, further strengthening her knowledge in this demanding field and equipping her with advanced knowledge of immigration legislation, case law, and procedural frameworks.
Leona also brings valuable experience in criminal and extradition law, which enhances her ability to manage particularly complex and sensitive cases where immigration matters intersect with criminal proceedings. This crossover expertise proves especially important when working on cases involving deportation orders linked to criminal convictions or where extradition requests complicate immigration status. Her bilingual fluency in English and Albanian enables effective communication with Albanian-speaking clients navigating the UK immigration system.
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons): First-Class Honours from Staffordshire University — outstanding undergraduate legal education demonstrating exceptional academic capability
- Bar Qualification: Called to the Bar of England and Wales by the Inner Temple (2023)
- Master of Laws (LLM): Specialising in Immigration Law — advanced postgraduate study deepening immigration legislation expertise and case law analysis
- Professional Experience: Substantial immigration law expertise since March 2021, with additional experience in criminal and extradition law
- Bilingual Capability: Professional fluency in English and Albanian supporting effective communication with diverse client communities
Immigration Law Experience
Leona's immigration experience spans the full breadth of UK immigration law, from straightforward entry clearance applications to the most complex asylum and deportation matters. Her experience encompasses family immigration routes including spouse and partner visas, parent applications, and dependent claims under Appendix FM, alongside long residence applications for individuals who have established deep roots in the United Kingdom over extended periods of continuous lawful residence.
Her asylum and refugee law experience addresses some of the most sensitive and high-stakes matters in immigration practice. Leona supports individuals seeking international protection under the Refugee Convention and European Convention on Human Rights, preparing detailed asylum claims that articulate persecution fears, identify country of origin evidence, and present compelling legal arguments for protection. Her approach combines legal rigour with genuine sensitivity to the trauma and vulnerability that asylum seekers frequently experience.
Leona also has experience handling business immigration matters, supporting employers and skilled workers navigating the points-based immigration system, and immigration detention cases. Her comprehensive understanding of settlement routes ensures clients pursuing indefinite leave to remain receive thorough guidance on eligibility criteria, evidential requirements, and strategic application timing.
- Asylum & Refugee Law: Protection claims under the Refugee Convention and ECHR, country of origin evidence analysis, and detailed asylum interview preparation
- Family Immigration: Spouse, partner, parent, and dependent visa applications under Appendix FM with comprehensive evidence coordination
- Settlement & Long Residence: Indefinite leave to remain applications through settlement routes and long residence provisions for established UK residents
- Entry Clearance Applications: Visitor visas, work visas, and family entry clearance submissions ensuring compliance with Immigration Rules
- Business Immigration: Points-based system applications for employers and skilled workers navigating UK work immigration requirements
- Immigration Detention: Bail applications, challenges to continued detention, asylum support
Complex Immigration Litigation & Appeals
Leona has significant experience with immigration and deportation cases, including appeals to the First-tier and Upper Tribunal, judicial review applications, and challenges to deportation orders and removal directions. Her background has equipped her with strong skills in presenting complex legal arguments, analysing cases, and understanding tribunal procedures.
She works on deportation and removal matters that have profound consequences for clients, determining whether they can remain in the UK with their families or face return to countries where they may be at risk. Drawing on her experience in criminal and extradition law, she identifies legal strategies that address both immigration and criminal law aspects of these cases.
Leona also has experience reviewing and challenging Home Office decisions through judicial review, identifying procedural errors, legal mistakes, and decisions that may be unreasonable.
- Immigration Appeals: Preparation for First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal appeals with comprehensive case preparation and evidence bundling
- Judicial Review Proceedings: Preparation for Administrative Court challenges to unlawful Home Office decisions with detailed grounds drafting
- Deportation Challenges: Challenging deportation orders and removal directions
- Human Rights Claims: Article 8 ECHR applications demonstrating disproportionate interference with private and family life through detailed proportionality analysis
- Administrative Reviews: Challenging Home Office errors through administrative review procedures and fresh application submissions with strengthened evidence
- Legal Research & Strategy: Extensive case law analysis, strategic case development, and complex matter coordination ensuring procedural compliance and optimal litigation outcomes
Client Commitment & Professional Approach
Leona's reputation as a fearless and determined advocate stems from her unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for every client. She recognises that immigration decisions carry profound consequences for individuals and families — affecting their safety, livelihood, relationships, and future prospects — and she approaches each case with the intensity and dedication these circumstances demand. Her ability to thrive under pressure ensures that even the most challenging cases receive focused, strategic attention throughout the legal process.
Her bilingual fluency in English and Albanian provides an important advantage for Albanian-speaking clients who benefit from direct communication with their legal advisor without the barriers that language differences can introduce during sensitive immigration proceedings. This linguistic capability, combined with her experience of travelling and engaging with different cultures, contributes to a culturally sensitive and empathetic approach to client service.
Outside of her legal practice, Leona is an enthusiastic horse rider who enjoys travelling and experiencing different cultures. She also enjoys playing tennis and hiking — pursuits that reflect the energy, discipline, and resilience she brings to her professional work at Connaught Law.
Leona's Professional Commitment: Every case reflects Leona's determination, meticulous preparation, and fearless advocacy. Her combination of a First-Class LLB, Bar qualification from the Inner Temple, LLM in Immigration Law, and substantial practical experience since 2021 ensures clients receive exceptional legal support across the full spectrum of immigration and human rights matters at Connaught Law.
Connect With Leona & Our Immigration Team
✓ Immigration & Asylum Expertise
Comprehensive support for asylum claims, family immigration, settlement applications, entry clearance, business immigration, and detention matters with determined advocacy
✓ Complex Litigation & Appeals
First-tier and Upper Tribunal appeals, judicial review proceedings, deportation challenges, and human rights claims with strategic case development and evidence preparation
✓ Bilingual Legal Services
Professional legal advice in English and Albanian ensuring effective communication for Albanian-speaking clients throughout complex immigration proceedings and litigation matters
For expert immigration and asylum legal support from Leona Shala and our specialist team, contact Connaught Law today. Our dedicated immigration professionals provide determined advocacy combining advanced immigration law specialisation and genuine commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for clients facing complex immigration challenges.
Connaught Law Limited | Immigration legal advisor with specialist asylum, litigation, and human rights expertise