Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors

Based in central London, Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors is a leading UK firm specialising in immigration, human rights, and nationality law, providing services to both businesses and individuals. The firm advises on the full spectrum of the UK’s points-based system and handles personal immigration matters. It also offers expertise in civil litigation, family, corporate, and employment law.

Founded in 1985 in Kensington and now operating from Holborn, the firm has established itself as one of the UK’s foremost immigration practices, with 38 years of experience. It was founded by long-serving Immigration Judges and has achieved significant milestones, including approximately 4,500 successful applications, oversight of over 3,000 litigation cases, more than 240 in-house appeals in the past three years, and receipt of over 40 judicial compliments in written judgments within the same period. The firm has a proven track record at the Court of Appeal and above and is regularly consulted by media outlets for expert opinion.

Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors serves a wide range of clients on business immigration matters, including UK football clubs, leading care homes, medium to large pharmacies, tobacco companies, and large restaurant franchises. It also acts for investors, innovators, and other individuals navigating the points-based system.

The immigration department is led by Dr Bernard Andonian, a former Immigration Judge, and Dave Vasoodaven, both highly experienced practitioners with particular expertise in immigration litigation. Dr Andonian has more than 35 years of experience as a solicitor, while Mr Vasoodaven brings extensive practical knowledge of both business and individual immigration matters. The firm’s legal team has expanded with high-calibre appointments, including Christine and Shazaib, bringing additional versatility and experience from other fields.

The firm’s immigration litigation practice is extensive, led by Mr Fadi Farhat, head of the appeals and public law department since 2015. Under his leadership, the firm manages in-house drafting and advocacy from beginning to end, achieving notable successes in tribunal and High Court proceedings. The firm has handled injunctions preventing removal and high-profile public law challenges, including revocations of sponsor licences.

Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors undertakes work across the full spectrum of immigration, human rights, asylum, and nationality law, including applications sensitive to national security. It has secured landmark decisions in the High Court, House of Lords, and European Court of Justice, such as Shah, Islam, Baumbast, and Rolet, establishing new precedents in asylum and European law. Its expertise in human rights appeals, deportation, removal, and detention matters has made it a sought-after firm in these areas.

Staffing: 2 UK partners; 8 other UK fee-earners