PHILIP JONES LEGAL

Philip Jones Legal's Asylum & Protection Lawyers can assist with all aspects of asylum applications and related Human Rights Act (HRA) applications; Case Resolution/ Legacy Cases and Active Review; Lodging Notices of Appeals and Statements of Additional grounds; Family Reunion and Settlement (protection route) applications; Representation to the UKVI, on illegal entry, overstayers, removal and deportation cases; Applications for bail to the Secretary of State and First-tier Tribunal; Substantive appeals work, including representation at First-tier and Upper Tribunal hearings and specialist casework Pre-action protocol letters in advance of Judicial Review.

We provide full representation to our clients in the Immigration Tribunals. From lodging the Notice of Appeal, preparation of the Appeal Bundle, preparation of our client for the Full Hearing and we conduct advocacy at the Case Management Review Hearing and Full Hearing. We offer cost-effective fees for Full Representation in appeal matters as we provide legal and advocacy services in-house at Philip Jones Legal. We will quote you a reasonable fixed fee which will not increase as your case progresses.



Notable Cases

The Queen (on the application of Hagos) -v- Secretary of State for the Home Department (Dublin Returns - Malta) (IJR) [2015] UKUT 271

The Queen (on the application of SYL) -v- Secretary of State for the Home Department [CO/1036/2019] (Admin)

AA -v- Secretary of State for the Home Department [PA/05520/2019] (Immigration & Asylum Chamber)



Business and Private Immigration Lawyers

Our Business and Private Immigration lawyers can assist with Discretionary and complex applications; Out-of-time applications; concessionary policies; Lodging notices of appeal and Statements of Additional Grounds; Applications for Administrative Review; Representations to the UKVI, on illegal entry, overstayers, removal and deportation cases and applications for Secretary of State bail.

We have a wealth of experience in Sponsor Licence Applications for employers and education provide; Licence management; Obtaining certificate of sponsorship; Audit services; Implementing internal compliance strategies; Recruitment processes and Labour Market Test; Challenges to employer civil penalties; Innovator visa; Start-up visa; Exceptional Talent visa (Tier 1); Tier 1: High net worth clients; Tier 2: General & intra-company transfer; Tier 5: Temporary workers; Representative of an Overseas Business visa; Sports immigration; Tier 4: Students; Visitors (all categories); Ancestry visas; spouse, fiancé(e), civil or unmarried partner; Domestic workers; Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) in all applicable categories; British citizenship applications (naturalisation and registration); European free movement applications (EEA family permits, residence cards, permanent residence cards, retained rights, posted workers, derivative rights); European Association Agreement applications; Carriers' liability and Administrative Review.

Philip Jones Legal’s Employment Lawyers have acted for UK companies and major international companies.


Our lawyers advise employers and employees on employment contracts; service agreements; compromise agreements; settlement agreements; discrimination; restructuring and redundancy; confidentiality; disciplinary and grievance hearings; employer handbooks and policies; unfair dismissal; whistleblowing; restrictive covenants and non-compete clauses.

Philip Jones Legal’s lawyers have advised high profile clients in numerous international arbitral proceedings. The firm enjoys a reputation of successfully assisting the clients in situations of complex international arbitrations and related court challenges, including enforcement actions. While the demand for international arbitration is constantly rising, Philip Jones Legal’s lawyers continue to tackle every case uniquely with innovative strategies, dynamism, and seamless service.

Our team represents clients throughout a dispute’s life cycle, from drafting dispute resolution clauses, through arbitration, to arbitration-related litigation [via our sister firm Jarmans Solicitors], and even in cases of challenge of the arbitration award.

International commercial arbitration is advantageous in that is can be a faster and less costly process than taking a dispute to court.

We integrate substantive legal expertise and comprehensive industry knowledge, to address our client needs from a holistic perspective.

Tax Law

As UK tax law becomes increasingly complex, businesses and individuals need specialist tax lawyers able to identify the risks and opportunities, and to help them ensure compliance. Our tax lawyers have comprehensive knowledge of UK tax law, and deep sector insight, providing the highest level of legal advice to our clients.

Our tax law team is renowned for delivering creative and effective solutions to clients across a range of industry sectors. Our clients range from corporate entities to trusts, as well as individuals domiciled in the UK and abroad.

Areas of focus
Our tax law expertise includes the following:

Compliance and disclosure.

Advice to private individuals including those with an international connection in relation to their UK tax position, often involving the interaction of business and personal affairs.

Mediation between taxpayers and HMRC.

Advice and representation for clients undergoing investigation.

Tax planning and advice related to business property and share transfers, and corporate restructuring.

Negotiating and drafting documents dealing with tax risk.

Tax advice and drafting relating to financing arrangements.



Wills & Trusts

Once we have advised you on the most tax efficient method to pass your estate to your beneficiaries, our in-house Will-writers will be able to prepare the most important legal document you will ever have: Your Last Will & Testament. We also assist to prepare trust instruments if you wish to create a trust fund. A trust is a formal arrangement in which trusted individuals or trust corporations hold and manage assets on behalf of certain other individuals. Trusts are used to transfer ownership of assets but not make it an outright unconditional gift. The assets are put into trust for a beneficiary’s life, or until they reach a certain age.



A private wealth trust while complex can be formed for many different reasons. Trust are used as an instrument to pass wealth and assets on without passing on full control of them and also ensures your wishes are carried out fully even after you have died without having any trust disputes afterward. Often as trust specialists, we are approached by clients who wish to make provisions for family members but do not want to give them assets outright due to circumstances in their family.



The main types of trust are:



Bare trusts

Interest in possession trusts

Discretionary trusts

Accumulation trusts

Mixed trusts

Settlor-interested trusts

Non-resident trusts

Secret trusts

Charitable trusts

It is incumbent to protect your assets by effective estate planning. This will minimise the risk of disputes and claims on your estate once you are deceased.

Do you own, or are you purchasing a restaurant?



Our specialist legal team provides expert advice on a restaurant purchase or sale; recruitment and sponsorship of chefs; and on all aspects of alcohol licensing.



We regularly assist restaurants on the following.



Applying to UKVI to grant the Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence;

Applying for a Certificate of Sponsorship;

Adapting your HR systems to ensure Home Office compliance;

Acquisitions of acclaimed destination restaurants and casual dining companies;

Legal support and advice to start-up restaurants; and

All aspects of Alcohol licensing law.



Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence

What to consider when applying for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence.

If a sponsorship licence is granted to your organisation, it will either be granted with an ‘A’ or ‘B’ rating. An ‘A’ rating is required to employ migrants who reside outside of UK/Europe.

A sponsorship licence is valid for 4 years (starting from the date from which the licence is granted), after which it will expire. The licence end date is the last date you can make an application to renew your licence.

As a Private Limited Company at least 5 of the following documents will be required for the application.

Employers Liability Insurance Certificate for at least £5million pounds from an authorised insurer.

Proof of registration with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as self- employed. (You must provide each partner’s unique Tax Reference (UTR) and or the Partnership/ Business Unique Tax Reference (UTR).

Current financial report or audited annual report with the name of the accountant clearly shown. The accountant should be a member of an accredited accounting body.

Evidence of Registration with HMRC as an employer to pay PAYE & National Insurance. You would be required to provide proof of PAYE Reference Number and Accounts Office Reference Number.

Latest acknowledgement of Company Tax Return CT620.

The Company’s latest Audited Annual Accounts with the name of the accountant clearly shown. The accountant should be a member of an accredited accounting body, such as the ACCA/CIMA etc.

Latest Annual self-assessment tax return to HMRC – Statement of accounts (SA300 or SA302).

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) VAT registration certificate – confirming VAT registration number and “effective date of registration” if business’ VAT taxable turnover is more than the ‘threshold’.

Latest corporate/business bank statements and/or letter from Bank setting out the dealings it has with you, including the nature and duration of its dealings.

Proof of ownership or lease of business premises. If you send a copy of the lease agreement – it must be signed by all parties concerned.

Additional documents
• Any regulatory certificates (sector specific) if applicable;
• Proof of Registration with a Governing Body - if this is required to operate legally in the UK; and
• Company hierarchy chart [This is a must].

Construction Contracts

Philip Jones Legal team advises on the drafting and negotiation of construction contracts. Not only do we assist with contractual issues, but we are also quick to understand business needs, giving practical advice in relation to legal challenges. Our experience covers a range of sectors.



JCT Contracts

We work with bespoke contracts as well as standard forms such as JCT, always guaranteeing that our advice is meticulously customised to our client’s specific objectives and approach to risk management.

As with all contracts, a corporate lawyer will ensure your contract has been properly drafted and reviewed. A JCT contract review with our corporate lawyers will bring to light any clauses concealed within legal jargon and ascertain whether the contract is fair. You will gain the peace of mind that your company is not going to have any future problems.

We will ensure that your contract is properly written. As a result, there will be no errors in the contract and the chance of contestation will be minimised. Furthermore, a corporate lawyer will negotiate your JCT contract to ensure it’s in line with your objectives.

There are a range of legal instruments available to meet your commercial needs; Philip Jones Legal make it a precedence to explain all your options before progressing to undertake work on your behalf.



Construction Adjudication & Alternative Dispute Resolution ('ADR')

We are able to represent clients in construction disputes. Commonly construction adjudications and other forms of ADR such as arbitration and mediation. Our lawyers can travel internationally to the seat of the dispute.



Business Immigration Services for the Construction Industry

We assist construction companies obtain Skilled Worker Sponsor Licenses from UKVI to enable the employment of overseas workers. If your business demands skilled employees and professionals from abroad, our business immigration lawyers can assist you. We deliver specialist assistance on sponsoring employees, obtaining work visas and SMS portal management.



We understand that talented and skilled employees are the core of a thriving business. Our business immigration lawyers ensure a smooth process of overseas recruitment to enable the development of your organisation and brand.



Our experienced lawyers provide advice on a wide variety of business immigration matters, including but not limited to:

Tier 2 and Tier 5 Sponsor licences – permission to employ overseas workers

Tier 2 and Tier 5 visas for foreign workers

Sponsor Management System maintenance

Certificates of sponsorship

Management of high-volume transfers of employees

Right to work checks

The Digital Asset & Blockchain Lawyers at Philip Jones provide a full-suite of commercial, regulatory and taxation legal services to individuals and companies in the crypto and digital asset space.



We act for cryptocurrencies featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, Cointelegraph, Yahoo Finance, CoinMarketCap, Nasdaq, Insider, Investing.com, Benzinga and Gulf News.



Further, we advise and assist individuals who are facing obstacles navigating the crypto legal and tax minefield.



We regularly assist with the following.





Security Token Offerings (STOs) and Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs)



Drafting, reviewing and advising on whitepapers.



Advising on and preparing the terms of contribution agreements to issue coins and tokens.



Advising on and preparing the Terms & Conditions of coin and token platform exchanges.



Advising on whether tokens constitute securities under the law of the relevant jurisdiction.





Risk & Compliance



Advising intermediaries such as brokers and exchanges on their compliance obligations.



Advising on Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) compliance issues.





Fundraising



Advising and assisting private cryptocurrency fund sponsors on all aspects of the fundraising lifecycle, including fund formation, regulatory compliance and market terms; preparing offering documents for new private cryptocurrency funds, including private placement memoranda, limited partnership agreements and subscription agreements; global regulatory advice; tax efficient investment structuring; and carried interest, management equity arrangements and other incentive structuring.





Venture Capital & Private Equity



Advising and assisting venture capital and private equity firms on transactions involving digital assets and blockchain-related companies.





Taxation of Cryptocurrencies



Philip Jones offers sophisticated and knowledgeable legal counsel to clients navigating the legal and taxation minefield of the digital economy.



Our Digital Asset and Blockchain lawyers are actively involved in the cryptocurrency world. In addition to advising banks and cryptocurrencies, some of our lawyers have been investing in cryptocurrencies themselves for the last decade.



In light of this, Philip Jones Legal use their experience to provide practical taxation advice. In this respect, Philip Jones Legal’s expertise in this field is perhaps unmatched by any other law firm in the City.





Digital Assets In Your Will & Estate Planning



Advising on complex estates which include digital assets held in physical or online wallets, coin and token platform exchanges, ETFs and more.



Advising on and preparing your Will to include protection for your digital assets.



Advising on and preparing your Trust to ensure your descendants and future generations benefit from your digital asset portfolio.



Estate planning advice to minimise tax liability in relation to your digital assets.





Valuation of Crypto Assets



Our Accountants and Corporate Lawyers can assist in valuation of your crypto assets.





Tracing Crypto Assets



Our technology specialists, Information Technology team and private investigator network assist in tracing crypto assets.





Regulatory Bodies



Advising on requirements to register as broker-dealers, commodity pool operators, commodity trading advisers, investment advisers, investment companies, securities exchanges and money service businesses.



Philip Jones assists cryptocurrencies and digital asset companies satisfy the requirements of regulatory bodies such as the FCA to give you the best possible chance of success in regulation applications.



Advising on money service businesses and money transmitters and their registration requirements.



Further, we advise clients during investigations by the FCA, other regulators and law enforcement agencie