Katie Rickard (Partner)
Katie is a Partner in the immigration team and has over 10 years’ experience across a wide spectrum of UK immigration matters, with particular expertise in applications made under Tier 1 of the Points Based System and complex personal immigration matters.
She regularly provides commentary on the workings of the UK Immigration Rules and is often involved in lobbying the Home Office, including in relation to the design of a future post-Brexit UK immigration system.
Katie works in the private client immigration team where she advises a broad range of clients.
Particular areas of Katie’s expertise include:
- preparing applications for investors, established entrepreneurs and those looking to start a business in the UK as well as family members of those in the UK or relocating here;
- partnering with Tech Nation to assist leading tech entrepreneurs with Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) applications;
- advising clients on the immigration implications of international surrogacy and adoption, working with colleagues in the family team;
- challenging the UK Home Office by way of appeal and through a number of successful judicial reviews; and
- assisting with asylum claims and human rights applications and appeals.
Katie is listed as a rising star in Legal 500 UK 2020 and is up and coming in Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2021.
Recent work
- overturning the initial refusal of an application for entry clearance as an adult dependent relative due to misinterpretation of the rules, lack of regard to the best interests of the child and failure to consider Article 8. As a result of our representations, a successful outcome was obtained without the formal appeal proceeding;
- advising on a successful entry clearance application for indefinite leave to enter for an adopted child on the basis of a de facto adoption;
- assisting with an urgent Tier 1 (Investor) entry clearance application featuring an irrevocable gift of the investment funds and joint ownership of the funds with the applicant’s spouse; and
- advising a leading tech entrepreneur in relation to his successful application for leave to remain under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) category via Tech Nation.
Professional societies and Memberships
- Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA)
- Law Society
- AIJA (Association Internationale des Jeunes Avocats / Association of young lawyers)
Further information
Katie read law at Pembroke College, Cambridge and completed her Legal Practice Course with distinction at the College of Law in Bloomsbury. She trained at a niche immigration firm in London before joining Hanidel Jones LLP in January 2012.