About Us - Manuel Padilla Behar

Manuel is a UK qualified solicitor and the principal of the firm.

He offers tailor-made advice in every aspect of immigration law and nationality, with 12 years experience practicing in this area.

Manuel’s work covers a wide range of immigration and nationality cases, with particular emphasis on complex cases under the EU Settlement Scheme, applications for entry clearance or leave to Remain under the Immigration Rules, as well as application to regularise immigration status in the UK. Manuel represents clients in their applications with the Home Office and in their appeal or Judicial Review proceedings.

Manuel has strong links with the Latin American community in London. He collaborates with various Latin American charities such as LAWA and LAWRs.

Some of Manuel’s most notables recent cases are:

Securing pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme for several ex-partners of European nationals and in some cases involving domestic violence or an uncooperative ex.
Obtaining a positive result in an appeal made by a Bolivian family against the Home Office’s refusal to grant them leave to remain based on her minor’s daughter’s residence in the UK of over 7 years.
Securing leave to remain to parents of British children when they live with the other parent.
Obtaining leave for the mother of a dual British and Colombian national who entered the UK with a visitor visa.
Securing indefinite leave to enter to a minor child whose mother, a dual British/Bolivian, wanted to bring him to the UK permanently.
Representing several partners of British citizens in connection with their applications for leave to remain in the UK.
Obtaining family permits and then pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme for two four-year old twins from Venezuela whose living conditions in that country were of great concern to their aunt who was married to an European national.
Assisting people to obtain fee waivers on the applications for leave to remain under the 10-year route or to have the restriction for no recourse to public attached to their visas lifted.
Successfully representing a mother in her family matters: a) application for a financial remedy as part of her divorce, b) in her ex-husband’s application to have contact with their child and c) in her application to relocate to France.
Assisting the mother of a British child in the negotiations with her ex-husband regarding their finances and child.

“We are very grateful with the support provided by Laura and Manuel. A few years ago they helped us to regularise our immigration status and recently to extend our visas. My eldest daughter is now going to University because she managed to obtain a student loan as she is regular in this country. We will never forget what Laura and Manuel did for us and will keep using their service.”

“When I came to see Manuel I thought I did not have any chances to stay in this country legally. I have just had a baby and the father of my son was unwilling to get him a British passport. Manuel helped me to obtain confirmation from the Home Office that my son was British, then his British passport and later I managed to regularise my immigration status though my British son. I owe Manuel so much and will always be grateful for what he did for us”

“I highly recommend Manuel, he helped to do my application, he is very professional, helpful and responsive to all my concerns. The process was successful. He also helped my mum and my sister to do their applications, always provided excellent service and excellent knowledge.”

“Before coming to see Manuel I though that my case was lost. My EU husband had left me and I did not know his whereabouts. My visa was already expired. Manuel’s strategy worked and now I am British, my daughter later acquired British citizenship and my new partner regularised his immigration status as my dependant. Manuel’s knowledge of the law, practical way of thinking and perseverance is what get us to that result.”

“I like Manuel a lot. The work that he does through the charity is admirable. He has helped many Latin Americans in the UK throughout the years. He is passionate about his work, perseverant and always looks for what is best for his clients. He is honest and straight forward.”