Issue 7 2020

24 Acquisition International - Issue 7 2020 Ingenious Immigration Lawyer The world of immigration law is highly specialised, with only the top lawyers achieving success. Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors works exclusively in the field. The most challenging cases are handled by Fadi Farhat. With a superb track record, he has been rightly recognised as Leading Immigration and Human Rights Lawyer of the Year, United Kingdom in Acquisition International’s series on Leading Adviser. We look at him and the firm to find out more. he team at Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors has always been focused on the complex issues surrounding immigration law. Since being founded in 1985 by two immigration judges, it has tackled numerous immigration, nationality, human rights and asylum cases. The founding mission is the same today – achieving a positive outcome for each client, treating every case as though it is a lawyer’s last. The firm has grown significantly since opening, and thirty years after opening hold a strong position as the oldest established law firm in Central London practising mainly in immigration, asylum, human rights and nationality law. Many different clients come to the company for help, including vulnerable individuals, victims of torture and persecution, victims of trafficking as well as clients with a corporate stature such as care homes, football clubs, pharmacists, and large businesses. Accessibility is key to the way in which Gulbenkian AndonianSolicitors operates, and the team take care not to restrict themselves to a particular clientele. The work of an accomplished lawyer such asMr Fadi Farhat, therefore, is a positive boon to the firm. Under the supervision and tutelage of Mr. Dave Vasoodaven and, formerly, Dr. Bernard Andonian, he has been able to achieve amazing things in the field. He has had the privilege of working on eight reported cases, obtained forty grants of permission to appeal to the higher courts, conducted three hundred advocacy appearances in the Tribunals and has over sixty judicial compliments – in written judgments – to his name. There are very few individuals under the age of 33 (as he still is) in the entire country, if any, with such an exceptional track record. Many of Mr Farhat’s clients have found their cases progress ever higher in the pursuit of justice. This have given him significant T Mar20243 experience in the High Court and even the Court of Appeal where he has settled several pleadings. Much of Mr Farhat’s advocacy takes place in the Immigration and Asylum Chambers of the First- tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal. To date, he has worked on approximately 5,000 cases overall. His success in this field is thanks to thorough preparation, detailed pleadings and high level of personal engagement with clients. The nurturing of lawyers like Mr Farhat has been key to the success of Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors, and the company culture is one that encourages the team to be close-knit. Flexible hours and working from home have proven very popular policies, with the flexibility resulting in people being more productive overall. As people from all walks of life come through the doors of Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors, the team take care to consider applicants of all ages and from all background and walks of life. Lawyers who reflect the firm’s clients, while also relating to them strongly, give the firm an advantage over its competitors. In many cases, the battle is not one of legal issues, but a matter of trust. Building a strong relationship with clients, showing that the firm is on their side no matter what, makes a tremendous difference in the challenging world of immigration law. In all, it’s clear why Mr Farhat has managed to achieve such success, and what a huge part Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors has played in achieving that success. In a complex legal area, it can be difficult to put people first, but that’s exactly what Mr Farhat and this exceptional firm manage to do every time. It’s why he is a worthy winner of Acquisition International’s award for Leading Immigration and Human Rights Lawyer of the Year in the United Kingdom. Contact: Fadi Farhat Web Address: www.gulbenkian.co.uk “Accessibility is key to the way in which Gulbenkian Andonian Solicitors operates, and the team take care not to restrict themselves to a particular clientele.”