Cost of Immigration Solicitor
across the UK

# Immigration Solicitor Accreditation

Immigration solicitors in the UK are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), which is the primary body ensuring all solicitors meet professional standards. To practise immigration law, solicitors must hold a valid practising certificate issued by the SRA and comply with its codes of conduct. Some immigration solicitors also seek membership of the Law Society's Immigration Law Accreditation Scheme or obtain Lexcel accreditation, which demonstrates commitment to quality management and client care. Additionally, solicitors can become members of specialist bodies such as the Immigration Law Practitioners' Association (ILPA), which is a professional membership organisation that sets ethical standards and provides continuing professional development for immigration practitioners. These different designations provide varying levels of assurance, with full SRA regulation being the baseline requirement and additional accreditations signalling extra expertise and quality commitments.

To verify a solicitor's credentials, you can check the SRA's online register, which is freely available and shows whether an individual is currently authorised to practise and any disciplinary history. You should confirm that the solicitor holds the relevant practising certificate and check whether they have additional qualifications such as Higher Rights of Audience in immigration matters. If a solicitor claims membership of ILPA or holds Lexcel accreditation, you can verify this directly with those organisations. It matters because immigration cases are complex and the consequences of poor advice can be severe, including rejected visa applications, deportation proceedings or wasted fees; working with a properly regulated and verified solicitor protects you legally and provides a route for complaint if something goes wrong, including access to the Legal Ombudsman and the Solicitors Compensation Fund.

Accredited immigration solicitors typically charge higher fees than unregulated alternatives, with hourly rates or fixed fees often reflecting their additional qualifications, insurance costs and quality assurance systems. This