OUR PEOPLE

Stuart McWilliams

Stuart is an accredited specialist in immigration law and a partner in our Litigation division in Glasgow. 

Stuart is the lead member of our top ranked immigration team. He advises both individuals and businesses on all aspects of UK immigration law.

He provides advice and assistance to clients in relation to the Tier 2/Skilled Worker Sponsorship process and is recognised for his expertise in working with software and technology companies who are experiencing skill shortages.

Stuart has experience advising on the Innovator, Start up and Global Talent visa categories, as well as advising Tier 1 entrepreneurs applying for extensions and indefinite leave to remain.

Further, Stuart deals with private client immigration matters and can advise on any application for Leave to Remain, Indefinite Leave to Remain or Citizenship. He speaks frequently on immigration issues having previously given expert evidence before the UK Parliament and has particular expertise in relation to the family migration rules.

Stuart is the Convener of the Law Society of Scotland's Immigration and Asylum Law Sub-Committee.

Membership & Awards
Law Society of Scotland
Accredited Specialist

Business Expertise

Stuart advises businesses in relation to the Tier 2/Skilled Worker sponsorship process and also works with Tier 1 entrepreneurs, investors, start-ups, innovators and global talent applicants.

He has particular expertise working with the relocation industry and software and digital technology companies experiencing skill shortages.  He advises on all immigration matters, including sponsor licence applications, use of the Sponsor Management System and Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), checking employee's right to work, transferring employees between locations and carrying out internal immigration compliance audits.

Stuart has experience advising on the Innovator and Start up visa categories, as well as advising Tier 1 entrepreneurs applying for extensions and indefinite leave to remain.

Stuart regularly gives businesses advice about preparing their workforce for Brexit, and future recruitment under the proposed new points based immigration system.

Additionally, Stuart provides Immigration mock audits and training packages that help businesses minimise the risk of non-compliance while training staff to handle immigration issues internally to reduce the cost of immigration compliance.

Public Sector Expertise

Stuart advises public sector bodies in relation to the Immigration Rules.

Stuart advises academic institutions such as Universities, Colleges and Independent Schools on the Tier 4 sponsorship system and helps licensed sponsors ensure they comply with their duties to the Home Office. He can also deliver training to staff, assist with licence applications and prepare or review visa applications to minimise the risk of refusals. Stuart advises public sector bodies in relation to the Immigration Rules.

Stuart is one of the few solicitors in Scotland to successfully persuade the Home Office to reinstate a suspended Tier 4 sponsor licence.

Stuart has also provided advice to local authorities in relation to the citizenship and immigration status of children in adoption cases.

Individuals & Families Expertise

Stuart advises on all aspects of UK immigration, nationality, asylum and human rights issues.

Stuart can advise on any application for Leave to Remain including ancestry, spouse and partner visas, student visas and investor and entrepreneur visas.  He assists with applications for indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship. He has particular expertise in relation to the family migration rules and applications on behalf of parents of British children.

Stuart has a particular interest in historic nationality cases, and has helped a number of clients prove their entitlement to a British passport, or to obtain passports for their children born overseas. 

Stuart regularly appears in the Immigration Tribunals for clients who have had applications refused by the Home Office. He speaks frequently on immigration issues including providing training on Family Migration Rules for a Law Society of Scotland conference.

He understands the importance of providing clear and straightforward advice in language which is easy to understand especially in complicated situations.