Either my question was too naive or no one knew the answer and thus no reply.
Well, whatever the case I continued my search to find me an answer and I believe I have it. It makes sense to me however I'd be glad if I could be corrected
with reference.
I looked all over to see if there's any particular explanation around
continuous leave for spouse/partner but wasn't able to find anything - if anyone can point me in that direction I'd stand corrected. So, I took a step back to see how does continuous leave is defined for Tier-1 (General) Migrant. The immigration rule 245AAA (a)(ii) gives us the required details which is to be read with 245CD for Tier-1 (General) Migrants (source:
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/polic ... es/part6a/)
(a) "continuous period of 5 years lawfully in the UK" means, subject to paragraphs 245CD, 245GF and 245HF, residence in the United Kingdom for an unbroken period with valid leave, and for these purposes a period shall not be considered to have been broken where:
(i) the applicant has been absent from the UK for a period of 180 days or less in any of the five consecutive 12 month periods preceding the date of the application for leave to remain;
(ii) the applicant has existing limited leave to enter or remain upon their departure and return except that where that leave expired no more than 28 days prior to a further application for entry clearance, that period and any period pending the determination of an application made within that 28 day period shall be disregarded; and
(iii) the applicant has any period of overstaying between periods of entry clearance, leave to enter or leave to remain of up to 28 days and any period of overstaying pending the determination of an application made within that 28 day period disregarded.
So, until proven otherwise (i.e. with specific reference to Tier-1 (General) Migrant's spouse/partner requirements) I believe 245AAA (a)(ii) would also apply to spouse/partner that if they apply for leave within 28 days of current leave's expiry (they can apply as early as 28 days before it's expiry) irrespective of where they apply from (within UK or outside) it won't be considered as a break.
I have briefly discussed this scenario with a solicitor over telephone and he pointed me in direction of continuous leave requirements for 10 years continuous residence in exactly the same way as has been described by 245AAA (a)(ii) and suggested that this can be used as an argument.
Please correct me if I'm wrong but please do reply!!!