A Few months to reach ILR and appeal process

I need advice at the moment which is very urgent. I have been in the UK since October 19th, 2004. I was recently refused FLR(O) visa this January 2014. I made the application on November before my PSW visa expired in December 10th, 2013. The reason for refusal is that :

1. They know that my company has extended my offer, but I have to go back and apply for re-entry on another type of visa if they are ready to sponsor me.

2. They said they understand that I have strong ties here which is 9yrs and 2 months without going home, but that did not outweigh the ties I have back home. I was 22 years old before I came to the UK. My Questions are:

1. A solicitor has appealed online opted for oral hearing. She wrote short sentences to appeal against the decision. If she submitted that online, have we met the deadlines set for the appeal even though we will send documents and full statement later?

2. How long should we expect the hearing date to be set ( The day to go to court)?

3. Suppose a company agree to sponsor me, the solicitor said we can withdraw the appeal and put in the Tier 2. But I argued, that this may break the 10 years of my legal stay. Please how can someone vary TIER 2 with appeal process.

Looking forward to hearing from you.