Advise on if I should hire a lawyer or not?

[raina]

I have posted before and am much obliged by the advise from all of you!

Please tell me in your opinion should I apply for ILR myself in Croyden or should I hire a immigration lawyer?

My case is simple 4 years with no absences or breaks etc in the Work permit and I have worked for the same employers throughout.

Thanks.

[ppron747]

I've never been in the position of needing to apply for ILR, but it seems to me that there's ample evidence on these Boards to show that most people don't hire a lawyer unless there is something very unusual about their application.

[Dawie]

Yes, I'd agree with Paul. The Home Office makes it incredibly easy to apply for ILR in person, and unless there are complicating factors with your application, there's absolutely no reason to hire a lawyer at all. In fact besides the added expense, I would say that hiring a lawyer would just complicate what really is a pretty straightforward procedure.

[basis]

I would echo ppron and Dawie. From self experience, expereince of number of friends and experience posted on this group it is recommended that no need to go thru lawyers in straightforward cases for ILR and even for Naturalisation. Infact going thru lawyer may create an impression that the case is not straightforward. Daily so many people go and apply for ILR and BC themselves with success. And that's where forums like this proves really useful. good luck.

[raina]

Yes ppron and Dawie -Its only after reading the posts here about ILR that I realised one could do it face to face at Croyden and how simple it was.

Basis - Advise like yours is exactly what I was seeking.Forums like these really help solve so many problems. Thanks for the encouragement!!

My employers use a law firm to make my Work permits and I was initially thinking of using them as they had my papers etc.

But the requirements in the ILR Form are very basic and so I am encouraged to give it a shot myself!!