Tier 2 to ILR

[ijazmansoor2]

Dear team,
I would hugely appreciate if I could an advice about my current tier 2 visa which I need to convert into ILR.
I have been working in Uk since 2005 as a doctor.I was initially on permit free training for an year but then got a 3 year work permit from 2007 onwards.In late 2009,I had to apply for tier 2 due to change of regulations but because my employer was not registered with home office as tier 2 sponsor and it took 3 months for them to get sponsorship.So I had to leave the country and apply for tier 2 from pakistan with same sponsor which unfortunately took 6 months to get sorted.
If this period can be discounted,then my ILR requirement of 5 years stay can be met in 4 months.Will home office consider such discretion and to allow me to have 5 years completed this way or do i have to start from the scratch?or is it worth discussing with a lawyer?
your help would be truly appreciated.
regards

[vinny]

See also Continuous Period and Settlement.

[ijazmansoor2]

thank you for your reply.It was very informative,though i still not being able to find the answer that if my tier 2 visa was interrupted because of the employer,then why should it affect my right to seek ILR!
further opinions/help would be much appreciated.