About Us
Paul L Simon Solicitors have been established for some 14 years and the practice is conveniently located in Central London. Our office is in the heart of the West End, close to all main transport links for overseas and national visitors.
We have been providing clear and impartial advice to people and businesses from all parts of the world on a wide range of issues concerning their ability to live and work in Britain, and their entitlements to British nationality.
Paul L Simon:
Born in London in 1957, Paul L Simon was admitted as a Solicitor of the
Supreme Court in 1982 and has specialised in Immigration and Nationality
Law for over 16 years. After some time spent as a partner in a commercial
firm in Central London, he set up his own practice exclusively dedicated
to immigration law in 1990. Educated at Gonville & Caius College Cambridge
he has lectured both in the UK and overseas on Immigration Law, and is an
Honorary Fellow of the Centre for International Legal Studies based in Salzburg,
Austria. In April 2005 he passed the Immigration and Asylum Accreditation
Scheme at Level 2, administered by the Law Society. He is now a senior caseworker
under the scheme.
email: paul@plsimon.co.uk
Toby Fournier:
Born in Stoke-on-Trent in 1963, Toby Fournier graduated in law from the
School of Oriental & African Studies in London in 1995. Since graduation,
he has gained extensive practical experience of Immigration Law as both
an agent and adviser. He qualified as a solicitor in November 2001. He has
been an integral member of the team for the last seven years.
Garth Coates:
Born in Belfast in 1964, he obtained a Degree in Modern History from the
University of Ulster in 1985 and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Marketing from
the University of Strathclyde in 1986.Ú Garth joined the Home Office Immigration
Service in 1988, where he served as an Immigration Officer, principally
at Gatwick Airport, until 1990. He qualified as a Solicitor from the College
of Law in 1992 and has since practised in Commercial Immigration law with
a number of leading immigration solicitors' practices before he joined Paul
L Simon Solicitors as a Partner in July 2004.
Bob Ross: Born
in Essex in 1948, Bob has joined us from the City where he has been actively
involved with immigration work for over a decade. He comes to us with considerable
hands-on experience in dealing with the Home Office and Entry Clearance
posts around the world. He has developed a good working relationship with
the various departments over this time which, combined with a sensible and
down to earth manner, makes him a valuable member of our team.
Chris Ward:
Born in London in 1969, Chris graduated with a Modern Languages degree from
Liverpool University in 1992 before obtaining a Postgraduate Diploma in
European marketing from Staffordshire University in 1993. Chris joined us
after seven years service as an Immigration Officer (within the Home Office).
With experience gained from working at all the principal ports of entry,
Chris gives the team invaluable insight into the workings of immigration
control which is be of significant value to the practice as a whole.
Jessie Daly:
Born in Essex in 1980, Jessie graduated from the University of Brighton
in 2002 with a Degree in Business Administration. She first joined us in
July 2002 in an administrative role. Since May 2004 she has been a full-time
caseworker with a principal responsibility in supporting our partner Mr
Garth Coates and our Senior Immigration Caseworker Mr Bob Ross.
Andrew Walmsley:
Born in Morcambe, Lancashire, in 1947, Andrew joined the Home Office in
1965, and of the 37 years he worked for the Department, 22 of them were
spent in the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. In February 1992 he
was appointed Director of Nationality and represented the UK at the Council
of Europe's Committee of Experts on Nationality. He has experience of most
aspects of immigration and nationality work and is a recognised expert on
European nationality laws.
