Post
by OL7MAX » Wed Jan 23, 2008 11:59 am
I've replied to several PMs and sent PMs to those requesting lawyer details. I must add, though, that it is my opinion that no matter who your lawyer is ... it is up to you to make sure they're on the right track. And, there's no resource like this forum for that.
It's from here that I learnt about all the possible "excuses" the HO could turn my application down on. I thoroughly researched all of them to make sure my application had no holes.
I spent days just trying to get information on what triggered a stopping of the clock way back in 1990-91. I had to speak to two barristers before I was convinced that paperwork the IND sent me then did not stop the clock. My application included detailed quotes from them (referring to statutes at that time) as to why the HO couldn't consider my clock stopped.
I got a copy of my SAB (my lawyer kindly received it at her offices as I didn't want to disclose my address till I submitted my application) and carefully compared it against all my own documentation going back 15 years - an idea I got here. That was extremely useful.
I learnt here on these forums that entering illegally and colluding to overstay etc could ruin a 14 year application. In my case, I couldn't leave even though I wanted to. But, did the HO know that?
My SAB provided the answer, they didn't. So, I put together some killer paperwork to prove this positive bit about my application. When I first got stuck here I sent letters off to everyone I could think of requesting help to get me out of the UK and back to the US. I had replies from the First Secretary at the IHC in London, the US Embassy in London, the Indian Embassy in Washington DC, the local MP here in the UK, and others... all saying they were sorry they couldn't help. The IND didn't have copies of those letters so I sent them in with my application to demonstrate that I never intended to violate UK immigration law.
It was here, on these boards, that I learnt about providing proof of residence for every single year. For years where I had weaker documentation I served several organisations demands under the Data Protection Act for copies of data held on me (and the dates they related to). I even had the police dig out an old complaint I made many years ago and provide me with a copy of the "victim notification" they sent me originally.
Don't believe the rubbish anyone gives you about keeping data for only six years (12 years in the case of my bank). Most of them have data going back further, even if it's only on microfiche/images.
Applying under the 14 year rule? Search this forum for every term related to "14 years", "long residence concession", "long residence rules" etc and read every single post. Then consider that only the start of your research. Various good folk here have taken the time and trouble to link to specific external pages relevant to what they're saying. Go read those pages!
When looking for a good accountant for your business/tax returns you don't want one who's a nice guy. You want one with teeth. And one who'll do what you say. Same thing with lawyers for your 14 year application except that your 14 year application is a bigger deal. The bigger the deal the more the time you need to invest yourself.
Hope that's useful. Good luck to anyone applying. Dot every i, cross every t. Yes, every single one.
