Law Friends regular Priya Solanki here casts her expert eye over sham marriages and immigration, offering in-depth analysis and exploration of:

• The Right to Marry
• Difference between sham marriages and marriages of convenience
• Analysis of Part 4 of the Immigration Act 2014
• Importance of UKVI conducting investigations lawfully
• The impact of Home Office non-compliance with notice periods and the effect on a non-compliance decision
• UKVI enforcement visits guidance
• Enforcement actions and offences
• Other useful policy guidance

Relevant law

Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006

Immigration Act 2014

Minister of Home Affairs v Fourie, Case 60/04, Constitutional Court of South Africa, para 70, per Sachs J

Baiai & Ors, R (On the Application of) v SSHD [2008] UKHL 53 [45], [2009] 1 A.C. 287

Molina, R (On the Application of) v SSHD [2017] EWHC 1730 (Admin)

Sadovska v SSHD [2017] UKSC 54, [2017] 1 W.L.R. 2926

Rosa v SSHD [2016] EWCA Civ 14

Agho v SSHD [2015] EWCA Civ 1198

Seferi & Anor, R (On the Application of) v SSHD [2018] EWHC 287 (Admin)

Diatta v Land Berlin [1985] ECR 567

Ait-Rabah v SSHD [2016] EHWC 1099 (Admin)

Ahmed v SSHD [2016] EWCA Civ 303

Priya is a busy and experienced specialist in immigration and asylum law. She is frequently instructed in appeals against decisions of the First-Tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal, and in judicial reviews and administrative review challenges against decisions of the Secretary of State. She is recommended by Legal 500.

Within her areas of practice her work includes refugee and human rights claims, trafficking and modern slavery claims, family and private life claims, deportations, bails, European applications, entry clearance matters, business immigration, interim relief applications, unlawful detention claims (judicial review and civil claims), civil penalties for illegal workers, asylum support and unaccompanied and age-disputed migrant children.

She has a particular interest in and experience of cases involving domestic violence, mental health issues and vulnerable clients. She provides regular training for ILPA on these topics. She is also the Chair of Trustees at Maa Shanti which is an organisation that supports South Asian single mothers/victims of domestic violence.

Priya regularly provides training on the intersection between family and immigration law. She is regularly instructed to provide expert advice on immigration issues in family proceedings. Her extensive experience of claims involving children and complex legal issues makes her a popular choice for expert opinions.