What people say about us

Penningtons Manches LLP’s team of ‘absolute experts’ has ‘a grasp of the law as well as practice, and this makes a tremendous difference when dealing with complicated and challenging issues’. It acts for clients in the education, technology and sports sectors, and advises individual high-net-worth clients on their immigration requirements. Team head Pat Saini delivers ‘creative solutions’, takes a ‘personal’ approach, and acts for high-net-worth individuals, multinational corporations, and SMEs and start-ups, and has particular expertise in the education and technology sectors. The ‘very able’ Hazar El-Chamaa heads the immigration offering for the private wealth sector and mainly handles investor and entrepreneur applications, as well as complex individual applications. Penny Evans focuses on corporate and education sector clients, and leads the Cambridge-based team.

‘Scrupulous and professional’ senior associate Duncan Bain has ‘a great wealth of knowledge’, is ‘completely approachable’ and ‘always demonstrates tremendous empathy, breaking down complex matters into simple language and allowing the client to make an informed decision’.

The Legal 500 - 2017 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP fields a ‘very diligent and thorough’ immigration team, known for obtaining ‘the best possible outcome‘ in difficult cases across the range of business and personal matters. Pat Saini leads the team, as well as co-leading the firm’s wider India group, and focuses on clients in the education industry – a key sector for the firm. Also notable is the ‘truly excellent‘ Hazar El-Chamaa, who, alongside her work heading up private wealth immigration and handling complex personal cases including nationality and EU work, currently sits as head of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association. Senior associate Meghan Vozila is noted for her broad practice acting for clients ranging from SMEs and high-net-worth individuals to multinationals, and associate Afeefah Shabbir is key to the firm’s corporate offering. 

‘We found Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP to be highly professional and reliable. All their advice was concise and clear, that led us to a good result.’

‘Clear advice, very diligent and thorough in approach, went beyond to get us the best possible outcome.’

‘The lawyers in the team are all extremely knowledgeable which allows them to thoroughly assess a situation and provide top notch advice to clients.’

‘Pat Saini who leads the practice at Penningtons has done an excellent job, and has helped me to explain to key stakeholders and the media what is happening with UK immigration. She is a strong leader with great communication skills.’

‘Hazar El-Chamaa is truly excellent. In addition to her wealth of knowledge and experience in immigration law, she is approachable, pragmatic and solution-oriented. A matter is always in good hands in her care.’

‘All members of the team are exceptional, particularly Pat Saini and Meghan Vozila. Both of these individuals are stars and can handle any immigration matter.’

‘Meghan Vozila and her team always were available and made sure I had quick answers to my many questions. They always offered different solutions with the pros and cons. Meghan especially was always diligent in getting back to me and she took time to deal with my issues.’

The Legal 500 - 2023 edition

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP's business immigration team works with corporates, start-ups, investors, entrepreneurs and high-net-worth individuals, and while it has a particular focus on the education sector, it is also adept at advising clients across the retail, finance, sports, technology, creative and private wealth sectors. It works closely with the firm's corporate, commercial and employment teams to provide a thorough service for its clients, and is regularly engaged on crisis management advice to businesses and education sector clients when sponsor licences are under threat. Department head Pat Saini is 'very experienced' and is strong in the education sector. Saini is ably supported by Hazar El-Chamaa, who heads the firm's private wealth immigration team. Senior associate May Cheung and associate Adam Cotterill are also recommended.

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

The immigration group at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is particularly recommended for its work for education and technology clients, sectors where practice head Pat Saini has a strong reputation; she also has extensive experience in UK-India relations. The team provides audit and compliance services and advises schools and study abroad providers seeking to set up in the UK. Associate May Cheung provides corporate immigration advice and handles sponsor compliance audits. On the private client side, Hazar El-Chamaa heads the firm's private wealth immigration offering, with a practice focused on complex investor and nationality applications. 

The team was hands down one of the best I’ve worked with from our first engagement. I would say some of their strengths are: communication, flexibility, efficiency, high level of knowledge in their specialist fields and overall wonderful service.

Pat Saini is outstanding. She understands the details and complexity of immigration rules and also is able to discuss the bigger picture impact of immigration policy.

Hazar El-Chamaa is very thorough with her work. She presented a process of the matter presented to her from start to finish. Hazar is also very prompt in all her responses.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

The immigration team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP - which is known for being one of 'the best in the market for immigration issues in higher education' - is led by the 'outstanding' Pat Saini, who also co-heads the firm's India group. The team has a well-established reputation as a strong choice for both business and individual clients; the firm’s private wealth immigration offering is led by the 'wonderful' Hazar El-Chamaa, who was recently elected as chair of the Immigration Law Practitioners Association. The team has recently been busy advising clients whose travel and work plans have been impacted by the global pandemic, as well as continuing to assist businesses with post-Brexit issues.

‘Pat Saini is an outstanding immigration lawyer. She was critical in making our transaction happen smoothly. Great knowledge, availability and ability to make things happen.’

‘Hazar El-Chamaa is wonderful and always ready to support any legal requirements, including effective delegations. Her standing within the immigration and residency legal profession has been exceptionally earned.’

‘I would like to highlight the efforts and detail oriented work of Meghan Vozila. Meghan has not only been involved in every detail of the procedure but has gone above and beyond in supporting the client.’

The Legal 500 - 2022 edition

Strengths: ‘The solicitors treat us more like colleagues than customers, which allows us to talk freely and openly and build a positive business relationship based on trust and mutual respect,’ a client reports.

‘We are super impressed with Penningtons Manches Cooper and delighted to be working with them,’ says a source.

An interviewee adds: ‘I trust their advice and rely on their expert knowledge.’

Notable practitioners
‘Pat Saini is very knowledgeable and willing to provide real-world, practical solutions to fit the needs of our business.’ ‘She is extremely knowledgeable, incredibly flexible with her time and has good industry contacts.’

Chambers UK - 2022 edition

Strengths: Sources say: 'They are incredibly knowledgeable about this area of law and always up to date on what's happening and what's going to happen.'

Notable practitioners
Head of the immigration team Pat Saini 'is fantastic - she is super well connected and provides timely, concise and accessible advice.'

Chambers UK - 2021 edition

The team provides various university clients and multinational corporations with support for EU national employees. The team also offers specialist human rights, appeals and overstay advice where it advises on complex applications and cases involving surrogacy and adoption. Department head Pat Saini is 'very experienced' and is strong in the education sector. Saini is ably supported by Hazar El-Chamaa, who heads the firm's private wealth immigration team. Senior associate May Cheung and associate Adam Cotterill are also recommended.

The Legal 500 - 2020 edition

The team was hands down one of the best I’ve worked with from our first engagement. I would say some of their strengths are: communication, flexibility, efficiency, high level of knowledge in their specialist fields and overall wonderful service

Pat Saini is outstanding. She understands the details and complexity of immigration rules and also is able to discuss the bigger picture impact of immigration policy.

Hazar El-Chamaa heads the firm's private wealth immigration offering, with a practice focused on complex investor and nationality applications. 

Adam Cotterill specialises in private and family immigration, including human rights claims, international surrogacy and adoption.

Hazar El-Chamaa is very thorough with her work. She presented a process of the matter presented to her from start to finish. Hazar is also very prompt in all her responses.

Adam Cotterill was exceptional in all of our interactions. He was both professional and also kind and understanding to our situation.

The Legal 500 - 2021 edition

Pat Saini attracted praise for her ability to create a productive environment. Her relationship building is really crucial.

Hazar El-Chamaa’s contribution clearly adds value to the firm’s clients. If it’s coming from Penningtons, Hazar will have pulled out the important points and done things properly.

Chambers UK - 2013 edition

Strengths: 'They have an in-depth level of expertise and the service is good value for money.'

Notable practitioners

Department head Pat Saini is praised by clients for her technical abilities and interpersonal skills. Sources consider her a 'shrewd negotiator who knows how to make hard points with flair'.

Chambers UK - 2015 edition

Strengths: 'They are very impressive and real believers in our cause.'

'They are well organised, responsive and we have a good relationship with them.'

Notable practitioners

Pat Saini is primarily known for her Tier 4 expertise, which she deploys with assurance for the benefit of educational institutions. She is also highly recommended for advice on Tier 1 applications.

Chambers UK - 2016 edition

The team is able to utilise the firm's education, corporate and employment teams to provide a complete service to clients.

Strengths: Sources say: ‘This firm combines its knowledge of the law and its implementation into practice very well, which is a very big plus.’

Interviewees value ‘the degree of knowledge, flexibility and understanding of our business.’

Notable practitioners
Pat Saini is described by clients as ‘very positive and always available’ and is praised for her ‘high degree of expertise and knowledge’. She advises an array of clients from the technology, education and entertainment sectors, among others, on the full spectrum of immigration issues.

Chambers UK - 2018 edition

Pat Saini is a growing force in immigration law.

The Legal 500 - 2013 edition

Pat Saini, who displays a ‘high degree of professionalism and integrity', leads the ‘excellent' team at Penningtons Manches LLP.

The Legal 500 - 2014 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP, which provides ‘clear and concise advice’, has strong credentials in the education sector, and is frequently instructed to handle crisis management issues. Individuals singled out in Pat Saini’s team include senior associates Penny Evans, who is ‘extremely knowledgeable’, and Hazar El-Chamaa.

Senior associate and former barrister Duncan Bain is the key figure at Penningtons Manches LLP; he has particular expertise in conducting immigration appeals against visa refusals, and advised on a number of Tier 1 applications and migrant right-to-work issues.

The Legal 500 - 2015 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP is ‘a very capable firm’ that provides ‘consistent and comprehensive advice’. The group, which is led by Pat Saini (who is noted for her ‘great depth of understanding’) acts for a broad range of clients in the technology, sports and entertainment sectors, and has seen an increase in instructions from clients in the education sector. Clients recommend Hazar El-Chamaa, who is now a partner, and non-practising associate director Penny Evans.

The Legal 500 - 2016 edition

Penningtons Manches LLP’s team of ‘absolute experts’ has ‘a grasp of the law as well as practice, and this makes a tremendous difference when dealing with complicated and challenging issues’. It acts for clients in the education, technology and sports sectors, and advises individual high-net-worth clients on their immigration requirements. Team head Pat Saini delivers ‘creative solutions’, takes a ‘personal’ approach, and acts for high-net-worth individuals, multinational corporations, and SMEs and start-ups, and has particular expertise in the education and technology sectors. The ‘very able’ Hazar El-Chamaa heads the immigration offering for the private wealth sector and mainly handles investor and entrepreneur applications, as well as complex individual applications. Penny Evans focuses on corporate and education sector clients, and leads the Cambridge-based team.

‘Scrupulous and professional’ senior associate Duncan Bain has ‘a great wealth of knowledge’, is ‘completely approachable’ and ‘always demonstrates tremendous empathy, breaking down complex matters into simple language and allowing the client to make an informed decision’. 

The Legal 500 - 2017 edition

I will never forget the level of service, detail, effort and care Pat provided to successfully obtain my Tier 1 Exceptional Talent and Promise Visa. I met Pat through Tech London Advocate (TLA) and as soon as we met I was relieved to know I was not alone in this process. Pat, not only was instrumental in advocating for and developing the TechCity Exceptional Talent and Promise in Technology visa but also had an impressive success track record. However, what sets Pat apart is her genuine compassion and support during the inherently stressful application process, passion for talented people to remain and grow their businesses in the UK and her pro-active approach in finding ways to help above and beyond the legal process. Pat also helped me believe in myself and pushed me to new heights as an entrepreneur.

Jillian Kowalchuk, Safe & The City

Pat's counsel and assistance were simply excellent. Her experience was evident in her clarifications about the regulations, and her advice and guidance on how to proceed. She and her team were very responsive and helpful in the application process, which was completed very smoothly.

Private client