9 October 2026

Some members of our legal team attended The Law Society’s Annual Dinner, helping to raise funds for the Society’s charity People in Need.

5 October 2026

We were delighted to support Hospice Isle of Man’s Cakes for Care 2026 fundraiser this morning, raising money for people affected by cancer and the essential services our local Hospice provides.

Thanks to our team for their generous contributions of savouries, cakes and raffle prizes. Your support made the event a great success!

Celebrating 20 years in business is a significant achievement and we couldn’t have reached it without our wonderful team and clients. To mark the occasion, our office will be closed from 12pm on Friday 31 July so our team can celebrate. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported us over the last two decades – we  appreciate your continued support and look forward to working with you for many more years ahead.

We will reopen on Monday 3 August 2026.

Congratulations to Clare Wicke on successfully passing the Manx Bar exams!

Clare, an English Solicitor, joined BridsonHalsall in 2025 and quickly established herself as a key member of the team.  She specialises in trust and estate administration, will drafting and powers of attorney, and also advises on wealth planning.

Claire Clampton, Director, commented: “We are extremely proud of Clare for passing the Manx Bar exams on her first attempt – a fantastic achievement. She is a highly valued member of our team, and we look forward to supporting her as she continues to progress in her legal career”.

Today we are showing our support for Victim Support Isle of Man by taking part in their Dress in Yellow Day and fundraising for their charity to help them continue their work in the local community.

Our office will close at 12:30pm on Wednesday 24 December 2025 and will re-open on Monday 5 January 2026.

Best wishes from our Team.

Christmas Jumper Day 2025 – great effort team!

Its Pink Day 2025! Our staff are delighted to support Manx Breast Cancer Support Group’s Isle of Woman Pink Day, helping to raise vital funds for breast cancer patients on the Isle of Man. Well done team!

Today we joined in Macmillan Cancer Support’s Coffee Morning to help raise money for people living with cancer and the vital services Macmillan provides.

Thanks to our team for their generous contributions of savouries, cakes and raffle prizes. Your support made the event a great success!

Maria Bridson is giving a presentation on Insights into Modern Slavery and Labour Exploitation in the Isle of Man on 10 July 2025 organised by CIPD Isle of Man. CIPD members – free entry and £10.00 fee for non-members

Book your space by following this link:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/insights-into-modern…

We are delighted to announce that Bernadette Arlow and Jessica Loader have successfully passed their Manx Bar exams.

Bernadette, a South African-qualified attorney, conveyancer, and notary, brings over 20 years of experience in property law, wills, and probate. Since joining BridsonHalsall in 2021, she has played a key role in supporting clients with all aspects of residential conveyancing.

Jessica joined our team in 2024 as a Trainee Advocate and is an integral part of our legal team, assisting across a wide range of legal matters.

Claire Clampton, Director, commented: “We are extremely proud of Bernadette and Jessica for passing the Manx Bar exams on their first attempt. They are both valued members of our team, and we look forward to supporting them in the next stages of their legal careers.”

Why Make a Will?

Research from Canada Life suggests that over half of British adults have not written a Will – we know from our experience that many clients find the process daunting whether from an unwillingness to think about death or an uncertainty as to the process of creating a Will.  Whilst it is understandably unpleasant to think about what will happen when you are gone many people who do take the plunge find the process helpful and take comfort in knowing that they have provided for their loved ones should the worst happen. When it comes to administering your estate having a Will that clearly sets out your wishes can help your loved ones navigate through a very difficult time and save them from costly complications.

To help you consider whether you should make a Will we have answered some of the more frequently asked questions and addressed some of the more common misconceptions surrounding Wills below.

Do I need a Will when I just want everything to pass to my partner?

It is a common misconception that if you die without a Will in place your partner will inherit all of your assets – whilst there is some truth to this statement the actual position is a lot more complex and it can often cause unforeseen problems and distress for families when people pass away without a Will.

When you die without a Will the law determines who will receive your assets by applying the intestacy rules – these rules sets out a list of who will receive your assets in a strict order of priority. The way in which your estate will be divided will depend on how you hold your property (i.e. if it is in your sole name or owned jointly with someone else), whether you are married or in a civil partnership and whether you have children.

It is true that if you die without a Will and you do not have children then everything you own in your sole name will pass to your spouse, however, if you do have children then they may also be entitled to a portion of your estate. Depending on your circumstances this can lead to difficulties for your spouse – for example depending on how you own your house they may be forced to sell this to pay your children’s legacies.

If you are not married to your partner then they will not receive anything under the intestacy rules regardless of how long you have been together or if you co-habit. Instead, anything you own in your own name or as tenants in common will pass to any children you may have and if you do not have any children more distant relations may benefit from your estate. There is a very common misconception that people become “common law spouses” after they have lived together for a certain period of time. Neither Manx nor English law recognises any such concept. There have been very sad cases where a couple have lived together for decades as husband and wife but never married with one partner owning the majority of the couple’s assets and their house. When they pass away the deceased’s children from a previous relationship have inherited the deceased’s entire estate with the long term partner left with nothing but the expense of taking urgent advice as to a potential court claim under the Inheritance Provision for Family and Dependents legislation.

The intestacy rules do not include friends, carers or charities and if there is absolutely no family left to benefit from an estate, it ultimately passes to the Treasury. This is often not what people would choose to happen when they pass away. Making a Will is, therefore, the best way to ensure that your wishes are complied with and your loved ones are given the support you would want them to have after you are gone.

I don’t think I have enough money to justify making a Will

There is no lower limit to how much you can or should leave in a Will and the Will itself does not need to be complex. In smaller estates it can sometimes be the case that the additional hassle and expense of trying to determine who can administer the estate and who will benefit under the intestacy rules means that a large portion of the money in the estate is spent on tracing and legal fees. By making a simple Will you can avoid these expenses and ensure that what you do own passes on to your chosen individual or charity.

I am too young to need a Will

It is never too early to make certain that you have made arrangements for what will happen to your assets after your death even if they will hopefully not be required for many years. This is especially true if you have young children as a Will allows you to appoint Guardians for them as well as allowing you to ensure that you have given both your children and their Guardians suitable financial support should anything happen to you.

Do I need to use a lawyer to prepare my Will?

Whilst you are not legally required to do so we would always advise having your Will drafted by an experienced qualified lawyer as there have been many cases where even simple Wills which were not properly drawn up or properly executed have been found to be invalid leading to complications and considerable expense to the family of the deceased person. The majority of Wills that end up in expensive litigation have been drafted by non-lawyers. If the Will is not executed in accordance with the strict rules in the Wills Act then the will is invalid.

As well as ensuring that your Will has been properly drafted and signed a lawyer can discuss your wishes, advise on the best ways they can be achieved and review your individual circumstances to make sure that you have considered of all the potential issues surrounding your estate. Even seemingly simple matters can have hidden complications and ensuring that your Will has been properly drafted can help prevent costly issues arising after you have passed away.

How often should I update my Will?

We would normally recommend reviewing your Will every five years or so to remind yourself of the contents and ensure that you are still happy with it, however, there are certain events that should always prompt you to update your Will. If you get married any Will that you have will be automatically revoked so it is essential that you have a new one put in place. We also always recommend obtaining a new Will when you commence divorce proceedings to ensure that you are not inadvertently leaving your estate to your soon-to-be ex-spouse.

You should also consider updating your Will after any significant life event such as the birth of a child or grandchild or a change in your circumstances (such as receiving an inheritance or purchasing a house).

Our experienced team of Manx advocates and English solicitors can advise you on all aspects of estate planning and Will drafting and are always happy to discuss any questions you may have and costs for the work you wish us to undertake. Please contact us to arrange a meeting. If you are on a low income or on certain benefits you may be entitled to “Green Form” assistance which is a type of legal aid.

Contact our team on 01624 614422 or email reception@iomlaw.com

Are you expecting visitors from the EU for TT (or at all)? BridsonHalsall Advocates, with its expert immigration team, flag the new entry requirement for visitors from the EU.

With the TT fast approaching, campsites, hotels, homestay and others will be preparing to welcome thousands of visitors from all over the world. However, a critical change in UK border policy may affect your EU-based guests — and it’s essential you’re aware.

The UK Government is rolling out the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme, which requires visitors from the European Union (as well as other visa-exempt countries) to obtain pre-travel clearance before entering the UK.

Whilst the Isle of Man is not part of the UK, all international arrivals via the UK must comply with UK border controls. This means EU nationals heading to the island for the TT will need to apply online for an ETA before they travel. Without it, they will be denied boarding or refused entry.

If you are expecting guests from the EU then you might want to inform them of the need for an ETA to ensure they know and are prepared. The application process is relatively simple, typically approved within 72 hours, but should be completed in advance. Missed travel due to non-compliance could lead to lost bookings, last-minute cancellations, and disappointed customers. Don’t let an oversight spoil your guests’ TT.

BridsonHalsall are a full service law firm giving skilled legal advice to our local and international clients.

For further guidance on this or other legal matters contact our team on 01624 614422 or email reception@iomlaw.com

We are pleased to announce that senior solicitor Clare Wicke has joined our busy private client team and will be working alongside Martine Fleming and Emily Wood.

Clare was educated on island and has relocated back from West Yorkshire bringing a wealth of knowledge spanning the areas of trust and estate administration, Wills and powers of attorney. She advises on wealth planning and has considerable experience advising clients on issues surrounding the winding up of trusts and the administration of estates. Clare can also advise clients about their UK assets and excels in assisting vulnerable clients with Enduring Powers of Attorney and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Clare qualified as a Solicitor in 2019 having studied at the University of Exeter and the University of Law in Leeds and is an Associate member of the Society for Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP).

Director Claire Clampton commented “We are delighted to welcome Clare to the BridsonHalsall team and look forward to working with her.”

Martine Fleming is giving a presentation on Trustees: Risks and Protections on Thursday 13 March 2025 organised by STEP IOM.

Tickets are available for members and non-members of STEP. Book your space by following this link

Christmas Jumper Day 2024 – we recently wore our Christmas jumpers and our staff donated gifts to be shared amongst three local charities: St Christopher’s, Southern Befrienders and A Little Piece of Hope. Thank you to the staff who participated and donated to these worthy causes.

Litigators in the Isle of Man  take note: the Rules of the High Court of Justice (Amendment) (No. 2) 2024 came into effect on 1 December 2024. These amendments, which alter Part 14
of the Rules of the High Court of Justice 2009, introduce significant
changes to time limits for appeals that could easily catch practitioners
unaware.

Key Changes

• Interim Orders: Time for filing an appeal has increased from 14 days to 21 days.
• Final Orders: Time for filing an appeal has been reduced from 42 days to 21 days.
• Privy Council Appeals: Appeals to the Privy Council must be filed within 21 days of the decision of the Appeal Division being handed down.

Limited Publicity and Transitional Provisions

The rules were made on 7 November 2024 and have received limited fanfare. The transitional provisions state that the amendments do not apply to appeal notices filed with the Appeal Division prior to 1 December 2024.
This does not help a party who thought they had 42 days to appeal a
Final Judgment handed down before 1 December but who has not filed a
notice of appeal.

Anyone considering an appeal from a final judgment handed down before 1 December 2024 must act swiftly. Appeals must now be filed within 21 days of the judgment, and a failure to act promptly could result in the need to apply for leave to appeal out of time.

Practical Advice

• Review Decisions Urgently: If you have a client
  considering an appeal from a recent final judgment, immediate action is
  required to avoid missing the deadline.
• Advise Clients: Ensure clients are fully aware of the reduced time limits for final order appeals.
• Apply for leave to appeal late if required: Where appropriate, prepare an application for leave to appeal late.

Contact Richard Halsall or any of our litigation team if you need assistance

This month marks five years at our Mount Havelock offices, a milestone that underscores our commitment to providing trusted and comprehensive legal services. With approaching two decades as a law firm in the Isle of Man, we are proud to provide support to our clients across a broad range of areas, including commercial, property, civil and criminal litigation, regulatory, family, immigration, and wills and estates.

We are grateful for the continued trust and support of our valued clients and remain dedicated to welcoming new clients as we move forward.

For more information on how we can assist you, please get in touch: 01624 614422 or email reception@iomlaw.com

“Marking five years at Mount Havelock is an opportunity to reflect on how our practice has grown to 21 team members to provide a full service to our clients. We are proud of what we have accomplished together and look forward to continuing to provide the high standard of service our clients expect.”

The UK Home Office’s current commercial partner, TLScontact is changing to VFS Global in some locations in Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. This transition will occur between September 2024 and January 2025.

From 22 October 2024, VFS Global will operate Visa Application Centres in the following countries:

Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Morocco, Seychelles, South Africa, Tunisia.

From 5 November 2024, VFS Global will operate Visa Application Centres in the following countries:

Cyprus (North), France, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Occupied Palestinian Territories, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.

From 19 November 2024, VFS Global will operate Visa Application Centres in the following countries:

Angola, Botswana, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

While these changes may seem significant, the UK Home Office is assuring applicants that the changes are designed to ensure a smooth and efficient visa application process. If you have booked an appointment with TLS centre, you will receive an email notification, advising you of the next steps.  Keep an eye on your email for any updates, and make sure to follow the instructions provided to avoid any delays with your application. If BridsonHalsall have assisted with your application then we will take care of that for you.

You can find more details on visa application centres in your country here .

For expert assistance with your Isle of Man visa application, contact our immigration team on 01624 614422 or by email reception@iomlaw.com

Maria Bridson, Senior Advocate at BridsonHalsall Advocates, has been awarded the 2024 Deemster Kerruish Endeavour Award in recognition of her work with victims of modern slavery and support for vulnerable individuals. Her expertise in complex immigration cases has had a significant impact, helping many people rebuild their lives.

The Directors at BridsonHalsall congratulated Maria, stating: “Maria embodies the principles of persistence and dedication that Deemster Kerruish valued. We are proud of her tireless efforts and her well-deserved recognition.”

The award, in memory of His Honour First Deemster Michael Kerruish, was presented to Maria by the President of the Isle of Man Law Society Vicki Unsworth and Mrs Marianne Kerruish.

We are delighted to share that Bernadette Arlow is celebrating three years with BridsonHalsall Advocates  after immigrating with her family from South Africa to the Isle of Man. Bernadette, a qualified South African attorney and conveyancer, joined the firm’s property department  and has since developed a wealth of experience in Isle of Man property law.

Bernadette has earned a stellar reputation among clients and estate agents alike for her attention to detail and exceptional client care. Her dedication and expertise have made her a trusted figure in the field. Now, as she prepares to sit for the Manx  Bar exams, Bernadette continues to demonstrate the same commitment and professionalism that have defined her journey so far.

We are proud of Bernadette’s achievements and look forward to her continued success as part of our team!

Macmillan’s Coffee Morning is the biggest fundraising event to support people living with cancer and on Friday 28 September 2024 our staff participated to raise funds for the charity. Thank you to all the staff who could donate cakes, money and time.

Macmillan Cancer Support is there to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. They raise money to provide vital cancer services, research and campaign to achieve better cancer care, and support the cancer workforce.

ISLE OF MAN IMMIGRATION UPDATE: The Isle of Man Immigration office has updated the processing times.

Processing times as of March 2024:

• All Health & Care visa applications* – 7 business days
• Entry Clearance* – 75 business days (from receipt of application from UKVI)
• Further and Indefinite Leave to Remain – 90 business days
• Confirmation of Employment – 30 business days
• Certificate of Sponsorship – 10 business days
• Sponsor Licence Applications – 10 business days
• Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies – 10 business days

Processing times are calculated from the date of receipt of all required supporting documentation and the correct fee being paid.

It’s essential to ensure your applications are fully completed with all supporting documents to avoid any additional delays. We can assist with ensuring your application is properly prepared for smooth processing.

Applicants should be aware this is only a guideline to indicate of how long the applications may take and the timeframes are not guaranteed.

*For applications that are made on-line via the UKVI, the processing times are from receipt of application by the IOM Immigration service.

If you have any queries regarding any immigration matter, please contact our immigration team – Maria Bridson or Evija Roberts.

Today we are showing our support for Victim Support Isle of Man by taking part in their Dress in Yellow Day and fundraising for their charity.

Christmas Jumper Day, 22 December 2023 – we recently wore our Christmas jumpers and raised money for the great local charity Isle of Play who provide opportunities for all children on the Island. Thank you to all the staff who donated.

Supreme Court dismisses appeals concerning overstaying and continuous lawful residence requirement for ILR on basis of long residence

R (on the application of Afzal) (Appellant) v Secretary of State for the Home Department (Respondent) [2023] UKSC 46.

Read full judgment here

If you are not an immigration geek then you may want to skate on by this article – its technical but I’ll try and keep it simple. (Apologies to any purists if I generalize).

The case in question concerns “Book-ending” an immigration term which means where a period of “overstaying” is sandwiched between two periods of valid leave. It comes about due to either not submitting an application in time and putting an application in during a short grace period after the leave expires. The grace period used to be 28 days but since the introduction of Rule 39E it has been shortened to 14 days. Or, book-ending can come about due to the operation of Section 3C of the Immigration Act 1971. This is colloquially referred to as 3C leave and broadly it operates to extend the current period of leave until a decision is made on an application or the application is withdrawn.  This is useful as it protects the immigration status of a person who submits an application on time but then his leave expires before the Immigration Office makes its decision. Section 3C operates automatically and it doesn’t need a separate application but a key feature is that the application must be validly made.

On 28 November 2023 the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the cases of Mr Afzal and Mr Iyieke. Both men had first entered the UK as students in 2014 and 2011 respectively and had made multiple applications since that date to stay in the UK. Mr Afzal had a period of overstaying between July 2017 and September 2019. Mr Iyieke’s period of overstaying was between August 2014 and November 2014. Both men had become overstayers but subsequently had been granted permission on different family and private life grounds. They then both sought to apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) on the basis of 10 years long residency (Para 276B of the Immigration Rules). There had been extensive litigation over the years culminating in these Supreme Court appeals.

At the core of these cases was whether the Immigration Rules wording about bookended leave meant the period of overstaying itself could be counted towards the continuous 10 year period of lawful residency and when an applicant gets the benefit of any grace periods or not. (Hope you are still with me at this point!).

As mentioned, to gain the benefit of Section 3C leave a valid application must be made.  Previous litigation had determined that where an applicant had failed to attend a biometrics appointment then no valid application had been made and 3C leave was not available (see case of Mirza).  Mr Afzal’s first problem was that he had paid his application fee but failed to pay his Immigration Health Surcharge. The court held that his application was not made within the 14 day grace period and because his application was invalid he could not benefit from Section 3C leave. This broke the 10 year period of continuous lawful residency and so his ILR application had been validly refused.

The Court then went on to consider whether the bookended period of overstaying itself counted towards the 10 year continuous residency period.  The Court held that the period of overstaying itself cannot be added to the periods of lawful residence either side of it to make up a total of 10 years lawful residence.  In Mr Afzal’s case he could combine his first and second lawful periods of residency but the gap in the middle cannot be added to the total.

Mr Iyieke’s appeal was slightly different and considered how the phrase “the previous application” in para 276B(v)(a) should be interpreted. Mr Iyieke had made an application within the (then) 28 day grace period. However, that application had been unsuccessful. He then made a subsequent out-of-time application which was successful.  The Supreme Court noted that he could not rely on “any previous application for leave which the person may have made, even if unsuccessful” to serve as the book-ended leave, only the previous application e.g. the most recent successful application in time, could be counted to mark the end of the period of overstaying. The Court concluded that to allow Mr Iyieke’s appeal would lead to a perverse outcome that it would be more advantageous to submit an application out of time and so his appeal was refused.

If you are scratching your head by this point (and trust me I’ve left out tons of the nitty-gritty detail) then you are not alone. The Supreme Court Judge, Lord Sales finished with a final comment on the poor drafting of the Immigration Rules which creates needless difficulties and uncertainties which lead to expensive litigation. He suggested that it was highly desirable that the project to redraft the Immigration Rules to make them clearer be completed.

The key takeaway is – keep a keen eye your visa expiry date and prepare early to make your renewal application. If you are unsure consult your immigration lawyer early whilst she may still have time to fix any problems. If not, your continuous period of leave needed for indefinite leave to remain may be at risk.

Modern slavery is a serious and often hidden crime where people are exploited for criminal gain. It is an umbrella term for any form of servitude or forced labour whether that is labour or sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, forced marriage, human trafficking, organ harvesting or criminal exploitation. Globally it is estimated that 40 to 50 million people are in modern slavery. There is no typical victim and it can affect men, women and children of all nationalities. However, it is most prevalent among the most vulnerable or minority groups and it often coincides with poverty, lack of education and language skills, economic imbalances, war and unstable political conditions.

We should be careful not to think of modern slavery victims only as people smuggled in the back of lorries or imprisoned inside squalid flats. All modern slavery victims are subject to some form of coercion and that could be physical violence, but may also involve deception or abuse of power. Commonly migrant labour exploitation involves false promises of legitimate jobs, debt bondage, extortion and control over working conditions and accommodation.  This control takes many forms. Some legitimate migrants have been deceived by sugar-coated promises, so victims may appear to have given their consent. However, in reality they may have little ability to choose to leave the exploitative situation. Often they or their families may be threatened or are indebted to the criminals and their network of recruiters to many tens of thousands of pounds. This allows unscrupulous people to exercise considerable control by exploiting the victim’s fears of being reported to the police or immigration authorities and deported. Many migrants have poor English and little knowledge of their immigration status or legal and employment rights.

Labour exploitation can occur anywhere but it can be common in certain industries such as nail bars, takeaways, car washes, food processing, fishing and agriculture, warehousing and distribution, building sites and cleaning work. Organised crime gangs with an eye to profit often target industries which need large workforces of low-skilled labour during certain seasons. In the UK’s health and care sector these gangs profit in multiple ways by taking a cut from the employer while also receiving  hefty illegal recruitment fees to obtain the job offers from the migrants themselves.  Criminals take on-going wage deductions (often dressed up as service or accommodation payments) and also maximise their profits by using migrants’ identities for benefit frauds and their bank accounts to launder criminal proceeds. It is a pernicious crime that preys on the vulnerable and defrauds society.

Despite our geographic location, the Isle of Man is not isolated from the risks of migrant labour exploitation. Modern slavery occurs in plain sight and neighbours, work colleagues and customers so often fail to notice what’s happening. We need to learn to recognise the signs of excessive hours, no or poor English, employers who speak on behalf of their workers, houses of multiple occupancy and be alert to the possibility of modern slavery. If you are offered a service for much less than you would expect to pay for it, then almost certainly someone is being exploited. Employers and businesses need to demand high ethical standards and transparency from recruitment partners and suppliers.  Landlords, banks, public servants and service providers need to look carefully at the people using their service and act on any concerns. This isn’t a problem that the Isle of Man Government can solve on its own. To combat modern slavery takes each of us to acknowledge it is an issue on our Island, and then to notice the people who live and work in our communities and raise concerns when things don’t seem quite right.

There are plenty of accessible resources online that can help make you and your business more aware of modern slavery typologies, and the signs to look out for. I will be running some modern slavery workshops in the New Year and you can email support@iomlaw.com if you would like further information.

Evija Roberts – a Paralegal at Isle of Man-based international law practice BridsonHalsall – has qualified as a Fellow of CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives).

CILEX is a leading organisation which creates accessible opportunities to build careers in the legal profession. Evija, who joined BridsonHalsall in 2019, was awarded the Fellowship at a recent graduation ceremony held at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in London.

Evija said: “Having started my CILEX journey in 2008 with a full time job, taking a break due to personal reasons and starting again, I am delighted to finally call myself a Fellow and Chartered Legal Executive, and I am grateful to my colleagues for all their support.”

Evija’s specialist areas are wills and probate practice and she deals with a wide range of private client matters, including enduring powers of attorney, grants of probate and estate administration for clients based in the Isle of Man and internationally.

Since starting her career at BridsonHalsall, she has broadened her knowledge, skills and experience by working with advocates across the firm’s main practice areas. Evija is currently a key member of the immigration team and provides invaluable support to the Head of Immigration and Senior Advocate Maria Bridson. Maria congratulated Evija on qualifying as a Fellow of CILEX, and commented: “Evija has excellent knowledge and practical experience of making Isle of Man visa and nationality applications. Clients always appreciate her high professional standards and superb attention to detail.”

Leading international law practice BridsonHalsall now has another fully qualified Manx Advocate.

Emily Brennan was recently sworn in by His Honour First Deemster Andrew Corlett. Emily moved from the Isle of Man to England to pursue her legal studies. After graduating from Sheffield Hallam University in 2018 with a Law with Criminology Degree she went on to obtain a commendation in her Legal Practice Course and Masters in Legal Practice at the University of Sheffield. In 2020 she started work with a busy Manchester law firm before moving back to the Island to qualify as a Manx Advocate.

BridsonHalsall – which has offices at Mount Havelock, Douglas – is led by founding directors and advocates Andrew Bridson and Richard Halsall.

Richard Halsall said: “On behalf of everyone at BridsonHalsall I want to congratulate Emily on her achievement. She is a valuable addition to our growing team.”

Emily thanked all of her colleagues for their support, and added: “I have had a great experience training at BridsonHalsall. Over the past year I have learned so much from my colleagues and been given exposure to a wide range of areas of law which has allowed me to decide what I would like to practice in. In addition to fellow advocates sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience, they have also organised mock trials to help me gain practical experience. I couldn’t wish for a more supportive and welcoming working environment.”

The BridsonHalsall team have expertise in legal matters including family law, property/conveyancing, commercial litigation, employment, immigration, personal litigation, compliance and crisis response, criminal law, company and commercial law, trusts, estates and mediation.

Experience at BridsonHalsall

I have had a great experience training at BridsonHalsall. Over the past year I have learned so much from my colleagues and been given exposure to a wide range of areas of law which has allowed me to decide what I would like to practice in. When I first joined BridsonHalsall I wanted to try a bit of everything to help me make this decision, and I’ve been able to do this by assisting fee earners in each department of the firm. This means I’ve gained experience in family law, personal injury, private client matters, immigration, criminal and civil litigation, inquests and employment matters.

BridsonHalsall have also provided practical training, for example by holding mock trials.  I am really grateful to all of my colleagues for being so supportive during my time as a trainee. I have formed some great relationships and couldn’t ask for a more welcoming working environment. I am excited to continue my career as a qualified Manx Advocate at a practice which values its clients and provides such an excellent service.

When did you decide you wanted a career in law?

When I was considering my university options I thought a law degree would open up a number of career paths, but at that time I was not necessarily thinking of following the traditional route to become a solicitor or barrister.

However, I became more interested in how, as an advocate, you can bring about positive changes for clients, and this is what I became passionate about when I was studying historical cases on my degree course.

The general topics interested me, but as I studied different modules I realised there was so much more to learn than I had initially thought. In particular, I liked the broad element of law and the fact that there are many diverse areas to specialise in.

Where did you study?

In 2015 I went to Sheffield Hallam University for my Law with Criminology degree and developed a keen interest in criminal law and the criminal justice system. Following my degree, that inspired me to continue my studies at the University of Sheffield where I completed the Legal Practice Course and a Masters in Legal Practice.

What was your plan following this?

I intended to remain in the UK to gain a training contract. The timing was very difficult because I graduated just before the pandemic began in 2020, but I was able to gain a role in a UK firm specialising in conveyancing.

Unfortunately, shortly after this I was placed on furlough because of lockdowns.  At that time I was looking to return home to the Isle of Man. I had done some work experience with a Manx law firm while I was doing my degree so I investigated the process of becoming a Manx advocate and then decided to return to the Island to further my career.

What experience have you gained?

Since undertaking my articles, I have faced numerous challenges, but have also learned new skills. For example, I now have more confidence with public speaking, a skill which has developed greatly due to my experience of working with the BridsonHalsall litigation team and taking part in mock trials. I have built up substantial experience from talking to and advising clients in a variety of different areas.

Gaining practical experience in drafting court applications, taking witness statements, and advising clients in relation to personal injury and family matters, has all helped to expand my legal knowledge. In addition, I have also shadowed advocates giving specific advice to clients at police stations and criminal courts. I am eager to put this experience into practice.

I have extensive experience in conveyancing having started my training by focusing on this specialist area. I’m pleased to have helped people with their property transactions which has always been a happy experience for clients.

What areas of law are you most interested in?

The litigation side of law, such as criminal litigation, personal injury, family law and employment law, are specialist areas that I’m really passionate about. I like the people and human interest side of the profession, and have a good working relationship with clients. This has helped to significantly increase my self-confidence in these areas over the last 12 months.

What have been the highlights of your training?

Passing the Manx Bar exams is the ultimate highlight.

Additionally, I was surprised by the mock courts and how much I enjoyed taking part in them and presenting my case.  It pushed me out of my comfort zone and was a valuable learning experience.

On behalf of BridsonHalsall we congratulate our client Dr Rosalind Ranson on her brave and successful fight for justice following her unfair dismissal by DHSC.

The Isle of Man was extremely lucky to have Dr Ranson in post as Medical Director just before the covid pandemic began. The Tribunal noted the high degree of respect that Dr Ranson commanded amongst colleagues. Sadly, her treatment by those running DHSC was shameful. The consequences of that treatment are far reaching, and ongoing because it raises serious questions relating to Isle of Man Government’s actions and decisions.

Dr Ranson was found to have been unfairly dismissed due to whistleblowing regarding her serious concerns about matters such as patient safety, and that the then DHSC CEO Kathryn Magson was not passing her advice to Ministers to deviate from the Public Health England approach and to urgently close the Isle of Man border.

The Tribunal ruled that she had been subjected to humiliation, bullying, harassment and vilification and that ‘her humiliation was apparent up to and including high levels of Government and the Council of Ministers’. The Tribunal categorised former CEO Kathryn Magson’s misconduct (and others) as being ‘oppressive and arbitrary’.

With the constant support of her husband Damian, and the support of her union and friends, Dr Ranson fought on and has been rightly awarded the highest ever compensation award by the Isle of Man Equality and Employment Tribunal. Substantial costs were awarded on an indemnity basis due to the gross misconduct of DHSC who were found to have improperly defended the claim based on a false allegation (and indeed more than one) against Dr Ranson. The Tribunal ruled that Ms Magson knew the denials of liability in the DHSC response to the claim were untrue and that it was inexcusable for her to mislead the Tribunal and Dr Ranson.

Rare awards for aggravated and exemplary damages were made due to the DHSC’s ‘high handed, malicious, insulting and oppressive manner’ during the course of the litigation and were ‘warranted for [DHSC’s] oppressive, arbitrary and unconstitutional behaviour-amounting to gross misconduct’.

Senior BridsonHalsall Advocates Richard Halsall and Peter Russell represented Dr Ranson in defeating the two unsuccessful appeals by DHSC to the High Court against case management decisions of the Tribunal which both resulted in Dr Ranson’s legal costs being paid by DHSC. In both cases the High Court in the Isle of Man scheduled and heard the appeals with all necessary expedition. Senior BridsonHalsall Advocate Maria Bridson provided support and advice to Dr Ranson at an early stage and the practice provided litigation support for the Tribunal claims.

The case highlights:

1. the major financial support that can be provided by a union for legal representation (in this case the BMA);
2. that the Manx tribunal and courts can ably and independently deal with complicated challenges to improper actions by government departments; and
3. that the consequences for the Isle of Man of poor decision making by its government cause heavy financial and personal costs, not only for those impacted directly but also to the Isle of Man public.

BridsonHalsall Director Richard Halsall stated: “As has been heard, Dr Ranson had initially simply wanted her job back. Serious questions arise as to why DHSC defended the employment claim at all, including lodging and proceeding with two meritless appeals to the High Court.”

BridsonHalsall is a leading full service practice of Isle of Man Advocates with a depth of experience in wide-ranging matters, including all areas of litigation and dispute resolution including crossover work with regulatory work, and criminal law such as health and safety. The leading international law practice recently successfully defended the first defendant in the failed manslaughter prosecution of four local anaesthetists, and it also acts for Silverdale Care Limited (previously called Abbotswood).

An internationally connected, innovative, tech-focused business centre – combined with a relaxed, and secure lifestyle.

For more than four decades those USPs have underpinned the Island’s success as the preferred home for global businesses and internationally mobile HNWIs. It’s unique ability to find the perfect balance between a fast paced business world and relaxed leisure time has attracted generations of entrepreneurs and executives to live and work. That includes a fast-growing South African ex-pat community which makes a positive contribution to all aspects of island life.

Behind those headlines there are a few more secrets to the Isle of Man’s success.

A secure & stable hub for international business

As a Crown Dependency, the Isle of Man has an impressive track record as a politically and economically stable jurisdiction spanning centuries, including 40+ years as a leading international business centre. This creates the foundations for a safe, peaceful community. Official data shows that the Island is the safest place in the British Isles with an exceptionally low crime rate.

Lifestyle: The perfect work/life balance

The Isle of Man is a small community with a big heart. Historic homes mingle with modern new builds which blend in with a natural landscape that is equal to anything other regions of the British Isles have to offer. You will find excellent schools and healthcare, plus plenty to see and do on your doorstep. Superb restaurants, entertainment for all ages and sporting options are plentiful. When a city break or business trip calls, London and all other key destinations in the UK and Ireland are less than an hour away by air. There are regular sea links, and scheduled flights to most major airports, plus charter and private aircraft services.

Tech-focused

A world class power, communications infrastructure serves homes and businesses across the island.  There are six world class data centres, plus secure global connectivity via under-sea cables to Europe and the USA. This underpins the island’s status as a centre of excellence for tech-based business which today account for around 30% of the economy. It is home to leading companies operating in eGaming, eSports, fintech, blockchain, IoT, payments, media and film. With finance, insurance and professional services accounting for around 40% of GDP there are excellent career opportunities in these sectors too – especially for C-level executives.

Striving for sustainability

The public and private sectors are committed to achieving net zero goals. Sustainability is high on everyone’s agenda, but even more so in a community where residents cherish the stunning landscape and wealth of wildlife right on their doorstep. The Isle of Man is the only whole jurisdiction that’s a UNESCO Biosphere, and there’s a rapidly rising wave of interest in renewable energy amongst businesses and home owners. Opportunities abound for bird, whale, dolphin and wallaby spotting – yes, you did read that correctly!

Pragmatic taxation & regulation

A diverse and growing economy is supported by a very competitive taxation and regulatory ecosystem. Robust regulation, consumer protection and a ‘can do’ attitude is at the heart of the Isle of Man’s approach. There is generous financial support for businesses and a clear and simple taxation regime with advantages for those who operate internationally.

How we can help

As it would in any scenario which involved crossing continents, moving from South Africa to the Isle of Man has its challenges. But, with some expert professional help from people who really know the local requirements, it’s easier than you might think.

Click here to find out how we can help you or your business to make the move from SA to IOM.

Whether it’s you and your partner, family or business, crossing continents to relocate somewhere new may seem daunting.

As with anywhere else, the Isle of Man has some bureaucracy regarding immigration. Even though you will find the authorities to be a lot more pragmatic and helpful than in most other places, seeking professional legal advice is still a wise investment. The return on that investment is the peace of mind which comes from knowing you will be guided through red tape at every stage of the process so your journey is as stress free as possible.

Our well respected and experienced team deal with all aspects of Isle of Man law and offer the best advice on all matters relating to relocating, including immigration issues, property, employment, plus setting up and running a business. Thanks to many years of working with international clients, our practice has excellent connections to a range of specialists in the Isle of Man and across other jurisdictions who can assist to ensure a joined up approach whatever your needs.

Johannesburg to IOM: A case study

Out of all the BridsonHalsall team, Bernadette Arlow (who is our property lawyer and a South African qualified Attorney, Conveyancer and Notary) is best placed to offer an insight into what it’s really like to make the SA-IOM move. In 2020 she and her husband were living and working in Johannesburg with their 10 year old daughter and thinking of their future career and life plans.

The couple were considering emigration options like Australia, New Zealand and England until they found out about the Isle of Man, the hidden gem at the heart of the British Isles. An English-speaking jurisdiction openly welcoming new arrivals from overseas and offering security and safety, beautiful countryside and opportunities to obtain permanent residency and a full British passport.  It almost seemed too good to the true until they learned that nearly 10,000 other South African’s had already made the move and the opportunity was as good as it sounded.

Bernadette and her family made the move in August 2021 and are now happy to be part of the BridsonHalsall team and Island’s growing South African ex-pat community – so she understands better than most  the concerns in the minds of compatriots who are thinking about making the same journey.

She has no doubts about the value of seeking professional legal advice from a practice with local and international expertise. “The most important lesson I have learnt from my experience of moving here from South Africa is that it’s essential to choose a local immigration lawyer to complete your visa application,” says Bernadette. “Applying for a visa is a stressful, complicated process and each case is different. One small mistake and you run the risk of having to start again and losing your application fees.  You need an expert with local knowledge and experience to ensure that the application is completed as smoothly as possible.”

Our team are migration experts. Their understanding of South Africans and the ex-pat community mean they can help with the little things too. Whether it’s signposting removal companies or pet transportation, or recommending the best places to watch live TV coverage of rugby, cricket, football matches and cheer on South Africa alongside other ex-pats, contacting BridsonHalsall should be at the top of your ‘to do’ list.

Click here for a video in which Bernadette share’s more insights about her SA to IOM journey.

The simple answer to that question is – Yes! The Isle of Man is a great place to start and run a business. It offers an attractive tax and business environment, well regulated financial system, long-standing reputation for excellent professional services, highly skilled English-speaking workforce and robust tech infrastructure. Obtaining a visa to start your Isle of Man business can be straightforward and you will find a diverse community that welcomes newcomers to Island life.

Business migrant visas are for people starting, joining or taking over a business in the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man offers visa routes both to those individuals looking to establish a business for the first time (Start Up visa) and for those with existing business experience (Innovator visa route).

Business Migrant Innovator

The Innovator route offers a fast track to permanent residency in the Isle of Man and UK after only 3 years. For an established business person with investment funds of at least £50,000, and a business idea which is going to create at least 3 jobs in the Isle of Man, this is an attractive option. The jobs created can be filled by locals already in the Isle of Man or sponsored workers, making this a great opportunity to relocate your existing team from overseas to hit the ground running.

Business Migrant Start Up

For individuals without existing business experience and the required investment funds, the Start Up route gives an entry level opportunity to move to the Island and establish a business. This route does not lead to permanent residency but it allows up to 2 years in the Isle of Man to prove your business concept. It is then possible to change to the Business Migrant (Innovator) route and obtain permanent residency.

What’s the process?

The first stage for both Innovator and Start Up routes is to obtain an endorsement from the Isle of Man Government Department for Enterprise, the DFE. The DFE is responsible for encouraging inward investment and business migration to the Isle of Man and is looking for potential businesses to expand the Island’s economy and create jobs. DFE is willing to meet with potential business migrants at an early stage to discuss initial ideas and offer guidance.

Unlike the equivalent UK business routes there is no requirement for a registered endorsing body such as a tech incubator or university to endorse the business plan and so there is no competitive process or requirement to pay huge up-front fees.

To apply to be endorsed, applicants will need a sound business plan that meets the endorsing requirements. and which meet its criteria of Innovation, Viability and Scalability.

Innovation means the DFE is looking for something new to the market or sector or which creates a competitive advantage. The DFE is always keen to hear from businesses with a tech or green focus but it has granted endorsements to a wide range of original business ideas such as professional and financial services and manufacturing.

The next criteria is viability – does the business plan stack up and does the applicant have the necessary knowledge, skills and market awareness to develop a successful business? Key to meeting this criteria is local research so that the applicant can demonstrate to DFE that he or she really understands their product or service and target market and they are aware of the Isle of Man business environment and realistic in terms of financial projections.

Lastly there is scalability where DFE are focused in on the business plan to consider the potential for job creation and business growth both in the Isle of Man and potentially further afield.

Once the Endorsement has been issued by DFE then you must apply for your visa from your country of residence. Currently the visa application process takes around 4 months to be processed. Once your visas are issued then you and your family or business partner can travel to the Isle of Man to put your business plans into action.

An Isle of Man Business Migrant visa allows you to freely travel around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland making it easy to attend meetings and conferences and develop business relationships with UK and Irish partners. Family members can be included on a Business Migrant visa so your family can all enjoy the safe and relaxed lifestyle that the Island has to offer, but with easy access to the bright city lights of London and Manchester.

Permanent residency in the Isle of Man (or to use its technical term “indefinite leave to remain”) means you can live and work in the Isle of Man or any part of the United Kingdom. It also means you and your family members can naturalise as British Citizens and obtain a British passport.

If you are looking to make the Isle of Man your business base, we can provide an experienced and responsive team to support you every step of the way. Our established relationships can introduce you to a range of businesses to make the process seamless and maximise opportunities.

Our Head of Immigration, Maria Bridson, discusses the opportunities to migrate to the Isle of Man if you or your spouse has British ancestry, or in some cases if you have a grandparent with Irish ancestry.

Usually the first question I ask people who are exploring their options to move to the Isle of Man is – can you tell me about your family history?

The reason is sometimes it turns out that the person or their spouse is already a British Citizen (even if they were born outside the UK) and so have an existing right to live and work in the United Kingdom and the Isle of Man.  In these circumstances it may be possible to apply for a letter confirming their British citizenship and for a British passport. It’s a complex area because only some types of British Citizenship status can be passed down to the next generation, but it’s always worth exploring.

If that doesn’t apply to you then it’s worth delving further back in your family tree in case a grandparent of either you or your spouse was born anywhere in the United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales), the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. This route can also be used by a Commonwealth citizen with at least one grandparent who was born in Southern Ireland prior to 1922 (i.e. a grandparent born before partition in one of the 26 counties which are now in the Republic of Ireland). In these cases you may be eligible to apply for an Ancestry visa. Ancestry visas are pretty much top of my list when it comes to favourite visa routes because they offer many benefits and great flexibility. This visa route means that …

• You can work for any employer (rather than being sponsored by a named employer)
• You can be self-employed
• You can bring family members
• No English language test is required
• No specified amount of savings is needed as proof of maintenance

This visa category grants an initial duration of five years leading to permanent residency in the Isle of Man and the ability to apply for British Citizenship after the required period.

Unlike the United Kingdom there is no advance payment of the Immigration Health Charge meaning an Isle of Man application can save you and your family thousands of pounds in fees.

The first step is to speak to your relatives and draw up your family tree. If your recent ancestors include a British Citizen then you will need to gather the documents required to prove your claim – usually birth and marriage certificates. Applicants also need to show they are planning to work in the Isle of Man and so need to find a job offer, prepare a CV showing work history to date or a business plan if you aim to be self employed.

So, once you have done your family history research, get in touch with our team, who can provide the help and support needed to make a successful application.

BridsonHalsall Advocates Limited is an incorporated legal practice in the Isle of Man with registered number 125732C and regulated by the Isle of Man law Society. www.iomlaw.com

BridsonHalsall are delighted to announce the promotion of Claire Clampton to its board of Directors.

Claire joined the firm in 2020 having qualified as an Advocate in 2015.  Claire specialises in family law including handling divorces, child contact, residence and maintenance issues.  She has significant experience in the financial aspects of separation including complex cases where assets include trusts and businesses.

Claire commented that she is looking forward to the new challenge adding “I am delighted to join Andrew Bridson and Richard Halsall as a Director of BridsonHalsall. I am excited to take on this new role and the opportunities it will bring. I hope to continue to build upon the great work we do at BridsonHalsall and to help support the Manx public with their legal matters as a team”.

Richard Halsall, Director, commented “We are extremely pleased to welcome Claire to the board of Directors.  Claire is an excellent respected Advocate and will strengthen our board”.

Today we are showing our support for Victim Support Isle of Man by fundraising for their charity and taking part in their Dress in Yellow Day.

Visit the link to donate to Victim Support Isle of Man.