The issues we have navigated.
An overview of the kinds of immigration issues we have acted on — and the forums where they are decided, on both sides of the Tasman. Organised by issue, not by client. A map of our experience, not a record of individual cases.
Matters we have acted on, by issue.
Grouped by the kind of issue at stake, with the forum that typically decides it noted against each. Filter by jurisdiction, or read across the whole range.
Character & integrity concerns
Where an application turns on character, candour, or how earlier information was presented.
Responding to a concern that information given to Immigration was false, misleading, or withheld — putting the applicant's explanation and full context before the decision-maker.
Addressing the consequences of information not disclosed in a previous application, and how that bears on the matter now at hand.
Character assessments involving convictions or pending charges, and submissions in support of a character waiver where one is available.
Preparing responses to adverse information raised by Immigration before a decision is made.
Visa refusal or cancellation engaging Australia's character provisions, and merits review of those decisions.
Health & the cost threshold
Where a medical condition affects eligibility, and whether a waiver or special direction is open.
Assessments turning on the cost or care a condition is expected to impose, and how that standard is applied.
Requests for a medical waiver, or a special direction, where the standard health requirement is not met.
Health-related refusals engaging the significant-cost threshold, and review of those decisions where a waiver is available.
Skilled migration & employment
Where the dispute is about the work itself — the occupation, the role, or the conditions around it.
Disputes over how a role is classified and whether it matches the claimed occupation in a Skilled Migrant Category application.
Assessments of skill level, qualifications and experience against the requirements for skilled residence.
Job check concerns, including the labour market test — advertising the role and demonstrating that no suitable New Zealander is available — and the genuineness of the position.
Matters turning on whether remuneration meets the applicable wage threshold for the visa sought.
Australian disputes over occupation, nomination and the underlying skills assessment, and review of refusals.
Business & investment funds
Where eligibility depends on capital and its source — and the evidence behind both.
Establishing that invested capital is genuine and lawfully sourced, with the evidence to satisfy the decision-maker.
Verification of maintenance or settlement funds, and how access to and ownership of those funds is demonstrated.
Assessments of the legitimacy and traceability of invested capital, including on review.
Relationship & family
Where the question is the nature of a relationship, or eligibility within a family category.
Partnership assessments turning on whether a relationship is genuine and stable, and the evidence of living together.
Eligibility questions within dependent child and parent pathways.
Australian partner and family visa refusals, and merits review of those decisions.
Process, delay & fairness
Where the concern is not the merits but how a decision was reached, or how long it has taken.
Complaints where a decision has been outstanding for an unreasonable period.
Concerns that a process was unfair, or that a decision was reached without proper regard to natural justice.
Official information requests, and complaints where access to a file has been refused or delayed.
Complaints about the administrative conduct of Australian immigration decision-making, including delay.
When the usual pathways are spent
Where standard options and review rights are exhausted, and intervention is the remaining route.
Requests for the Minister to intervene where review rights are spent and the circumstances are exceptional.
Requests for a visa for a person unlawfully in New Zealand, where there is no other pathway.
Restoring lawful status for those who have overstayed or whose visa has expired, and charting the route back to a valid visa.
Responding to a deportation liability notice — making submissions to Immigration and, where the matter proceeds, on appeal to the Tribunal.
Matters resting on exceptional and compelling humanitarian circumstances.
Requests for Ministerial intervention in unique or exceptional circumstances, in the public interest.
Refugee & protected person claims
Where a person seeks recognition as a refugee or protected person, and the claim turns on risk on return.
Preparing and presenting claims for recognition as a refugee or protected person at first instance, including the supporting evidence and country information.
Appeals to the Tribunal against the decline of a refugee or protected person claim, including written submissions and hearing representation.
Matters concerning the loss, cessation or cancellation of refugee or protected person status, and review of those decisions.
How we approach a matter.
Whatever the issue, the method is the same.
Understand the real issue
We identify what a decision-maker actually needs to be satisfied of — before anything is filed.
Assemble the evidence
Strong, well-organised evidence and a clear case theory, matched to the forum that will decide it.
Make the argument
Persuasive submissions and steady representation, from first instance through to review.
If your matter touches any of these issues.
Speak with a senior adviser about where your matter stands, your options, and the strongest pathway available — in complete confidence.
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