Wharf Life sits down with Zahira Razaq at the firm’s Harbour Exchange branch on the Isle Of Dogs to talk justice, advice and guidance for businesses
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“I’d always been attracted to the law because of my parents’ belief in equality and justice,” said Zahira Razaq.
“I absorbed their advice about finding a career in something like finance, law or medicine – one of the professions.
“It’s very hard to get a job in the law when you’re starting out and it just so happened my first job was as a paralegal working in immigration.
“I didn’t think there was much to this particular area before that, but when I got into it, I could see the impact the work has.
“It’s about helping to change people’s lives for the better.”
It was those first experiences that set Zahira on her path, progressing in the profession to become a trainee solicitor after six months and then a solicitor.
This year will be her eighth in the legal world, having joined the immigration team at Kidd Rapinet Solicitors’ Canary Wharf branch at Harbour Exchange in August.
You don’t have to sit with her for long to understand that her passion for the work burns fiercely.
a passion for immigration
“I’m old-school when it comes to hard work – I come in first thing to do my research because I never want to be the person giving bad advice – I always go above and beyond for my clients,” said Zahira.
“It’s my responsibility to prepare for everything and to be honest.
“I’m always upfront to the point that if I don’t see any merit in a client’s case then I won’t pursue it and waste their funds.
“I understand money is hard to earn and, if someone is in a position where they are struggling to pay for legal representation, it’s essential they get the very best service possible.
“Often my job is about changing a judge’s mind after the Home Office has turned down an application by showing how a client meets the criteria on compassionate grounds.
“I think it was really seeing the effect on clients that drew me deeper into this area of the law.
“There was one man who had five kids and was the sole breadwinner for his family.
“He was doing every kind of job available just to support them.
“I referred him to the British Red Cross and food banks just to help him survive.
“We went back and forth with the Home Office for ages, but eventually I managed to get him leave to remain.
“Seeing the gratitude on the faces of his family was amazing.
“It gave him a lot of security and was a whole new start for them. I’m not sure what would have happend to them had we not succeeded.
“The satisfaction of doing things like that is what makes the job so worthwhile – you can’t really measure it.
“It’s about fighting for justice and equality.
“I hate things that are unfair with a passion.
“What I want for myself is what I want for everybody else – situations where someone’s liberty has been taken from them or they’ve been denied justice without a fair hearing really get to me.”
services at Kidd Rapinet Solicitors
Kidd Rapinet offers a comprehensive selection of immigration services for individuals and businesses from its base on the Isle Of Dogs, apt perhaps given the area’s history as a locus of international trade.
“We’re a one-stop-shop for people or companies who want to talk about immigration in any context,” said Zahira.
“A very hot topic is compliance – not all organisations understand things like work visas and right-to-work checks but there can be substantial penalties for those in breach of the rules.
“One of the things I’m especially keen to do here is to reach out to businesses and universities – students will have the qualifications to become skilled workers, but they need the work experience to go with that.
“Businesses often hire students because they are cost effective and can be moulded to specific roles, but a failure to do the right-to-work checks could see firms liable for fines for anyone employed illegally.”
The law is crucial when it comes to immigration.
It establishes whether those who come to this country through both legal and illegal routes can legitimately stay here, for how long and what they are allowed to do while resident.
“It’s always going to be a hot political topic,” said Zahira.
“Governments tighten rules for businesses and educational organisations to bring legal migration down.
“I would advise any migrant coming to the UK, either as a student or on a work visa, to try to obtain legal advice first.
“We can talk to them about how to remain after completing their studies and advise businesses and individuals on compliance when it comes to being employed and employing those from overseas.
“You want a solicitor who knows the law and who will be willing to fight your case if that becomes necessary.
“It’s very important because migrants contribute a lot to the UK economy. Many of my clients have really well paid jobs – that’s true of students who want to remain here after studying too.
“Immigration is an ever-changing field within the law and one that’s not just about what’s in the rules and regulations, but an area that’s based on arguments from other cases that apply to individual situations.”
for those seeking advice
The team at Canary Wharf has more than 25 years of experience helping people and businsses with immigration issues.
These include those who wish to visit or stay in the UK as a partner or child, a student, an investor, an innovator or to work at or start a company.
The firm can also help with permanent residence, indefinite leave to remain, British citizenship and UK Passport applications.
“Whatever issue it is, regarding immigration, then come and talk to us,” said Zahira. “We’ll be able to tell you whether we can help with your case.”
key details: Kidd Rapinet Solicitors
Kidd Rapinet Solicitors offers a wide range of legal services through its Canary Wharf branch based at Harbour Exchange on the Isle Of Dogs.
The firm’s expertise include immigration, conveyancing, wills and probate, employment law, commercial property, family law and an extensive list of services for businesses of all sizes.
Kidd Rapinet offers free, no obligation phone consultations with lawyers on immigration matters. Call 020 7205 2115.
Find out more about the firm’s services here
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