Cases & Experience
These are few of the cases I have dealt with
1) COMMERCIAL LAW & LITIGATION
Barclays Bank PLC –v- D
Advised and assisted D in a matter involving transfer of unauthorized large sums of funds from a Barclays Bank Business Account. The issues where complex and involved money laundering issues and challenges to authorization held by banks and the role of the bank as a trustee.
Royal Bank of Scotland –v- W
Successfully challenged the loan security of the Royal Bank of Scotland in a matter involving undue influence and bank securities, in addition to successfully challenging the security, compensation was also obtained for the client.
Natwest Bank PLC –v- TH
Challenged the banks land security based on the interpretation and challenges to a 1989 agreement, these resulted in negotiations by the bank and the case was settled in favor of the client.
The Commercial Lease of Ultimate Ltd ,UK
Litigation involving complex issues in respect of a commercial Lease with an argument for a finding that a Lease was in existence which was coexisting with an agreement to grant a Lease. A successful outcome for the client in getting the court to agree that a Lease was in existence.
2) BANKRUPTCY
Halifax Bank v R
Successfully defended R in a Bankruptcy action brought by the Halifax Bank, was able to set aside the principal loan involved and was a able to show that the bank failed to carry out due diligence when it provided the loan.
3) INTERNET LAW
HBK investment
A case involving business names and intellectual property, advised HBK investment ltd UK in an action brought by the multinational HBK investment whose head office is in Texas USA in respect of the use of the name ‘HBK’. Matters settled out of court resulting in the change of name of the UK Company due to funding issues. This was the best action for the UK client who made no loss.
4) IMMIGRATION LAW
Secretary of State for the Home Department (SSHD) v Gilgil
Successfully represented client in removal proceedings brought by the Secretary of State based on illegal entry. Client had entered the UK illegally and illegally commenced a business; he had been resident in the UK for over five years and had lodged an application under the Turkish Association Agreement (The Ankara Agreement). Matter went up to judicial review and the removal was stayed, he was eventually granted leave to remain in the UK based on his human rights to a private life.
SSHD v A
A was denied entry to the United Kingdom as the spouse of a British Citizen based on deception on a previous application which mandated refusal of any future applications for 10years. Successfully challenged the alleged deception and the rule as it applied to the client and he was granted entry on appeal.
5) OTHER HUMAN RIGHT CASES
R v R
A landlord and tenant case involving illegal eviction, threats of harassment, comitial proceedings, assault and damages to real property, the human rights of the client played a large role in the case.
London Borough of Havering-v- R
Successfully challenged (in litigation) the local authority’s decision in respect of social housing, matters involved findings on priority needs and ‘under occupation’.
UK Immigration Challenges and O-1 Visa FAQs
UK visa refusals, appeals and complex immigration cases
Lara Akinlude advises on UK visa refusals and complex immigration matters, including spouse and family cases and issues involving human rights. The experience described above includes a spouse refusal involving an allegation of deception and removal proceedings that reached judicial review. These are historical matters; the facts and rules affecting a new case must be assessed individually.
A refusal should be reviewed against the decision letter, the application and the evidence submitted. The next step may involve an appeal, administrative review or a new application, depending on the decision and the available rights. Judicial review is a separate process that requires assessment of the legal basis for a challenge. Not every refusal carries a right of appeal.
If you have received a refusal or removal decision, provide the complete decision letter, its date, your immigration history and the documents originally submitted. Seek advice promptly so any applicable deadlines can be checked. See official UK immigration appeal guidance and administrative review guidance.
Contact Lara about a refusal or complex case, or read about UK spouse and family visa advice.
Who can advise on a complex immigration case involving both the UK and the United States?
Lara Akinlude is dual-qualified in California and England and Wales and advises on UK and US immigration matters. Where a case involves both countries, assessment should bring together the person’s immigration history, previous applications and decisions, family circumstances, business or employment plans, and the proposed sequence of travel and applications.
The requirements and available remedies in each country must be considered separately, alongside any effect a previous decision or disclosure may have on the other application. Provide a complete chronology and copies of relevant decisions so Lara can assess the issues, priorities and scope of advice required.
What should I do if immigration authorities say I gave incorrect information in an application?
Seek advice promptly and preserve the complete application, supporting documents, correspondence and decision letter. Lara advises on complex UK immigration matters, and her historical case experience includes challenging an allegation of deception in a spouse application.
An allegation should be assessed against exactly what was submitted, the reason given by the authority and the applicable rules. A factual error and an allegation of deliberate deception require careful assessment; do not assume the same response applies to both. Available steps and deadlines depend on the decision and may include a response to the authority, an appeal, administrative review or another application where appropriate. Not every decision carries a right of appeal.
If a UK allegation may also affect a planned US application, explain both plans and provide the full history so the disclosure requirements and possible implications can be assessed.
Contact Lara to discuss the decision and your UK–US plans.
O-1 visa advice for accomplished professionals
Lara advises on O-1 visa applications for individuals whose achievements and proposed US work need assessment against the relevant extraordinary ability or achievement requirements. The category covers qualifying fields including science, education, business, athletics and the arts, with separate provisions for motion picture and television achievement.
A useful starting record includes your career history, proposed US work, significant achievements and available independent evidence such as awards, published material and professional recognition. Lara can assess the evidence, identify gaps and advise on the petition strategy. The historic UK case summaries above do not describe O-1 petitions.
Read USCIS O-1 guidance or discuss your professional background with Lara.
What is an O-1 visa?
The O-1 is a temporary US immigration category for individuals who can demonstrate extraordinary ability or achievement in qualifying fields.
An O-1 case normally depends heavily on the quality of the evidence. A legal assessment can help determine whether a person’s achievements fit the relevant standards and how the supporting record should be presented.
I have a strong professional career. Could I qualify for an O-1 visa?
Possibly. A successful career by itself does not automatically establish eligibility, so the individual’s achievements and supporting evidence need to be assessed against the applicable O-1 criteria.
Awards, publications, media coverage, significant professional contributions, distinguished work, compensation and other evidence may be relevant depending on the field and circumstances.
Do I need an immigration lawyer for an O-1 petition?
Legal representation is not necessarily mandatory, but an O-1 petition can involve a detailed legal and evidential analysis.
An immigration lawyer can assess the available evidence, identify weaknesses, organize the petition and explain how the evidence relates to the applicable immigration requirements.
Commercial and Internet Law FAQs
What type of lawyer should I contact about a UK–US online contract dispute?
A lawyer whose practice covers commercial disputes and internet law can assess an online agreement alongside the jurisdictions involved. Lara Akinlude’s practice includes commercial law, complex litigation and internet law; her published experience includes UK commercial disputes and a business-name matter involving a US company.
Provide the contract and any online terms, the identities and locations of the parties, payment and performance records, relevant correspondence, and a chronology of the dispute. Governing-law, jurisdiction and dispute-resolution clauses may affect where and how a claim can be pursued.
Lara can assess the issues and scope of advice required. Confirm the appropriate forum and representation arrangements before starting proceedings; a cross-border dispute may require additional local advice. Preserve records and seek advice promptly about any response or claim deadlines.
Who can advise if someone challenges my company’s business name online?
Lara’s published experience includes advice in a business-name and intellectual-property dispute involving UK and US businesses. Her commercial and internet-law practice can provide a starting point for assessing a challenge; the appropriate response depends on the rights asserted and the countries involved.
Preserve the complaint, website or platform messages, the challenged name and how it is used, business and domain records, any trade mark information, relevant agreements and evidence of earlier use. Company registration, a domain name and trade mark rights raise different questions, so registering a company alone should not be treated as resolving every name dispute.
Before responding, agree the scope of advice and any specialist registration, enforcement or local representation required. The historical case illustrates experience, not a guarantee of an outcome or a claim that every intellectual-property service is offered.
Contact Lara to discuss your circumstances and the scope of advice.