Business Details
29 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Expert Legal Services in Richmond
Founded in 1997, Douglass Simon has established itself as a globally recognised legal practice serving clients across the UK, Europe, Africa, North America, and Asia. Our multicultural team combines decades of legal expertise with multilingual capabilities in Tagalog, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Arabic, German, Italian, and Sinhalese. Specialising in immigration, family, employment, wills, and probate law, our practitioners deliver practical, clear advice grounded in extensive courtroom experience. The firm's founder, Ms Lira Simon Cabatbat, brings over 25 years of expertise in immigration and human rights law, with a track record of successful outcomes in tribunals, judicial reviews, and high court cases. Our strategic partnerships with international legal professionals and barristers ensure comprehensive representation for both individual and corporate clients.We maintain offices in Richmond, London, and Taguig, Philippines, near the British Embassy, to better serve our multinational clientele. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our meticulous case preparation, evidenced by judicial acknowledgments of our 'most learned pleadings' and 'detailed grounds of appeal'. We offer flexible service options including fixed-fee consultations, unbundled legal services, and emergency support outside standard hours. This combination of global reach, specialist knowledge, and client-focused service has enabled us to reunite families, protect individual rights, and support business growth for over 25 years.
Services
Immigration Law
Family Law
Employment Law
Probate Services
Corporate Legal Support
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- 25+ years of combined legal expertise in immigration and human rights law
- Multilingual team serving clients in 8 languages including Tagalog and Arabic
- Judicial recognition for 'most learned pleadings' and detailed legal submissions
- Emergency legal support available outside standard office hours
- Fixed-fee initial consultations and flexible unbundled service options
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority No: 670776
What people say
Detailed grounds of appeal
Cogent legal arguments
Tenacious advocacy
Multilingual support
Judicial recognition
Services
Immigration Law
We provide comprehensive immigration solutions including visa applications, asylum claims, and deportation defence. Our specialists handle complex cases involving human rights violations, judicial reviews, and high court appeals. With multilingual support and offices in London and Manila, we assist individuals and corporations with UK entry clearance, spouse visas, and sponsorship licences. Our team's expertise in navigating immigration rules has secured successful outcomes in over 100 tribunal cases.
Family Law
Our Resolution-accredited solicitors specialise in divorce proceedings, child custody arrangements, and financial settlements. We handle international family law matters with particular expertise in cross-border divorce recognition issues. Services include drafting prenuptial agreements, representing clients in care proceedings, and obtaining injunctions for domestic violence cases. We combine legal precision with compassionate guidance during emotionally challenging situations.
Employment Law
We represent employees and employers in unfair dismissal claims, discrimination cases, and tribunal litigation. Our services cover settlement agreements, redundancy disputes, and regulatory compliance matters. With expertise in FCA regulations and professional disciplinary proceedings, we provide strategic advice on contract negotiations and workplace investigations while maintaining strict adherence to employment statutes.
Probate Services
Our probate specialists administer estates for both UK and international clients, handling will validation, asset distribution, and inheritance tax compliance. We assist with contested estates, deeds of variation, and HMRC form submissions. The team provides practical guidance on intestacy rules and offers executor support services, ensuring efficient estate administration during difficult periods.
Judicial Review
We specialise in challenging public authority decisions through judicial review proceedings. Our track record includes successful high court challenges related to immigration refusals, human rights violations, and administrative law breaches. The team prepares detailed grounds of challenge, skeleton arguments, and evidence bundles that have been praised by judges for their thoroughness and legal precision.
People
Lira Simon Cabatbat
Founder & Senior Partner
With over 25 years' experience, Ms Cabatbat specialises in immigration, human rights, and family law. Recognised for her tenacious advocacy, she has successfully represented clients in numerous high-profile tribunal cases. Fluent in Tagalog, she provides culturally informed legal strategies while maintaining Resolution membership for family law practice.
Questions
What immigration services do you offer?
We handle all aspects of UK immigration law including visa applications, asylum claims, deportation defence, and judicial reviews. Our specialists provide representation in tribunals and high court cases with multilingual support available.
Do you offer emergency legal support?
Yes, we provide emergency legal assistance outside standard office hours. Contact our Richmond office on 020 3375 0555 for urgent immigration, family law, or employment matters.
What family law services are available?
We specialise in divorce proceedings, child custody arrangements, financial settlements, and domestic violence injunctions. Our Resolution-accredited solicitors handle international family law matters with particular expertise in cross-border divorce recognition.
How are legal fees structured?
We offer fixed-fee consultations, hourly rates, and no-win-no-fee agreements where appropriate. Employers often cover legal fees for settlement agreement work. Detailed cost breakdowns provided before commencing any work.
Do you have international office locations?
Yes, we maintain offices in Richmond, London, and Taguig, Philippines, near the British Embassy. This enables us to better serve our international client base with local legal insights.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit/debit cards and bank transfers. Payment plans available for extended legal representation. Specific payment terms agreed in writing before commencing work.
Reviews (7)
Tito
Dec 28, 2021
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Went to a consultation more than a month ago (80), everything seem great and professional. Contacted (by email) the Solicitor who I had the consultation with the next day.
Waited around 2 weeks and no response. I thought it was strange to not get any kind of response so i sent another email to their main enquires email. Didn't get any kind of response from that email as well (after a few days) which was more strange since for the initial contact they replied the next day. So I called them up,
The lady that answered was very friendly and apologised for the delay and also told me that they did
Waited around 2 weeks and no response. I thought it was strange to not get any kind of response so i sent another email to their main enquires email. Didn't get any kind of response from that email as well (after a few days) which was more strange since for the initial contact they replied the next day. So I called them up,
The lady that answered was very friendly and apologised for the delay and also told me that they did
Joan Veniegas
Dec 23, 2019
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I met Mr. Khan at the free advice session in Earls Court. He was very friendly and helpful as he spent time getting to know my case and answering all of my questions. I would recommend Mr. Khan and Douglass Simon Solicitors.
Jenelyn De Venecia
Nov 19, 2019
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Mr Khan was very professional and very helpful. Provided a very excellent service and more importantly he kept us up to date and well informed throughout the process. We would highly recommend his services.
Joseph Castro
Sep 24, 2019
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Over the past years finally the long wait is over. Thanks to Mr Khan for being brilliant, you conducted our case with great level of service. You supported and helped us get through that very crucial and upsetting moment of our lives. Thank you also Ann who helped us with every update and for being an efficient Secretary of Mr Khan. We cant thank you enough and all the hard work is much appreciated.
Castro Family (immigration)
Castro Family (immigration)
Allan Macacua
Aug 12, 2019
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Mr Khan has been my Solicitor for over 10 years. I have been very pleased with his services. Mr Khan is professional and very good at his job. He is always transparent and upfront about fees and timescale and he always keeps me up to date about my case. I would strongly recommend anybody looking for Solicitors to use Mr Khan and Douglass Simon Solicitors.
Katiguia Pangadil
Jun 16, 2019
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Haroon Khan is a brilliant Solicitor. He was courteous and explained everything in detail. Most importantly he went above and beyond to get me the desired result. Mr Khan is hard working and takes a positive approach which is hard to find anywhere else. I was always kept informed about my case and the service I received was outstanding. I recommend Mr Khan and Douglass Simon Solicitors.
Teodora Cuevas
Jun 16, 2019
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Having been recommended to Douglass Simon Solicitors I couldnt be more impressed. Extremely professional and attentive. Mr Harry Khan and his team are always very helpful and they handled my case to a very high standard. Thank you for your hard work.
