Diana Baxter, Partner
“Diana Baxter has in-depth knowledge of a wide range of immigration issues, including nationality law. She is praised for being ‘very hard-working with a high level of attention to detail’.” – Chambers and Partners, 2019
“A ‘lateral and creative thinker’, ‘combines compassion, intellect and tactical nous’ and is ‘particularly good on complex nationality cases, as well as family cases involving children’.” – Legal 500, 2019
“Words cannot express the gratitude for all of the hard work that you and the team have done. I am so grateful, you all have made a significant difference to our lives. You made what seemed impossible possible again.” – Client
“Thank you so much! From the beginning and throughout I have felt confident that I was in very capable hands. You have advised me during the whole process with great attention to every detail, ensuring a successful outcome. Over and above that, I am very happy to have met you and I have tremendous respect for the work you do. You make a tangible difference in people’s lives.” – Client
“among the most experienced and knowledgeable lawyers dealing with international surrogacy cases” – Legal 500 2018
Diana is a partner at Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP. She is ranked as a leading immigration lawyer by Chambers UK 2019 and as a “Next Generation Lawyer” by the Legal 500 2019.
Diana’s practice covers a wide range of immigration, nationality and asylum law, with particular emphasis on complex nationality work and Appendix FM applications for partners, children and parents, as well as applications outside of the immigration rules based on Article 8 rights.
Recent work and notable cases
- Regular Appendix FM and European free movement law applications on behalf of couples, children, parents, and elderly relatives.
- Advice and assistance with applications for all tiers of the Points-Based System, including for Tier 2 sponsors and employees, Tier 1 (General) and Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent).
- Assisted several applicants in the theatre and circus industry with applications for endorsement as Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) migrants.
- Assisted on a probono basis for the ground-breaking charity Safe Passage with the successful reunion of unaccompanied minors in Calais and Greece with their UK-based family members, including a successful discretionary take charge request for a vulnerable minor under Article 17 of the Dublin III Regulations.
- Assisted victims of transnational spouse abandonment to return to the UK, reunite with their children, and acquire indefinite leave on the basis of domestic violence.
- Regularly instructed by local authorities and families to assist with complex nationality and immigration applications for children and young persons.
- Successful entry clearance application for orphan to join her UK family members on the basis of serious and compelling family considerations.
- Successful applications to naturalise as British citizens for Windrush applicants.
- Representing British citizens and their family members who are being considered for deprivation of citizenship.
- Asylum applications and appeals on behalf of refugees from Iran, the Gambia, Syria, Pakistan, Uganda, Kenya and Jamaica.
Publications and training
- Tutor of ILPA course “It’s all about the Money: Appendix FM&SE – the Financial requirements”.
- Tutor of ILPA course on Appendix FM family migration.
- Tutor of ILPA course on “Nationality law is fun”.
- Co-convenor with PRCBC of workshops on children’s citizenship applications.
Memberships and volunteering
- Member of Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA).
- Member of the 2017 Justice Working Party on Immigration and Asylum (Determination Reform).
- Volunteer solicitor at the Project for Registration of Children as British Citizens (PRCBC), assisting children and young persons with applications to register as British citizens.
- Volunteer in Athens, Greece, May 2017 in the pilot stage of ILPA’s Athens Refugee Legal Support Project.
Education and experience
- BA (Hons) in Chinese Studies (First class), University of Oxford.
- MSc in Development Studies (Distinction), London School of Economics and Political Science.
- Graduate Diploma in Law (Distinction), BPP.
- Legal Practice Course (Distinction), College of Law.
- Further studies at Beijing University, Beijing Language and Culture University, and University of California, San Diego (UCSD).
- Joined Wesley Gryk Solicitors LLP in 2008 and qualified as a solicitor in 2012. Partner since 2017.
“Diana Baxter has in-depth knowledge of a wide range of immigration issues, including nationality law. She is praised for being ‘very hard-working with a high level of attention to detail’.” – Chambers and Partners, 2019
“A ‘lateral and creative thinker’, ‘combines compassion, intellect and tactical nous’ and is ‘particularly good on complex nationality cases, as well as family cases involving children’.” – Legal 500, 2019
“Words cannot express the gratitude for all of the hard work that you and the team have done. I am so grateful, you all have made a significant difference to our lives. You made what seemed impossible possible again.” – Client
“Thank you so much! From the beginning and throughout I have felt confident that I was in very capable hands. You have advised me during the whole process with great attention to every detail, ensuring a successful outcome. Over and above that, I am very happy to have met you and I have tremendous respect for the work you do. You make a tangible difference in people’s lives.” – Client
“among the most experienced and knowledgeable lawyers dealing with international surrogacy cases” – Legal 500 2018
