• Mediation and ADR Accreditation, Regent’s College 
• Bar Vocational Course, Inns of Court School of Law
• MA (Hons) (Law), Cambridge University

Geraldine (Geri) has specialised in immigration law since 1999.  With over 20 years experience, she has an established reputation for her advocacy and for her preparation of  high quality visa and immigration applications.

Geri is committed to fostering an understanding of the complexity of the procedures her clients and their families are facing, in order to advise and guide them through to a successful conclusion.  She has a particular interest in assisting those with vulnerable family members abroad.

Geri has experience in assisting with successful applications for the family members of British or settled persons (entry clearance, extension and switching applications) including:-

• Spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners;
• Fiancé/es and proposed civil partners
• Parents;
• Children, including adopted children;
• Adult dependent relatives.

She has successfully assisted EU nationals and their family members (partners, children and dependent relatives) in the following EU Settlement Scheme applications (including late applications and applications for administrative review):-

• Pre-Settled Status;
• Settled Status;
• Family Permits;
• Derivative and Retained Rights applications.

Geri has prepared successful applications in matters which include:-

• Indefinite leave to remain applications (including under the long residence provisions);
• Naturalisation applications;
• Registration for British citizenship (children and adults);
• Ancestry visa (including indefinite leave to remain under the provisions);
• Visit visa applications, including marriage and medical visit visas (initial applications and applications made after previous refusals);
• Applications for further leave to remain outside the Immigration Rules (Human Rights applications);
• Returning resident applications.

She further has specialised in assisting with applications and appeals under the European Community Association Agreement (the ECAA or ‘Ankara’ Agreement) provisions, including:

• Initial ECAA applications;
• ECAA extension applications;
• Indefinite applications for indefinite leave to remain;
• Dependents of ECAA applicants.

Before her legal studies and call to the Bar, Geri had successful careers in the theatre (as an actor and director) and in the Fine Art market.  She further served on British Actors’ Equity’s panel advising on the grants of visas to visiting foreign artists. This experience has given her a sound and sympathetic understanding of the issues facing creative artists who wish to visit or work in the UK.

Geri has appeared as an advocate at all levels of the Immigration Tribunal, in the Upper Tribunal and Administrative Court for judicial review matters and in the Court of Appeal, including emergency applications, successfully seeking to challenge decisions of the Home Office.  Her work has encompassed applicants from every continent in asylum and human rights appeals, and all matters relating to immigration law including deportation, entry clearance, variation/extension of leave, and bail.  She also has frequently advised on multi-jurisdictional family matters.  As a Master of the Bench at Middle Temple, she teaches advocacy and is committed to the training of student barristers.

Geri accepts instructions on a direct access basis from individuals and businesses in addition to those from solicitors and OISC regulated representatives.

Geri is an active participant in the Middle Temple pupil’s advocacy training programme.  She is an experienced speaker and lecturer before fellow professionals and at universities and secondary schools as part of her commitment to encouraging and increasing diversity at the Bar.  She has given presentations on Immigration, Human Rights and Fine Art Law at Cumberland Lodge, and has taught case preparation to pupil barristers.  She has extensive experience in providing professional legal training in Immigration, Asylum and Human Rights law.

Conversational French

“What a pleasure it was to work with them on my family matter! An extremely professional firm which makes its clients its biggest priority via its great staff. I had the pleasure of having Geri Peterson to work with on the case and she was so helpful. I recommend this firm very strongly for advice around and further work on any immigration issue(s).”
Morgwn – granted entry to the UK

“Geraldine Peterson has been a great help during the most difficult time of my life. My Case involved EEA family permit for my Son and my case was very difficult. Without Geri and Alex help I would have not been able to get the successful result and now finally I am with my son, don’t have enough words to Thank Geri.”
Neetu Singh – granted an EEA family permit

“Geraldine Peterson, my barrister at Richmond Chambers was my saviour! And guiding light: She … helped with all the documents and instruction I needed to secure my safe and continued passage. Ms Peterson was also a friend, always available, and consistently reassuring …”
Elizabeth Watson – granted leave to enter the UK as an actress