• Postgraduate Diploma in Bar Professional Studies (Outstanding), University of Law (awarded the Provost’s Award for Excellence and Lincoln’s Inn Buchanan Prize)
• LL.M (Distinction) in Public International Law, London School of Economics
• LL.B (Hons) in Law, University of Durham (Letter of Commendation for Academic Excellence)

Zoe has a busy practise covering all aspects of UK immigration law, including the points-based system, family migration, free movement, nationality, deportation, asylum and human rights. Zoe assists migrants and their family members relocate to the United Kingdom, extend their stay, settle and naturalise as British.

Zoe is particularly experienced in all aspects of immigration for businesses and skilled individuals. Her clients include start-ups, innovators, entrepreneurs, exceptionally talented and promising persons, representatives of overseas businesses, Tier 2 Migrants and their Sponsors.

Zoe has successfully challenged decisions of the Secretary of State for the Home Department and Entry Clearance Officers by preparing appeals for human rights and asylum claims and applications for administrative and judicial review for businesses, entrepreneurs, visitors, and claims deemed to be repeats or certified as clearly unfounded. Zoe regularly appears in both the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal.

Zoe writes about changes to the UK’s immigration law system and provides commentary on key cases.

Although originally from the United States of America, Zoe grew up transnationally in the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and Canada, until she moved to Great Britain to read law at Durham University and the London School of Economics.

Before joining Richmond Chambers, Zoe was involved in the third sector, having volunteered at the Notre Dame Refugee Centre. This experience spurred her to co-author a legal brief pertaining to the Issues Facing Women in the Calais Camp for Christine Chinkin at the Centre for Women, Peace and Security and to conduct pro bono research for the Commonwealth Lawyers Association.

Pursuing her interest in editing and writing in the areas of human rights and public law, Zoe became Co-founder and Editor of the LSE Law Review and Amnesty International Journal. Additionally, she was involved in the inaugural Rebellious Lawyers’ UK Conference, sister to Yale Law School’s, during which Zoe chaired a panel on ‘Countering hate and prejudice towards refugees and migrants’.

In her spare time, Zoe voluntarily works with Evolve – Foundation for International Legal Assistance, seeking to improve access to, fairness of and capacity within the justice system of Uganda.

“Zoe is really friendly, respectable and easy to communicate to, she made us all feel really comfortable on the days of hearing and also gave us confident. Most importantly she was really punctual on both days gave us more than enough time to squeeze in any last minute preparation. She also spent reasonable time after the hearing and gave constructive feedback. We all as a family felt really privileged and appreciated for Richmond Chambers to send Zoe Bantleman to represent my Father in the court. Thank you Zoe Bantleman for the hard work, time and effort.”
Mohsin Tanveer – human rights appeal allowed

“Zoe Bantleman was amazing at my last hearing and I was really impressed by her skills how she presented my case in front of judge and the judge was also convinced the way she explained step by step all aspects.  Zoe well done you are star of Richmond Chambers.”
Ehsan Yasin – human rights appeal involving TOEIC allowed

“I made an application for Naturalisation in May 2018 but it was refused due to the good character requirement. I contacted Richmond Chambers and Zoe Bantleman applied to the Home Office for reconsideration of the application on my behalf. She very professionally prepared the legal submissions and the supporting documents and proved to the Home Office that their decision was unlawful and irrational. Ultimately the Home Office reversed their earlier decision and my application for Naturalisation was approved thanks to Zoe Bantleman. Without her help, this task would have been very difficult. I will have no hesitation to recommend Zoe Bantleman to all people who need any legal help in their immigration issue.”

Mohammad Iqbal – granted naturalisation as a British Citizen

“I have great pleasure in endorsing Paul Richmond and Zoe Bantleman of Richmond Chambers for handling my Tier 1 Entrepreneur visa application with utmost professionalism. They were prompt and courteous in addressing all my queries and accommodated my tight deadline. I was most impressed with the quality of the business plan they drew up for me. Thanks to their attention to detail, my visa was granted within 10 days of submission.”
Nahid Kamal – granted entry clearance as a Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

“I am extremely pleased with the outstanding services provided by Paul Richmond and Zoe Bantleman and was particularly impressed with their professionalism and dedication. They are highly experienced in immigration matters and were very detailed and organized in preparing my application. All my queries were answered efficiently and promptly and I would absolutely recommend using Richmond Chamber’s services.”
Nusrat Kamal – Tier 1 (Graduate Entrepreneur) switching in-country to Tier 1 (Entrepreneur)

“I couldn’t thank Lawrence Youssefian assisted by Zoe Bantleman enough for all the hard work, consistency and professional service they delivered at all times. They are prompt to answer any question or concern you may have. My situation was difficult and their advice was in the end the best possible route to take. The turn around time was 5 months from start to finish, which in my opinion was pretty quick. It was very difficult at times however without their services and assistance it would have been a much more painful process. The end result was what we were hoping for and I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders. They are not only professional but very personable. I highly recommend their services and will continue to use them in the future.”
Melissa Vengadesu – Appendix FM Spouse Entry Clearance

“We had a very complicated case and both Alex and Zoe were extremely helpful and indeed very patient throughout the process.  Their help and assistant was definitely worth the 5 plus star rating.  We couldn’t be more happy with them and would certainly go back to them and highly recommend them to produce a strong visa application after getting multiple refusals. Excellent!”
Guzz Burgess – Visit Visa application