Welcome to A & M Solicitors Limited

Criminal Defence & Immigration Solicitors You Can Trust

Specialists in serious crime and immigration law in Preston — from police station advice to Crown Court advocacy, and from visa applications to appeals across England and Wales.

ABOUT A & M

Criminal defence & immigrationadvice you can trust

Based in the heart of Preston, A & M Solicitors Ltd provides clients with access to the criminal justice and immigration systems — with the skill and experience your case deserves.

A & M Solicitors — specialist criminal defence and immigration advice

OUR SERVICES

Trusted legal servicesfor crime & immigration

From criminal investigations and proceedings to immigration applications and appeals — our SRA-regulated team provides clear, practical advice at every stage.

Immigration Applications

Immigration Application Solicitors The UKs Immigration Law and System is highly complex and we understand that importance of the family, economic, educational and social implications of applications and appeals within the Immigration System. We are able to provide advice, assistance and representation for those seeking to enter or remain in the UK. For details of our immigration pricing please click here. Our Immigration Team has experience in dealing with all types of immigration applications including, but not limited to, the following: Asylum Applications Detention and Bail Deportation Domestic Violence European Economic Area Applications Family Applications Family Life (10 Year Route) Human Rights Illegal Immigrants and Overstayers Indefinite Leave to Remain Long Residence Nationality Overseas Adoptions Spouse Visa Visitors Visa Work Permit Applications

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Immigration Appeals

Immigration Appeals If you wish to appeal against an immigration decision or refusal of a visa we can advise you as to whether or not you will have a right of appeal against that decision to the First Tier Tribunal. You will have just 14 days to appeal if you are in the UK and 28 days if you are outside the UK. We can provide you with the timely and expert advice you need as to whether you are entitled to appeal and whether your case has merit. We can complete and file the relevant documentation as well as advise as to the additional documentary evidence your case will require together with drafting witness statements and providing representation before the Tribunal. Prepared to the Highest Standard If you wish to appeal against a decision of the First Tier Tribunal then we can advise as to whether there are grounds and merit in appealing that decision to the Upper Tribunal. We can lodge your application for permission to appeal, however the same time limits apply: 14 days if you are in the UK and 28 days if you are outside the UK. We can ensure that your case is prepared and presented before the Tribunal to the highest standard.

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Criminal Investigations

We provide advice and assistance to suspects of criminal investigations 24 hours a day 365 days a year. If you are under arrest and taken to a police station to be interviewed in relation to a criminal allegation you will be asked whether you would like a Solicitor. This is your right and is free of charge regardless of your financial circumstances. Criminal Law can be complex and cases can be won or lost at the police station and the importance of advice you can trust at an early stage is fundamental. If you request A & M Solicitors Ltd when you are asked whether you would like a Solicitor we can ensure that your case gets off to the best possible start. Legal Advice is at Hand It is becoming increasingly common for the police, rather than arresting a suspect, to invite them to the police station to be interviewed as a volunteer. It is important to understand that the implications of the interview are equally as significant as if you are arrested. If you are asked to attend the police station as a volunteer you are still entitled to free and independent legal advice. If you have been invited to attend such an interview please contact us in advance in order that you can arrive at the police station in the knowledge that legal advice will be at hand. Although this service is principally provided throughout Lancashire, due to obvious time limitations, we are able to provide this service throughout England and Wales. Sometimes investigations are undertaken by bodies other than the police such as Local Councils, the Department for Work and Pensions, Trading Standards. Where such bodies do not have a power of arrest legal aid may not be available, however the interviews that they undertake with suspects are of equal significance to those undertaken at the police station. We have a wide range of experience of such interviews and are able to advise and assist you, with legal aid where available or at competitive rates.

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OUR TEAM

Meet the solicitorsbehind your case

20+ years

Ian Anderson

Managing Director

Ian Anderson is the Director and Senior Immigration Advisor at A & M Solicitors Limited. With more than 20 years’ experience in UK immigration law, Ian Anderson provides clear, practical advice and representation across visas, settlement, nationality, human rights and complex casework.

As an OISC-regulated immigration adviser, Ian Anderson undertakes specialist casework and advocacy — including Immigration Tribunal appeals and administrative reviews — and is known for combining professional expertise with genuine care for clients and their families.

Whether you need help with a family or work visa, settlement, nationality, sponsor licensing, or a refused application, Ian Anderson and the team at A & M Solicitors Limited will guide you from first instruction through to completion.

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Bal is a Director of our company as well as a qualified Solicitor on the Duty Solicitor Rota for Preston, Chorley, Ormskirk, South Ribble and Leyland.  He is one of the most sought after practitioners in his field and he is regularly involved in cases of the utmost severity and complexity. Bal specialises in defending those charged with serious criminal offences throughout the country. He has considerable experience in defending allegations of MTIC fraud, murder, human trafficking, serious sexual offences, conspiracy allegations, supply and importation of drugs, firearm offences and money laundering.  

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John Didsbury

Consultant Solicitor

John is a qualified Criminal Solicitor on the Duty Solicitor Rota for Preston, Chorley, Ormskirk, South Ribble and Leyland. John qualified as a Solicitor in 1984 and has worked exclusively in the field of criminal litigation building a wealth of experience in dealing with all aspects of crime. John specialises in complex case work involving multi-handed white collar fraud, drugs conspiracies and money laundering. 

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Shaun Finnigan

Consultant Solicitor

Shaun is a qualified Criminal Solicitor on the Duty Solicitor Rota for Preston, Chorley, Ormskirk, South Ribble and Leyland. Shaun defends in all types of criminal cases and has gained a reputation amongst clients for providing a high level of commitment to securing the best possible outcome to their case. Shaun also specialises in motoring offences and has a thorough understanding of technical defences involved with offences such as drink driving, drug driving and failing to provide a specimen for analysis. Shaun is also a Higher Court Advocate in Criminal Proceedings able to represent before the Crown Court.

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TESTIMONIALS

What our happy clientssay about our service

5.0

A & M Solicitors Limited guided us through our spouse visa application from start to finish. They explained every step clearly, kept us updated throughout, and our visa was approved without any issues. Highly professional, responsive and genuinely caring — we would recommend A & M Solicitors Limited to anyone.

SM

Sarah Mitchell

14 January 2026

5.0

A & M Solicitors Limited was a beacon of hope for my wife and me when my immigration process became too difficult for us to handle. Not only did they meticulously help us through every step of the process, their professionalism, patience and follow ups offered emotional support to both my wife and me. We are eternally grateful for their service and recommend A & M Solicitors Limited without reservation.

ME

Manuel Escamilla

3 August 2024

5.0

I am writing to thank A & M Solicitors Limited for their services as I found them excellent with my wife's Further Leave to Remain, Indefinite Leave to Remain and British Citizenship. I found them easy to contact if I had any questions or worries and their rates were very reasonable. I will be very happy to recommend A & M Solicitors Limited to anyone who asks.

MJ

M Jenkins

21 September 2024

5.0

A & M Solicitors Limited was a great help when it came to renewing my residency permit. They kept me up to date with everything that was going on and any correspondence with the Home Office. The service I received was great and much appreciated and their constant communication with me made me feel at ease. I will definitely be using A & M Solicitors Limited again when I have to renew my visa.

S.

S.C.

8 January 2025

5.0

The school were put in touch with A & M Solicitors Limited to help with the process involved in granting a Tier 2 (General) sponsorship for a member of staff. I cannot recommend them more highly in their approach. They were extremely professional, calm and patient! They went out of their way to explain the process step by step.

SM

Sarah P, HR Manager

19 March 2025

5.0

We were lucky to have found A & M Solicitors Limited. The team was very helpful with our immigration process and their efforts and professionalism helped us achieve our most important goal, which was being together and building a future as a family. We always felt they were at our side every step of the way.

RB

Rob and Quita B

2 May 2025

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Answers to the questionsyou ask us most often

CONTACT US

Need legal advice?Request a callback today

To speak to an A & M solicitor about crime or immigration, call 01772 888700. Or fill out the form below.