Immigration law committee FACT FILE

CHAIRWOMANMaria Fernandes is a former barrister who now practises as a solicitor and is a Law Society Council member.

She has practised immigration exclusively for more than 16 years, representing clients ranging from business related to individual applicants.

She serves on a number of key panels established by the Department for Education and Employment, the Home Office and the Foreign Office relating to this area of law.

Ms Fernandes has lectured and written widely on all aspects of immigration.As an East African Asian herself, with first- hand experience of the immigration system, Ms Fernandes actively seeks to reform outdated and unfair practices.

Having worked in the City for several years specialising in business- related immigration law, she set up a sole niche practice providing advice, assistance and representation.

In addition to chairing the immigration law committee, she is also chairwoman of the Central and South Middlesex Law Society immigration committee.

Ms Fernandes is a member of the Law Society's newly established immigration law panel.

COMMITTEE MEMBERSRuth Bundey, Harrison Bundey, LeedsMick Chatwin, freelance solicitor, LondonAndrew Holroyd, Law Society Council member, Jackson & Canter, LiverpoolGulay Mehmet, Penningtons Solicitors, LondonMark Phillips, Tyndallwoods, BirminghamManjit Singh, Kilty Goldfarb & Singh Solicitors, LeicesterAlison Stanley (vice chairwoman), Bindman & Partners, LondonBarry Stoyle, The Refugee Legal Centre, LondonKaren Sturtivant, Sturtivant & Co, LondonOBSERVERSLarry Grant, immigration adjudicator, LondonDavid Jefferson, immigration adjudicator, LondonSusan Rowland, ILPA, LondonSehba Haroon Storey, chief asylum support adjudicator, LondonDavid Webb, DJ Webb & Co, London, chief assessor of the Law Society's immigration law panel