Commercial law firm Steeles Law are becoming renowned for their support of the Arts and in the latest of a number of activities have become exclusive providers of employment and immigration legal advice to the world-renowned English National Ballet.
One of the UK’s leading touring ballet companies, English National Ballet performs a host of classic productions, including The Sleeping Beauty, Manon and The Nutcracker, both in the UK and throughout the world.
Stephen Drake, Managing Principal at Steeles Law says, “We are delighted to be contributing to the development of the future of arts provision in the UK. Our connection with English National Ballet sits well with our support of other Arts organisations such as sponsorship of a number of Britten Sinfonia orchestra’s London and Norwich shows - where two of our offices are - and of Arts Universities.”
Steeles Law have from the early 00’s been specialist providers of legal advice to the Arts, Media and Music industries; creating a dedicated practice group in 2002. Now with an 11 strong team, Steeles Law are equipped to provide advice from contracts to personal injury, from privacy and reputation management to immigration laws.
English National Ballet has 67 dancers who come from 20 different countries. Some have graduated from English National Ballet School but many have trained elsewhere, their diverse backgrounds enriching the Company. It is therefore imperative for the Company to have access to sound employment and immigration legal advice.
As well as dancers English National Ballet employs 47 orchestra members and 85 full-time staff in departments including Artistic, Wardrobe, Technical, Learning and Administration. Furthermore, for performances at the Royal Albert Hall the number of dancers increases to 120.
Stephen Drake continues, “With the implementation of the new tier system for non-EU workers in November this year more and more companies are seeking employment and immigration advice.
“The existing work permit scheme is being replaced by Tier 2 of the Points Based System. The implications for employers of these changes is that from November anyone employing people in the UK wishing to extend an existing work permit or to apply for a new work permit will have to be licensed as a sponsor. Before doing so, they must ensure that they have the appropriate HR systems in place and be aware of the detailed provisions of the new scheme and its web-based sponsor management system.
“We deal with all types of immigration and nationality matters and have particular expertise in helping commercial organisations obtain the appropriate legal permission for their non-EU national employees to live and work in the UK.”
Craig Hassall, Managing Director of English National Ballet says, “27% of English National Ballet’s dancers, and a number of our musicians and other staff are from outside of the EU. We aim to employ the highest quality dancers, irrespective of their country of origin and feel that the mix of cultures within English National Ballet only adds to its diverse appeal.
“The advice we have received from Steeles in the lead-up to the new employment regulations has been vital for the success of the Company and I’m sure will continue to be equally important over the coming months and years. Steeles have been most professional and have ensured our compliance with the myriad of immigration and employment regulations has been as straightforward as possible.”
For further information regarding UK Immigration or Nationality matters contact Mark Barnett at Steeles Immigration on immigration@steeleslaw.co.uk or 020 7421 1720.
For more information about English National Ballet or Britten Sinfonia see:
www.ballet.org.uk
www.brittensinfonia.com