A landmark practitioner-led training initiative is helping to shape the future of immigration and asylum law in Wales — widening access to specialist legal education while creating new pathways into one of the UK’s most socially impactful areas of practice.
A pioneering programme designed to strengthen Wales’ future legal workforce is set to expand in 2026 following a successful first year supporting students and early-career professionals across the country.
Delivered by specialist business and sport immigration practice Newfields, in partnership with the Welsh Government, the Newfields Immigration Academy equips participants with practical knowledge, professional confidence, and clear career pathways in UK immigration law, as Sam Bass, Partner at Newfields and Academy Contract Manager, explains:
“The response to this year’s Academy shows just how much appetite there is across Wales for practical, meaningful immigration law training. Our goal has always been to open doors for people who want to make a difference, and it’s incredibly rewarding to see the Academy becoming a genuine route into the sector. We’re proud to be building something that strengthens both opportunity and access to justice in Wales.”
Bridging a gap in legal education
Immigration law remains one of the fastest-changing and socially impactful areas of legal practice in the UK. Yet relatively few universities offer it as part of an undergraduate law degree.
Recognising this gap, Newfields developed the Immigration Academy to make immigration law more accessible, better understood, and grounded in real-world practice.
Following its first year working exclusively with Welsh universities, the Academy will expand in 2026 to include colleges and third-sector organisations — a significant step forward in widening access to high-quality legal education.
Since its launch on 28 January 2026, the Academy has received more than 180 sign-ups, representing a diverse cohort drawn from universities, the third sector, and legal practice.
From learning to lived legal practice
The practitioner-led structure of the Academy enables participants to engage directly with real casework scenarios, ethical challenges, and procedural complexities central to immigration practice.
This year, 20 graduates will be selected to attend office-based placements, with a 12-month contract available to one successful attendee.
Building on strong demand, placement capacity will double in 2026 from ten to twenty participants, delivered across two groups to broaden opportunity while maintaining close supervision and mentoring.
Plans are also underway to introduce a one-day condensed Immigration Law Summer School for higher education institutions across North, Mid, and South Wales, further extending the Academy’s reach.
Recognising achievement & strengthening partnerships
A key milestone in the Academy’s development was its inaugural Celebration Ceremony, held at Welsh Government offices on 18 September 2025. Graduates and placement attendees were recognised in a ceremony led by Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Jane Hutt MS alongside Newfields founder, Glyn Lloyd (pictured in banner).
Attended by legal professionals, third-sector representatives, and senior members of the Newfields team, the event marked both participant achievement and the Academy’s growing role within the Welsh legal landscape. Plans are in place to repeat the ceremony in September 2026.
Confidence, insight & a sense of purpose
Feedback from the Academy’s first year highlights clear demand for structured immigration law education in Wales. Many participants noted their universities did not offer equivalent modules, positioning the Academy as a vital route into immigration and asylum practice.
Participants also praised Newfields’ welcoming environment and the practical nature of placement work, which encouraged critical thinking through both independent and collaborative tasks. They said:
“I enjoyed the breadth of content covered. I was particularly fascinated by the number of visa routes available and helping someone choose the best route… The course gave me insight into ethical challenges within society and improved my commercial awareness of organisations supporting the justice system.”
“Learning from experienced practitioners gave me in-depth knowledge and practical skills in handling different cases… It was a fantastic introduction that significantly improved my understanding of immigration law.”
A distinctive initiative for Wales
Through expanded capacity, strengthened partnerships, and innovative delivery, the Newfields Immigration Academy continues to evolve as a distinctive educational initiative within Wales.
By widening access to specialist training and supporting career pathways into immigration and asylum law, the Academy is helping to build a more resilient legal sector while strengthening access to justice across Welsh communities.
Further information
For more information on the Newfields Immigration Academy, click here.