Director
Kelly Hardman
Country / Territory
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Languages
- English
Contact information
Kelly is a Director based in Edinburgh and a qualified Solicitor in Scotland, England and Wales, representing clients across all four corners of the UK. She is also a Notary Public (FCO approved) and holds prestigious membership with the WS Society as a Writer to His Majesty’s Signet ‘WS’. Prior to relocating to Scotland in 2016, she was based in Fragomen’s London office for more than five years.
Kelly leads the firm’s UK Energy Sector Group, as well as the UK Space Industry Group. With her experience and interest in these sectors, she’s adept to advising on the nuances associated with issues unique to working within UK Territorial Waters (UKTW), continental shelf (offshore) workers and seafarers in the energy, oil & gas and maritime sectors. In addition, she works closely with clients to assess workforce planning, as well as assessing appetites for commercial decisions whilst balancing compliance risk.
Kelly was personally approached to become a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-party group on Space and is an active contributor and speaker at industry events. Given the UK’s ambitious net zero targets, she also advises on the relevancy of Green Skills, specific to these rapidly growing sectors.
Education
- University of Northumbria, Master of Laws (LL.M), Advanced Legal Practice, 2013
- University of Northumbria, Legal Practice Course, PG Dip (Law), 2011
- University of Salzburg (Paris Lodron University), Diploma in Area Studies (DAS), 2010
- Ulster University, Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), honors with Criminology , 2010
More from Kelly
Awards
Pro Bono Recognition List, Law Society of England and Wales, 2024
Professional accomplishments
Legal Qualifications: Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales; Solicitor and Notary Public, Scotland
Member, The WS Society
Member, Law Society of Scotland
Member, Law Society of England and Wales
Member, Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association
Experience
Conducted comparative analysis for clients to determine quickest routes possible into EU Member States for their assignees.
Frequent speaker at internal and external events, including town halls, seminars and conferences.
Proficient in the EU ICT Enforcement Directive and Posted Worker requirements.
Advised extensively on Business Travel within EMEA, specifically genuine travel as a visitor versus need for work authorisation and Posted Worker requirements.
Coordinates firm’s largest client graduate schemes. Also experienced at providing advice on Milkround and H1B Contingency planning.
Acted on behalf of VIP clients (including actors in the film & TV industry) maintaining discretion and candour given sensitive nature of applications.
Assisted clients who had been issued international arrest warrants by liaising with criminal defence and extradition lawyers in connection with proposed travel and advising on implications/risk of travel.
Successfully assisted clients with complex and discretionary applications due to criminal convictions/adverse immigration history following PTSD diagnosis in extremely compelling and compassionate circumstances.
As part of Training contract, completed seats in Compliance & Sponsorship, Foreign & Consular Practice, assisted Partners, as well as a secondment to the International Family Law Group (IFLG).
Publications and lectures
Author, “UK offshore immigration crackdown risks stifling growth unless policy meets reality.” The Scotsman, 17 December 2025.
Speaker, “From entry to exit: immigration and tax considerations for UK business visitors.” Fragomen and Johnston Charmichael, Webinar, 1 May 2025.
Panelist, “Panel 1: Attracting & Retaining Global Talent in the Space Sector: Legal Challenges & Workforce Sustainability.” Space-Comm Expo’s Space Law Symposium, London, UK, 11 March 2025.
Author, “Right balance of workers is vital for Scotland’s future.” The Scotsman, 4 February 2025.
Author, “Decentralising Immigration Policy: Unlocking Scotland’s Economic Potential Through Regional Solutions.” Global Underwater Hub, Page 30, February 2025.
Co-author, “Prepare your global energy workforce for the second Trump administration.” Energy Voice, 21 January 2025.
Co-author, “Guide to Navigating Immigration in the UK Energy & Maritime Sector.” Fragomen, 13 November 2024.
Author, “Critical role international workers play in meeting UK energy demands.” Global Mobility Lawyer, 24 October 2024.
Speaker, “The Immigration Conversation: Immigration Considerations in the Offshore Wind Sector.” Fragomen, Podcast, 19 May 2021.
Speaker, “The UK's Post-Brexit Immigration System: Implications for Scotland”, Holyrood, Edinburgh, Scotland, January 2020.
Contributor, “A Practical Immigration System for a post Brexit Britain.” Gerwyn Davies, CIPD, September 2019.
Speaker, “Responses to Immigration White Paper Round Table” CIPD, Edinburgh & Glasgow, Scotland, August 2019.
Speaker, “Navigating Brexit.” The Recruitment & Employment Confederation workshop, Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2019.
Speaker, “Navigating Brexit.” The Recruitment & Employment Confederation workshop, Belfast, Northern Ireland, April 2019.
Kelly’s insights
March 31, 2026 | Webinar
December 17, 2025 | Media mentions
November 4, 2025 | Fragomen news
