Civil Penalty Under Immigration Act

If your business has received a Civil Penalty under the Immigration Act, it is important to seek legal advice early on the appeal options open to you, to avoid delays and improve your chances of making a successful challenge.

What is a Civil Penalty under the Immigration Act?

All UK employers must by law – under Section 15 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 – ensure all employees have relevant permissions to work lawfully in the UK by conducting effective Right to Work checks. Through the civil penalty regime, UKVI ensures employers are compliant with the immigration rules.

Where businesses are found to be in breach of their immigration duties, a civil penalty for illegal employment may be served – up to £20,000 per breach.

The Impact of a Civil Penalty Notice can be far-reaching 

As well as the obligation to pay a hefty fine, a civil penalty for illegal employment may result in:

• Criminal prosecution
• Enforced debt action
• County Court judgment
• Tier 2 Sponsor Licence revocation
• Adverse impact on the ability to obtain future credit
• Disqualification of company directors
• Inclusion on the Home Office’s civil penalty offender list
• Bad press, reputational harm and a resulting hit on profits
• Business forced to cease trading

Objecting to a Civil Penalty for Illegal Employment 

If your business has been served a civil penalty under the Immigration Act, you may wish to consider your options to challenge the fine, to limit the financial, operational and reputational impact.

The appeals process is, however, complex, and you have a limited amount of time to weigh up the pros and cons and make a decision based on the options open to you.

The Home Office has the power to increase the level of the original penalty at the appeal stage – so it is important to proceed with an objection only where you are confident in the merit of your challenge following professional advice.

To contact one of our Immigration Solicitors or Immigration Barristers please complete our online Enquiry form and we will get in touch or call us now on 01206500181.