One Pump Court’s Allan Briddock and the immigration team at Osborne Clarke successfully represented a large construction company in an appeal against a civil penalty issued by the Home Office for alleged illegal employment.

The penalty followed the arrest of an individual who claimed that he worked for the company. In response to a Home Office information request, the company carried out extensive checks of its records and provided a detailed response confirming that there was no trace of the individual having worked for the company.

Despite this, the Home Office issued a civil penalty and maintained its decision following the company’s objection, requiring the company to appeal. Evidence disclosed by the Home Office during the appeal revealed that the individual had not been asked where he worked, despite the company operating more than 30 sites at any one time.

The Home Office ultimately conceded that the appeal should be allowed and agreed to pay the company’s costs.

Allan was instructed by Osborne Clarke and worked alongside Gavin Jones (Head of Immigration) and Helga Butler (Immigration Manager).