Civil penalties

A Civil Penalty system was introduced in February 2008 under Section 15 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 to tackle illegal migrant workers in the UK. If an employer is found guilty of employing illegal migrant workers, the employer could face a fine of up to £10,000.00 per illegal worker.

If the UK Border Agency carries out an enforcement or compliance visit and suspects an employer has been employing illegal migrant workers, they will issue a Notification of Potential Liability (NOPL). The UK Border Agency would then consider whether or not they will issue the employer with a Notification of Liability (NOL) and a Civil Penalty.

If you have had a visit from the UK Border Agency and have received a Notification of Potential Liability, you should obtain legal advice as soon as possible. We have experience in representing business to object or appeal against a Civil Penalty issued under Section 15 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

For more serious offences, employers could face criminal charges for knowingly and deliberately employing illegal migrant workers and could face up to 2 years imprisonment and/or a fine.