UK Haulage Company with Clandestine Entrant Civil Penalties Reduced by £30,000.00 and Full Costs Awarded by the Court

Millicent Dooher represented this UK based haulier following the imposition of civil penalties following the discovery of 3 clandestine entrants in one of the Company vehicles. The penalties were set at £18,000 for both the Company and £18,000 for the Driver, with a total liability of £36,000.

The appeal was lodged on the basis that the Company had fully complied with the Regulations; they were also entitled to a further reduction on a means basis due to the Company size and the Driver was entitled to a reduction on a means basis due to his income.

Prior to the hearing, Border Force accepted that the Company had fully complied with the Regulations and were entitled to a means assessment. The Driver was also entitled to a reduction on a means basis.

Overall, there was a reduction of almost £30,000.00 to the total penalties. The Court ruled on the issue of costs and awarded the haulage company their full costs in brining the appeal.