Halcyon Chambers

10/06/2026

Emma-Justine Michaux drafts article - Permission is now required to appeal decisions of Lay Justices: is this a sensible reform or an unwelcome impediment?

20/05/2026

Another Home Office win for Counsel Tony Muman.

Counsel Tony Muman appeared on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Home Department in a Civil Penalties appeal today in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.

The case concerned the question of whether the worker had the right to work in a supplementary employment role with a second employer and also for the type of work he was doing. In part, the issue turned on the intricacies of being a chef versus being a cook.

In dismissing the appeal, His Honour Judge Thomas observed that it is right that the civil penalty was punitive in nature, that the Home Office was right to issue one in these circumstances, and that the Home Office were right to set it at £40,000 in part for a wider deterrent message to be sent. HHJ Thomas also ordered the Employer to pay the Home Office costs in full.

Tony Muman acted for the Home Office instructed by Danielle Cavannagh and the excellent team at Keoghs Solicitors. Tony is an expert in civil penalty cases and acts for both Home Office and Employers.

  Counsel Tony Muman appeared on behalf of the Secretary of State for the Home Department in a Civil Penalties appeal today in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. The case concerned the question of whether the worker had the right to work in a supplementary employment role with a second employer and also for the ...

05/05/2026

Halcyon Chambers are delighted to announce that Simon Haywood has joined Chambers from a well-known Chambers in Birmingham.

Called to the Bar in 2024, Simon will continue to accept instructions across all areas of Civil and Commercial Law.

To instruct Simon, please contact the clerks on 0121 237 6035 or by email at [email protected]

  We are delighted to announce that Simon Haywood has joined Chambers from a well-known Chambers in Birmingham. Called to the Bar in 2024, Simon will continue to accept instructions across all areas of Civil and Commercial Law. To instruct Simon, please contact the clerks on 0121 237 6035 or by ema...

02/04/2026

Happy Easter from everyone at Halcyon Chambers.

01/04/2026

Pupillage Announcement

Halcyon Chambers is pleased to announce that Emma-Justine Michaux has started her Second Six Pupillage today under the supervision of Katie Wilkinson.

Emma-Justine accepts instructions across Civil, Family, and Immigration law and all enquiries should be directed to the Clerks on 0121 237 6035 or by email: [email protected].

20/03/2026

Eid Mubarak to everyone celebrating today.

May this special day bring peace, happiness, and endless blessings to you and your loved ones.

03/02/2026

Emma-Justine Michaux drafts article - Vehicle Control Services Ltd v Langley [2026] EWCC 1 – Supervision and Assisting in the Conduct of Litigation

Article by Emma-Justine Michaux The County Court judgment in Vehicle Control Services Ltd v Langley [2026] EWCC 1 squarely confronts an issue that has been bubbling under the surface of civil litigation for years: whether non-qualified advocates, commonly referred to as “solicitor agents”, are e...

27/01/2026

Tony Muman successfully defends Home Office in £40,000 illegal worker fine.

In a ruling yesterday, HHJ Ralton sitting at the County Court in Bristol dismissed the Employer’s appeal against a £40,000 Civil Penalty Notice, rejecting claims that the Employer had not employed an illegal worker or that the amount of the penalty was too high. HHJ Ralton agreed wholly with Tony Muman’s submission and stated that it was quite extraordinary how the Employer presented a different case under cross-examination to the case presented to the Home Office and to the Court all the way. He agreed with Tony Muman’s submission that the Employer had made up oral evidence to explain the illegal worker’s presence at the business premises. HHJ Ralton also ordered the Employer to pay the Home Office costs in full.

Tony Muman acted for the Home Office instructed by Lauren Pritchard and the excellent team at Keoghs Solicitors.

Tony is an expert in civil penalty cases and acts for both Home Office and Employers.

  In a ruling yesterday, HHJ Ralton sitting at the County Court in Bristol dismissed the Employer’s appeal against a £40,000 Civil Penalty Notice, rejecting claims that the Employer had not employed an illegal worker or that the amount of the penalty was too high. HHJ Ralton agreed wholly with T...

31/12/2025

FD v SSHD [2025] EWHC 3291 (Admin)

Most Christmas movies involve the familiar plot where a family member overcomes a series of obstacles to return home in time for the holidays to be welcomed into the warmth of the family home, the bosom of family and friends, and the bounty of plentiful home cooked food. This is said to embody the Christmas spirit. Right on cue then comes FD’s case, which it seems was made for the season. Tony Muman of Halcyon Chambers led by Manjit Gill KC, and assisted by pupil Emma-Justine Michaux, was instructed by Sanjeev Sharma at J M Wilson Solicitors.

The Plot

FD, a Jamaican national, came to the UK in 1993 aged 28. In 1998 he was granted Indefinite Leave to Remain (“ILR”). Like many descendants of the Windrush generation, he did not apply for citizenship. In 2025 and in celebration of his 60th birthday, he and a few friends decided to visit Turkey for a 5-day break. This was his first trip abroad in 10 years; it is likely to be his last. Before leaving the UK on 18 September, FD was working full-time in a skilled job and was financially independent. He lived in rented accommodation and enjoyed family life with his two British young-adult children and British partner. He got his 90-day Turkish visit visa relying on his ILR; checked and double-checked his eVisa on his UKVI account; and, he ensured that he had his share codes in place and that they were working… so what could go wrong?

Full article can be found below.

  Most Christmas movies involve the familiar plot where a family member overcomes a series of obstacles to return home in time for the holidays to be welcomed into the warmth of the family home, the bosom of family and friends, and the bounty of plentiful home cooked food. This is said to embody th...

17/12/2025

Halcyon Chambers will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

For any enquiries during this time please email [email protected] and we will get back to you on our next working day.