Michael has a broad common law practice, with a focus on medium to high value civil litigation, serious crime (defence) and public law (including all areas of human rights and immigration law).
Michael joined Chambers as a tenant in April 2011. He takes instructions in all areas of Chambers' work, including employment and family law; and regularly appears in the High Court and Crown Court; in claims on the Multi-track and Fast Track; and in all tribunals and courts dealing with immigration law. He has developed a reputation for fierce advocacy; quickly getting to grips with the issues in complex cases; consummate dedication to his client's interests; and for finding solutions to what at first sight seem insoluble legal problems.
Michael believes that at the modern bar counsel should take a pro-active approach to any given case, and he is happy to go the extra mile for his client where that is necessary. As part of that philosophy, Mr. Biggs will always insist on early involvement in a case where that is practicable.
The above qualities help explain Mr. Biggs' high success rate, both in court and in generating beneficial out of court settlements; as well as his successful drafting and advisory practice.
Education
·LLB, 1st Class (University of Sheffield)
·B.C.L (Lincoln College, Oxon.)
·B.V.C (Very Competent)
Awards
·Taylor & Emmett Law Prize
·Grayson's Prize
·Oxford University Press Law Prize
·City Law School Scholarship (BVC)
·Middle Temple Entrance Exhibition
Recent Notable Cases
R. v. RI (20 May 2011)
Michael successfully defended his client in the first contested prosecution under section 7 (1) of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006.
Ara (successful appeal - no entry clearance) Bangladesh [2011] UKUT 376 (IAC)
(27 September 2011) Read the judgment
Mr. Biggs represented the appellant in this important appeal to the Upper Tribunal. The Upper Tribunal decided that the First-tier Tribunal can circumvent an earlier in-point determination of the First-tier allowing an appeal, if an Entry Clarence Officer (“ECO”) re-refused on an application made after the successful appeal. The Upper Tribunal held that although the ECO could not seek to undertake a fresh investigation in order to circumvent a determination he disagreed with, he was bound to consider the merits of the later application in light of the circumstances at the date of the later application, pursuant to paragraph 27 of the Immigration Rules; and the later judge of the First-tier should apply the principles in Devaseelan to any appeal of the ECO's re-refusal decision.
The Upper Tribunal's determination is currently under appeal to the Court of Appeal. The outcome of that appeal will have very significant implications for the integrity of the Tribunal system and the value of a First-tier Tribunal determination in entry clearance cases.
Interests
Michael has a keen interest in the law of restitution, evidence and property, as well as legal and political philosophy; and is a keen fisherman and squash player. He also continues to foster a fondness for teaching, having taught undergraduates as a part-time lecturer.
