Financial crime, investigations and litigation

We advise both individuals and corporate organisations on investigations and prosecutions into financial or business related crime.

The consequences of being investigated for an alleged financial crime can be severe, wide-ranging and immediate. Prosecuting agencies using ever increasing investigator powers may carry out raids and arrests, or obtain draconian court orders with little or no warning.

We can advise from the very outset of an investigation, from the initial search and seizure, arrests and interviews, and throughout any subsequent Court Proceedings. We also advise on ancillary proceedings, and in particular Restraint Orders, World-Wide Freezing Orders, Account Freezing Orders and Production Orders.

We defend individuals, such as company directors, professionals, solicitors and accountants as well as defending and advising corporate organisations.

We have defended in cases involving:

• VAT frauds
• mortgage frauds
• tax evasion
• fraudulent trading
• MTIC (missing intra-community fraud)/carousel frauds
• insurance fraud
• crypto-currency related investigations
• large scale money laundering investigations
• bribery and Corruption
• large scale confiscation proceedings

We have also defended in cases brought by all the prime investigatory bodies, including:

• The Serious Fraud Office
• The Financial Conduct Authority
• His Majesty’s Customs and Revenue Economic Crime Unit
• National Crime Agency
• Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate
• Department for Trade and Industry (now Department for Business and Trade)
• Office of Fair Trading
• Department for Work and Pensions and other Government departments
  

We advise at all stages of the process, from the initial seizure of material and interview under caution, through to trial. We also advise in relation to ancillary proceedings, in particular Restraint Orders and Account and World-wide Freezing Orders, which can have a devastating impact on individuals and families if not responded to and challenged where possible. We advise individuals who are the subject of notices issued by the Serious Fraud Office under s2 Criminal Justice Act 1987. 

We also advise on compliance with anti-money laundering and other financial sector regulations.

We have a team of dedicated and experienced lawyers in this field. We ensure that every client’s case is handled by an appropriately experienced solicitor. If a number of lawyers are required to work on a case in a team, we nonetheless ensure that our client still maintains access to and contact with the lead lawyer in the case throughout. Our clients are not part of a “conveyor belt” and we appreciate that communication with the leading lawyers in the case is key.

We ensure that clear, practical and strategic advice is given at the outset. We scrutinise evidence so that “no stone is left unturned” and defend each of our clients’ interests forensically and fearlessly. 

Recent cases have included:

• advising in Serious Fraud Office investigation
• advising companies regarding the new corporate offence of “failure to prevent fraud” offences under ECCTA
• representing companies regarding “dawn raids” and advising in any subsequent investigation
• acting for a company director in an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA)
• advising investors regarding the recovery of funds subject to forfeiture proceedings
• advising three company directors in relation to an alleged cask whisky fraud
• advising an accountant from another jurisdiction who was subject to worldwide freezing order
• acting for the former CEO of a European luxury yacht company being investigated in the UK on behalf of a foreign police force
• acting for a fintech company subject to account freezing orders
• acting in a nine party investment conspiracy allegation relating to an alleged sports algorithm fraud
• acting for partner regarding multi-million pound fraud relating to stamp duty land tax
• an Financial Crime Authority (FCA) investigation relating to unauthorised financial activity and money laundering

We are ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers for our expertise. Here are some comments made about us.

Most of the work that we carry out is privately funded, and we are able to offer competitive hourly rates and overall fees, without compromising the quality of our representation. At the beginning of your case, we’ll explain the funding options with you in order to put in place a funding package that is affordable and manageable.