Fraud

"Really good on complex financial services and fraud work"— Chambers 2024

Our lawyers are respected experts in the field of white collar crime and serious fraud. We act for companies and individuals caught up in investigations or prosecutions by the Serious Fraud Office, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, Police, National Crime Agency, Crown Prosecution Service, FCA, Insolvency Services and BEIS.

Some of our lawyers have worked for these organisations in the past so know the process from both perspectives. Some of our cases are cross-border involving overseas agencies particularly in Europe and the US.

We also know and work closely with other law firms – for example when we are co-defending or are asked to act as an independent legal advisor for witnesses or employees of companies with separate company lawyers.

Whether you are suspect, witness, victim, whistle-blower or company investigator, we can assist you with any stage of the criminal investigation and defence process from arrest, interviews to conducting internal investigations, self-reporting advice to the police, SFO or your regulators, through to a criminal trial.

We advise in dawn raids where investigators attend at your home or business premises unannounced to seize property (typically business and financial records, computer, phone and other IT devices) and will often wish to interview you on the same day or soon after.

We can represent you if you are arrested, interviewed under caution or compelled to attend for interview. We are adept and highly skilled in acting in and managing lengthy investigations and trials.

We help navigate ancillary issues such as regulatory or employment problems for those facing criminal allegations. We form multi-disciplinary teams, bespoke for you, to respond to and improve the situation.

We can also recommend and work closely with civil fraud lawyers and barristers to support you or your organisation that suspect fraud or financial crime committed by directors, employee or related professional advisors or third parties.

Our Experience

Advised company director subject to compulsory interview in relation to the SFO’s investigation into the business and accounting practice of AIM-listed company Quindell plc.
Advised bank trader under SFO investigation including interview under caution for interfering with the Repo Rate to manipulate the Bank of England Special Liquidity (SLS) lending scheme to help banks following the financial crisis.
Advised former UBS trader under SFO investigation and interview under caution for alleged LIBOR interest rate manipulation resulting in no further action.
Represented a senior executive in a US based company in a complex tax and fraud investigation carried out by HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (Offshore Corporate & Wealthy) Team. No further action taken against client.
Represented two individuals at trial in proceedings brought by the SFO, pertaining to fraud offences (acquitted) and two counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Funding

We can discuss the funding options, the proposed scope of work and budget with you. Depending on the situation, you should check whether you have any legal expenses insurance (for example under professional indemnity, Directors’ & Officers’ or household insurance policies) or consider whether a third party, such as an employer, will contribute to your legal fees (eg under an indemnity).