Our team has significant experience advising individuals under investigation in relation to allegations that they have defrauded their employer.
We regularly represent individuals being interviewed in corporate internal investigations, where we are retained as their independent legal advisers at an early stage. We represent clients in investigations conducted by the UK authorities, including the Serious Fraud Office, HMRC and the Police. This includes preparing for and representing clients at interview, making pre-charge representations and acting throughout the criminal proceedings to trial if charges are brought.
Whilst we are often able to bring matters to a swift conclusion, without the case ever reaching court, sometimes criminal proceedings are unavoidable. The team have significant trial experience and have been involved for suspects or witnesses in some of the largest fraud cases over many years, including Barlow Clowes, Maxwell, BCCI, Innospec, Rolls Royce, LIBOR and Tesco. We recognise that a trial is an incredibly stressful experience for our clients, and we work hard to ensure that our clients know what to expect at each stage and are involved in the strategic decision-making throughout. Our single purpose is to secure the best outcome for them.
Where civil litigation is also contemplated or initiated, we work in parallel with our colleagues in the Fraud Defence team. As fraud cases can often also involve a regulatory angle, for example where individuals are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or Solicitors Regulation Authority, we work closely in conjunction with our specialist Regulatory team.