Criminal Fraud Defence

Our lawyers are vastly experienced in SFO investigations.

• Prosecution of individuals (including directors of Sarclad Ltd) in respect of bribery and corruption. This was the first ever acquittal of a managing director, in this case of a steel technology company in respect of bribery and corruption following a deferred prosecution agreement being reached with Sarclad Ltd.
• Prosecution of individuals in the Duckers Furniture Ltd asset-stripping case.
• Prosecution involving the collapse and asset-stripping of Uno Shopfitting Ltd, Wavetown Ltd and Abbotts Wholesale (Tobacconists and Confectioners) Ltd.
• Prosecution of individuals in the Prudential Commercial case.
• Prosecution involving Powerscreen International PLC of a subsidiary company’s Financial Controller alleging false accounting to the value of £41m and carrying on a business for a fraudulent purpose. 
• Prosecution involving SSL International Ltd of SSL’s Financial Controller for allegedly furnishing false documents to the value of £25m and facilitating corrupt payments valuing £1.2m. 
• Case arising from the collapse of the menswear group Ciro Citerrio.
• Investigation into TATA Speciality steels.
• Investigation into AMEC Foster Wheeler Energy.
• Case arising from the investigation into the Anglo-American Group.
• Miners Compensation Fund investigation.
• Investigation involving Lord Davenport and Gresham Ltd.

• R v B — representation of two directors prosecuted in respect of bribery and corruption under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906 in respect of matters concerning the London Underground. 
• R V P — representation of an ex-FSA (as it was then) approved director of branded mortgage lender in £250m mortgage, re-sale, remortgage and property investment schemes.
• R v R v M & Others — conspiracy to defraud, Operation Bamburgh 2, property development and mortgage fraud, electronic presentation.
• R v F & Others — representation of a defendant in an £8m high-yield investment fraud involving acquisition of land, commercial and residential property and fraudulent bank lending (CPS Fraud Prosecution, London).
• R v F — acting for a director of a non-status commercial lending company in a multi-jurisdictional (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus) advance fee fraud prosecuted by the Special Case Work team of the CPS.
• R v B & Others — 16-handed MTIC/Contra trading fraud (HM Revenue & Customs).
• R v S & Others —  £8m fraud on the construction industry scheme, PAYE and NI schemes.
• R v M Ltd (a company) & R v L (a director) — VAT evasion in respect of the supply of hot water, steam and ice to NHS Trusts around the country (case dismissed). 
• R v K — prosecution by HMRC for a haulier prosecuted for furnishing false invoices in respect of non-existent deliveries used to offset VAT liabilities of £1.5m. 
• R v S — prosecution of a broker of industrial machinery supplied through the UK and Germany who was prosecuted for failing to charge VAT on parts supplies in order to gain a competitive advantage. 
• R v B — prosecution of the director of a telecom company prosecuted for multi-million-pound Missing Trader Intra Community Fraud and associated Proceeds of Crime Act application.
• R v M — prosecution of the managing partner of a firm of solicitors in respect of a multi-million-pound theft of office and client funds (CPS Fraud Prosecution).
• R v P — Operation Wheatsheaf (conspiracy to defraud in the flower importation business).
• R v G — representation of six councillors (including three leaders) of Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council for expenses fraud (part of the ‘Donnygate’ scandal).
• R v B (x2) — obtaining property by deception and arson with intent to endanger life. High value Porsche 935 K3, Porsche 911 insurance fraud and other HP fraud ref Lotus and Ferrari motor vehicles.
• R v M — conspiracy to defraud and two counts of misusing the telecommunications system. Misuse of premium rate telephone service set up through the defendant’s company and hacking through a BT Automated switchboard. 
• R v B & M — representation of two defendants in a £1m property portfolio fraud prosecution in the North West.
• R v F — acting for the director of a number of companies in a £1.8m DTI fraudulent trading allegation in which the directors of the relevant companies are alleged to have phoenixed.
• R v M — representation of a defendant in a multi-handed conspiracy to defraud in respect of a charity for terminally ill children (Newcastle). Defendant was employed by the charity.

• FCA Investigation — representation of a defendant in a Financial Conduct Authority insider trading criminal investigation. Defendant was the officer/senior employee of a major retail PLC.
• CPS Fraud Prosecution — multi-handed conspiracy to defraud prosecution (£4.3m, York).
• NE surgical company — alleged theft by company directors of European Union grant money (BERR).
• Money laundering — investigation of the managing partner of a solicitors’ practice in respect of money laundering linked to a cross-border police force major crime unit investigation.
• Money laundering — solicitor investigation concerning conveyancing transaction (Northumbria).
• Local Police force — investigation into the managing partner of a solicitors’ practice in respect of an allegation of theft (interview and discontinuance). 
• Financial Services Authority — investigation into an ‘approved person’ following alleged ‘serial’ mortgage fraud.