If you are a business owner or director caught up of the midst of a criminal investigation, it can put immense strain on you both personally and professionally, and can be irreversibly damaging to your reputation.
Our Business Crime Team can help to protect the personal and commercial interests of anyone facing a criminal investigation. With our intervention many enquiries can often be resolved early on in the process through negotiation without the need to enter into criminal proceedings. Our aim is to preserve our clients’ reputation as much as possible when facing any kind of investigation. The earlier we are contacted the better, so if you are concerned over a business crime issue, pick up the telephone, talk to us and we will advise you of your best course of action.
Fraud
We work with many clients who have been accused of fraudulent behaviour, ranging from local investigations through to national and international cases, as well as with those businesses who are concerned about falling foul of the complex regulations. Our experts are experienced in representing clients interviewed by investigating authorities and right through to court representation for those who face prosecution.
Money Laundering
Many businesses are now concerned about money laundering and its strict regulations. Violations could occur by handling money or property that may have accrued through crime, whether as a consequence of breaching a law or by innocently being in possession of another's criminal property. We regularly advise both those suspected or accused of money laundering and those who are concerned to avoid it. We can also advise on systems to reduce the risk of money laundering through a business.
Proceeds of Crime
Restraint of your assets can take place long before any finding of guilt if you are under investigation for fraud or money laundering. The recovery of cash, property and land has become an increasingly common target for law enforcers in recent years. The state can seize and potentially keep an individual's or businesses' assets in either civil or criminal proceedings. Increasingly, even technical breaches of business law are being met with applications to seize and recover whatever property may be available. If you find yourself in this situation, we will give you immediate straight-talking, practical legal advice, and fully represent you in any court proceedings.
Director's Responsibility
When you take on the role of a director of a business you automatically become responsible for the actions of your company and its employees and, as a result, you can face personal criminal responsibility for those actions, if warranted. Directors’ obligations are often overlooked, which is why, as legal advisors, we treat them with such importance when providing advice on setting up directorships. Directorial responsibility is especially important in areas of Health and Safety and Environment Agency investigations, interviews and enforcement, and needs meticulous attention. If you do find yourself under investigation or facing prosecution, we have extensive experience in advising and representing company directors in this situation.
Related Services
SERVICES FOR BUSINESSES
- Business Services
- Commercial Property
- Commercial Contracts
- Employment
- Regulatory Enforcement
- Business Crime
- Business Disputes
Meet the team
Matthew Graham
Parner and Head of Crime and Mental Health
DDT: 01225 400666