The UK has in recent years seen a swathe of legislative changes which has altered the landscape in which businesses must operate. Not all owners have the legal know how or the resources to ensure that their business is compliant with criminal and regulatory changes.
Prosecuting authorities regularly target corporates for criminal misconduct. Whether you are a sole trader, partnership or a limited company our team of specialist Solicitors will assist you in the defence of the most serious, complex investigations where there is an allegation that a criminal offence has been committed.
The experts at Avisons cannot only assist you if you find yourself facing a prosecution, they can also assist in putting in place preventative measures to avoid the risk of prosecution.
Who can prosecute?
There are a number of government bodies and organisations that can investigate your business and then bring a prosecution. Our experts have a great deal of experience of how to deal with those listed below and can assist you from the investigative stage through to the conclusion of the proceedings.
- Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
- Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
- Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
- Trading Standards
- Local Authorities
- The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
If you use the services of Avisons, our experts will remain by your side from the commencement of the investigation through to the conclusion of any matter.
What proceedings can be commenced against businesses
At Avisons we can assist in most types of investigations and prosecutions, although the below is not an exhaustive list, these are some of the investigations in which we have assisted our clients:
- Complex Fraud
- Corporate Manslaughter
- Environmental Law
- Defence of Company Directors
- Professional Disciplinary Proceedings
- Trading Standards Investigations
- HMRC Investigations
- Cash, Seizure & Forfeiture
- Bribery & Corruption
- Money Laundering and other POCA offences
How can we help
Any investigation that you face will come as a major shock and can often rock the foundations of your business. The investigation can sometimes arise from the most serious allegation to something as simple as carelessness from a junior employee. Our experts will be at hand to guide you and assist you through the entire process whether your investigation has only just commenced or whether you are at the conclusion of the proceedings. We regularly assist our clients during the following:
- Responses to dawn raids
- Preparing for interview
- Negotiation with prosecuting agencies
- Preparing complex cases for trial
- Successfully defending prosecutions
- Representing witnesses and interested parties connected with corruption proceedings
We evaluate problems and identify solutions as quickly as possible with a minimum of fuss and expense. Our experienced business crime lawyers leave nothing to chance, which means meticulous preparation, astute strategy and tireless determination to chart the best possible course in every case. Our specialist Criminal team works closely with our colleagues in Dispute Resolution and Corporate and Commercial departments to offer a full service approach.