In addition to BCL’s expertise in Serious Fraud, the team has a wealth of experience in representing and successfully defending individuals subject to investigations and prosecutions carried out by UK enforcement agencies and prosecuting authorities in relation to allegations of theft, fraud and dishonesty. We provide rapid, effective expert and strategic advice and representation to protect clients’ positions and their reputations.
Our advice and representation covers the range of offences under the Fraud Act 2006, including fraud by false representation; fraud by failing to disclose information; fraud by abuse of position; possession of articles for use in fraud and obtaining services dishonestly. We also represent those under investigation in relation to allegations of theft, including theft from employer and payment evasion offences.
We are experts in advising clients prior to interview, responding to requests for the production of information and assessing the legality of such requests, as well as challenging requests where it is considered appropriate. We also have a proven track record in persuading prosecution authorities not to bring criminal proceedings and if charges are ultimately brought, preparing our clients’ for trial proceedings.
Our expertise
BCL are ranked in Band 1 for Crime in Chambers and Partners and Band 1 for Crime: General in The Legal 500.
In addition to BCL’s capabilities in serious fraud, our serious and general crime team has a wealth of experience in representing and successfully defending individuals subject to investigations and prosecutions carried out by UK enforcement agencies and prosecuting authorities in relation to allegations of theft, fraud, and dishonesty. We provide rapid, effective expert and strategic advice, and representation to protect clients’ positions and their reputations.
We are specialists in advising clients prior to interview, responding to requests for the production of information and assessing the legality of such requests, as well as challenging requests where it is considered appropriate. We also have a proven track record in persuading prosecuting authorities not to bring or continue criminal proceedings, and if charges are ultimately brought or pursued, preparing our clients for contested trials.
We provide beginning to end representation to guide you through the entire course of your case, including in connection with:
- representing suspects under arrest and in detention awaiting an interview under caution;
- pre-charge engagement with police and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in order to identify lines of enquiry of potential assistance to our clients;
- gathering of evidence and intelligence, including identifying witnesses, CCTV footage, and social media content;
- representation in complex historic investigations and investigations with a cross-border or multi-jurisdictional element;
- preparing written representations against prosecution to the police and CPS, both pre-charge and post-charge;
- instructing specialist forensic experts to prepare reports for use in supporting representations against prosecution or defence at trial;
- preparation and representation at trial the magistrates’ court and crown court;
- representation in appeal proceedings before the Court of Appeal and the Criminal Cases Review Commission;
- engaging with media and reputation management specialists; and
- liaising with employers, professional regulators, and other third parties throughout proceedings, ensuring that our clients’ professional and reputational interests are protected.
Our experience
Examples of our instructions include:
- Advising a husband and wife accused of high value theft and fraud by false representation, concerning an elderly individual that they were caring for, which resulted in the police taking no further action.
- Former professional footballer investigated for conspiracy to defraud relating to the tendering process for a large building project. Following a police investigation lasting over three years, a decision was made to take no further action against our client.
- Representing a doctor facing investigation by the NHS Counter Fraud Unit, following allegations that they had stolen and laundered money as a result of overpayments spanning several years.
- Successfully secured a police decision to take no further action against our client, who was accused of stealing luggage from Heathrow airport. A pro-active approach in terms of pre-charge engagement, both by liaising with the investigating officers and written representations, led to this result.
- Successfully defending a young man in a private prosecution brought by his father for blackmail, theft and forgery. The prosecution offered no evidence during the course of the trial and costs applications were made in respect of multiple parties to the prosecution in favour of our client.
Our reputation
BCL has long been top-ranked by the major legal directories in the area of Crime and is currently ranked as follows:
- Band 1 – Chambers and Partners, Crime
- Tier 1 – Legal 500: Crime
- Leading Firm – The Times Best Law Firms: Financial Crime & Fraud & Regulatory
