We act on the instructions of both Prosecuting authorities and defence solicitors considering financial evidence pertaining to a defendant’s alleged guilt and quantification of benefit in confiscation proceedings.
Our work includes financial investigations, detailed bank account analysis, reviewing the conduct of directors and finance professionals and scrutinising financial records for evidence of fraud and quantification thereof. We can be instructed as either as an expert to prepare a report pursuant to CrPR 19 or as an advisor in the early stages to identify the most significant aspects of the case and to highlight key areas for further investigation or key documents that should be requested.
Breadth of experience
Our experience includes cases relating to the following offences:
- Drug dealing
- Fraud
- Money laundering
- Theft
- Trading whilst insolvent
- Breach of Director Disqualifications
- Abuse of professional position
Prosecution work
Our Prosecution work has included expert witness reports for Police forces and other regulatory bodies such as Trading Standards. One of our Partners has also spent time on secondment to a Police force’s Economic Crime Unit, assisting its fraud investigations. This included the preparation of professional witness statements and giving evidence at Court.
Defence work
Our criminal defence experience includes both primary trials and Proceeds of Crime Act confiscations. In respect of the latter we are familiar with the concepts of ‘lifestyle’ criminals and the civil burden of proof on the defendant. Our POCA work usually involves a detailed review of the Prosecution’s Section 16 Statement, investigating the financing of assets (particularly properties) and tracing the source of banking deposits of the defendants.
Legal Aid
We are accustomed to the process of obtaining Legal Aid Agency funding and, unlike many firms, are prepared to undertake assignments at the applicable rates.
Court experience
Two of our partners, Geoff and Richard, have given evidence in the Crown Court.
