We provide expert advice to those being investigated and prosecuted in serious and complex criminal matters brought by agencies including the Serious Fraud Office, Financial Conduct Authority, HM Revenue and Customs, Crown Prosecution Service, and the Insolvency Service. Our lawyers can advise you throughout the entire criminal process, including providing advice at the police station and in respect of search warrants and production orders, through to rigorously defending you if you are charged with an offence.
We know too well that the requirement for specialist advice can arise at all times in these types of investigations – we are able to provide our clients with around the clock service should it be required.
The team’s case experience includes:
- Banking Solicitor accused of defrauding his employer. This complex case involved a variety of legal issues relating to Legal Professional Privilege, judicial review, conflict of interest and admissibility of evidence. Following a 7 month trial which involved complicated financial information and legal billing records the jury unanimously acquitted our client in a matter of some 3 hours.
- Engineer employed by the council charged with conspiracy to commit fraud. It was alleged that the client had corruptly conspired with a third-party contractor in a multi-million pound road-resurfacing fraud. The prosecution offered no evidence against our client prior to trial.
- A businessman investigated by the Insolvency Service. He is accused of acting as a director, or in the management of a company, whilst an undischarged bankrupt.
- A Client accused of failing to declare the extent of his income and pay tax to HMRC. Following investigations by the defence, successful representations were submitted to HMRC which cast doubt on the veracity of the prosecution; this resulted in the prosecution formally withdrawing their case.
It is often the case that our professional clients are the subject of investigation by their regulatory body, whether that be the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Bar Standards Board, General Medical Council, General Dental Council etc. Tyr is uniquely placed to be able to deal with any regulatory issues that occur as a result of a criminal investigation or prosecution ensuring high quality representation throughout.
Proceeds of Crime and Money Laundering
We provide specialist representation in relation to all cases involving the proceeds of crime and money laundering. Prosecuting authorities have a range of measures available to them if they believe that someone has been in receipt of criminal proceeds or is undertaking criminal activity. These tools can be extremely restrictive to an individual and / or businesses. They include:
- Cash seizure and Forfeiture orders
- Accounting Freezing
- Restraint Orders
- Unexplained Wealth Orders
- Confiscation Proceedings
We understand how severe these applications and orders can seem to the investigated person and their family, and associates, and how it can affect their ability to access everyday living funds and continue to run businesses. We are with our clients each step of the way to ensure that they understand their options and to help them navigate what can be complex legal proceedings.
The team’s case experience includes:
- Representing clients facing forfeiture proceedings in which the prosecution alleged substantial cash seized from the family home was the proceeds of crime. The Court ordered the return of the cash to the clients.
- Advising an individual in relation to an onerous restraint order imposed before he was charged with any offence. Taking a robust approach resulted in funds being released to the client.
- Representing the wife of a convicted defendant in his confiscation proceedings in which the prosecution disputed her interest in family assets.
- Defending complex confiscation proceedings in which the prosecution alleged hidden assets in excess of £10million. Following successful negotiations, a settlement was reached with the prosecution in which the hidden assets element was limited to a specific transaction totalling £25,000
Having in place the appropriate measures to prevent money laundering, tax evasion, corruption and bribery is the best way to curtail or defend any criminal allegations you and your business may face. We can help businesses to assess and manage their greatest compliance risks, by assisting them to put in place policies, procedures and systems, and by providing training to directors and employees.
