I’m Facing Serious Fraud Charges
If you or your business face allegations of serious high value fraud, it is essential that you contact Pavidus Legal as soon as possible
Allegations of this nature can be extremely damaging to a company or individual so immediate specialist advice is vital in order to protect your rights, your business and your reputation.
Our Reccomended lawyers know how to use their wealth of experience to gain the best possible result for you. We will deal with the authorities on your behalf and advise you on how to face the investigation if you have been accused of committing a fraud offence - such as during interviews under caution.
If you have been accused of serious fraud and need specialist advice from qualified Serious Fraud Solicitors with a proven track record,contact Pavidus Legal for the Black book of the UKs leading legal professionals
The SFO & Other Agencies
It all In the UK, serious fraud is investigated and prosecuted by various state agencies depending on the seriousness and complexity of the case.
The Serious Fraud Office (‘SFO’) is the UK’s leading law enforcement and prosecution agency for serious and complex financial crime. It handles the country’s most significant financial crime investigations and prosecutions.
SFO investigations often involve allegations of fraud and false accounting in publicly listed and private companies and their subsidiaries. These cases usually rely heavily on data (such as emails, messaging and other communication records and financial data) with the SFO exercising its compulsory powers to seize material and compel answers from witnesses.
SFO investigations are long running and usually take years to conclude.
Away from the SFO, the NCA) and specialist police units such as the City of London Fraud Squad and regional Fraud Squads also deal with a range of fraud allegations. Often cases which are investigated by these units are brought to court by a specialist fraud prosecution unit within the Crown Prosecution Service.
Serious tax fraud is usually investigated by the HMRC. There are a number of other, specialist agencies such as the NHS Counter Fraud Authority which investigate and prosecute serious fraud in particular industry sectors.
Section 2 Interviews
A Section 2 interview is an interview held under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987.
A notice served under Section 2 can require an individual to attend a Section 2 interview and compel them to answer questions, failure to do so without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence.
Although answers given at a Section 2 interview cannot usually be used against an individual in any subsequent criminal prosecution, the SFO’s recent practice has included interviewing individuals using this power and subsequently treating them as suspects.
Anyone facing the prospect of a Section 2 interview should seek expert advice on navigating this process.
