Business Crime Lawyers
Our team of Business Crime Solicitors consists of highly skilled professionals who specialise in providing expert advice and legal representation to both individuals and businesses confronting a diverse range of serious charges.
When faced with allegations of criminal activity and undergoing criminal investigations, the potential impact on a company or individual can be substantial. Our experienced Business Crime Solicitors are well-versed in the complexities of business crime cases and understand the urgency of seeking legal counsel promptly to mount a swift and effective response to the accusations, thereby maximising the likelihood of a favourable outcome. We are fully prepared to take on your case at any stage.
If you or your business are currently grappling with charges related to business crime, we encourage you to reach out to Business Crime Solicitors today for immediate guidance and support.
How our Business Crime Solicitors Can Help
If you or your business is facing investigation for a business crime, our Business Crime Solicitors are here to help. We will provide you with advice and representation through every step of the following proceedings:
- Police station attendance
- Interviews with authorities
- Investigation processes
- Preparing your case for trial
- Trial
From the moment you instruct us, we will work with you to assess and review your business operations. We will not only defend you against current investigations, but also to protect you against further allegations. We will help you to understand your professional and personal rights, while also working to protect your business and reputation.
By thoroughly examining your current business model, we will help you to navigate current employment laws and regulations. We can highlight areas of concern and understand what is expected of your business. You will be able to avoid the risk of accusations and potential prosecution in the future.
The sooner you contact our Business Crime Solicitors, the sooner we can begin to act on your behalf, which will put you in the strongest position possible. Do not delay. The moment you have been informed that you or your business is under investigation for a crime, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Specialist expertise in defending all types of business crime offences.
Our Expert Business Crime Solicitors
What is Business Crime?
Business crime is also known as 'white collar crime' and encompasses a broad range of nonviolent offences typically committed in commercial situations for financial gain.
Unlike traditional street crimes, business crimes are characterised by deceit, concealment and a breach of trust. They often involve complex schemes and can be difficult to detect and prosecute due to their sophisticated nature.
Business crimes can be committed by individuals, groups or corporations and may involve various illegal activities such as fraud, embezzlement, money laundering, insider trading and more.
These crimes can lead to significant financial losses, damage to a company's reputation, and severe legal penalties, including imprisonment, fines and disqualification from holding certain positions.
Who Conducts Business Crime Investigations?
Different agencies may conduct investigations depending on the type of fraud or business crime alleged. It is not uncommon for multiple agencies to work on a case at the same time, or for additional agencies to be involved in multi-jurisdictional investigations, including:
- The Serious Fraud Office
- The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
- Trading Standards
- The Office of Fair Trading
- The Crown Prosecution Service
- The Financial Conduct Authority
- HM Revenue and Customs
We have over 20 year’s experience in dealing with key enforcement agencies. Our Business Crime Solicitors communicate with local authorities and enforcement agencies on your behalf. We will keep you up to date on your case and reduce stress during what can be a complex process.
Business Crime Legislations
The Companies Act 2006
The Companies Act 2006 is the main piece of legislation governing company law in the UK. It contains over 1,300 sections covering the lawful act of doing business and there is a surprisingly large number of criminal offences set out in the Act. The majority of these can be committed not only by the company itself but also by its directors and officers.
However, only a very small number of offences committed under the Act result in any action being taken, let alone prosecution.
More serious offences including those related to convening the rules against fraudulent trading could face a fine and up to ten years in jail on conviction in the Crown Court.
A conviction for any offence under the Act is also likely to lead to disqualification proceedings. The director may be deemed to be ‘unfit’ to act as a company director.
The Bribery Act 2010 (Bribery Act)
The penalties for committing a crime under The Bribery Act 2010 are a maximum of 10 years’ in prison, an unlimited fine and the potential for the confiscation of property. A prosecution for bribery and corruption crimes is also likely to result in the disqualification of directors under the Company Directors Disqualification Act.
The main body responsible for enforcing the Bribery Act is the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
What is the Company Director's Disqualification Act?
The Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 sets out the procedures for company directors to be disqualified in certain cases.
The effect of the order is to prevent people convicted of business crime from being involved in running another business during the period of the disqualification.
A company director would be disqualified if, for example, the person is convicted of an offence in connection with illegal business practices. Or if, while the company is winding up, it appears the person has been guilty of an offence for which they are liable.
The maximum period for the disqualification order is 15 years.
Case Study
Liverpool's Longest Fraud Trial
26 October 2018
In the longest fraud trial Liverpool's Crown Court has seen, Rob Mann of Draycott Browne conducted the successful representation of former Conservative councillor David Richard Barton. A not guilty verdict was returned after 137 days of trial allowing David to finally put his life back on track.
Specialist Business Crime Solicitors
- 24/7 Availability
- Proven Success in High Profile Cases
- Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation
Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s Corporate Crime Lawyers today.
Business Crime Cases We Defend
Business crime investigations can have far reaching consequences for companies, directors and senior management. Alongside the risk of prosecution, organisations often face operational disruption, regulatory intervention, financial uncertainty and damage to long established commercial relationships.
Our Business Crime Solicitors advise businesses and individuals throughout every stage of an investigation, delivering practical legal guidance and robust representation across some of the UK's most serious corporate and regulatory matters.
Corporate Fraud, involves allegations that individuals or businesses obtained a financial advantage through dishonest commercial conduct. These cases can include procurement fraud, invoice fraud, fraudulent trading, false representations, and other offences involving company finances or business operations.
Corporate Manslaughter, involves allegations that serious management failings led to a person's death during the course of business activities. These investigations are often conducted jointly by the police and the Health and Safety Executive and focus on corporate systems, risk management and decision making.
Bribery and Corruption, involve allegations that payments, gifts, hospitality, or other benefits were offered, requested, or accepted to secure an improper commercial or personal advantage. These investigations frequently concern both domestic and international business activity.
Money Laundering, involves allegations that criminal property was concealed, transferred, acquired, or used to disguise its unlawful origins. These investigations often involve substantial financial evidence, international transactions and parallel Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings.
Proceeds of Crime Act Proceedings (POCA), involve applications to restrain, seize, recover, or confiscate assets believed to represent the proceeds of criminal conduct. These proceedings can arise during investigations, after conviction, or through separate civil recovery action.
False Accounting, involves allegations that financial records, accounts, invoices, or company documents were deliberately falsified to conceal losses, inflate profits, or misrepresent a business's financial position.
Boiler Room Fraud, involves allegations that investors were persuaded to purchase worthless or overvalued investments through high pressure sales tactics and misleading representations. These investigations frequently involve substantial financial losses and multiple alleged victims.
Bounce Back Loan Fraud, involves allegations that false or misleading information was provided to obtain government backed business loans during the COVID 19 pandemic. Investigations commonly focus on eligibility, company finances and the use of loan funds.
Embezzlement and Workplace Theft, involve allegations that employees, directors, or individuals in positions of trust dishonestly misappropriated money, assets, or property belonging to an employer or organisation.
Director Prosecutions, involve allegations that company directors committed criminal offences whilst managing a business. These cases commonly concern fraudulent trading, breaches of directors' duties, financial misconduct, or regulatory failings.
Regulatory Law, involves allegations that businesses or individuals breached legislation governing commercial activity, including health and safety, environmental regulations, trading standards, and industry specific compliance requirements. These investigations are frequently conducted by specialist regulators and enforcement authorities.
If you or your business are under investigation for any form of business crime, obtaining specialist legal advice as early as possible is essential. Our experienced Business Crime Solicitors provide strategic, practical advice from the outset, protecting your business, your reputation and your future while building a robust defence designed to achieve the best possible outcome.
Contact our Business Crime Solicitors
Our Business Crime Lawyers, White Collar Solicitors and Corporate Crime Lawyers are part of the wider team of nationally recognised Criminal Defence Lawyers. Contact our Business Crime Solicitors today by calling the number at the top of this. If you would like us to contact you, simply fill in our online enquiry form and a member of the team will be in touch as soon as possible.
As a leading Criminal Law firm, we regularly act for corporate and high-profile clients and directors in London and throughout the North West, including Manchester and Liverpool. When in need of expert legal representation and following allegations of white collar crime and regulatory investigations, expert legal representation is vital. By entrusting your case to us, you can be assured that you will be working with a highly skilled and experienced team. Our Business Crime Solicitors have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of the law.
Our legal team is available 7 days a week. If you or your business need expert legal representation, call Draycott Browne today, or complete our contact form. When your business faces the stiffest challenge, you cannot afford to settle for anything less than Draycott Browne. Call our business crime team.