fraud

All large cases need special attention and not just because they come with a large page count.

We will handle any complex case with skill and enthusiasm. We make use of Counsel with proven track records so as to ensure that our preparation is made use of to the full extent. It does not matter to us how novel the case might be, how complex the financial dealings or just how many issues might arise. We managed to have the longest rape trial at the Old Bailey (6 months+). We had already been to the House of Lords for that client to sort out the Government’s attempt to try to prevent bail for defendants who were charged at a certain level having been convicted at that level in the past. We are still dealing with his claim for compensation in the European Court of Human Rights following his acquittal. Even that case pales against some of the cases we have dealt with relating to Customs prosecutions, Defra, DTI (as it was) and the CPS.

We are sometimes accused of not knowing when to stop assisting the client. One case we began in 2002 resulted in the client’s acquittal in 2009 but we are still pursuing his rights in the European Court of Human Rights as he was not reimbursed all of his expenses. We remain hopeful we will be able to finish it this year. This related to Customs’ Operation Fulcrum where we dealt with the only prosecution. We represented two defendants who walked away from the case with their good characters intact.

We have such a wide range of experience of large/complex cases that we must be exceptional for a country practice as our workload has been more consistent with a large city specialist fraud practice.

Do not just take our word for our reputation. Chambers & Partners have always commented kindly about us and the Legal500 has been consistent in its recommendation of the firm.

We were the first firm of solicitors in Kent to qualify for the Legal Services Commission's (LSC) Serious Fraud Panel. The qualification procedures were extremely rigorous – for good reason. There were less than 200 qualifying firms in England and Wales. Most were to be found in the cities and large towns.

That rigorous procedure was abandoned by the LSC in favour of a more general panel of firms who are authorised to carry out such work for public funded cases. There are many firms now authorised to carry out this work notwithstanding they did not qualify under the 'old rules'.

When choosing your solicitor to assist in a large case you ought to make sure any firm you approach does have the experience and facilities to carry out that work thoroughly.

Nowadays any trial in the Crown Court is likely to be dealt with on legal aid. This is granted no matter what your means but there are quite large contributions demanded in many cases if the claimant is in occupation. Contributions should be returned in the event a defendant is not convicted.

To see more about this subject see our further notes.