Our experience in handling complex, cross-border investigations is increasingly important in the current climate of multi-jurisdictional collaboration between prosecuting agencies and regulators. In addition to defending in criminal proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and Court of Appeal, our criminal defence practice extends to challenging search warrants by way of judicial review in the High Court and providing advice and representation in relation to Unexplained Wealth Orders. We have significant insight into the way in which the relevant prosecuting authorities operate, with one of our barristers having previously prosecuted numerous criminal trials for the Crown Prosecution Service and HMRC and having spent time at the Serious Fraud Office investigating international bribery and corruption allegations and at the Financial Conduct Authority in connection with insider dealing and other financial crime.
Private prosecutions are being brought by individuals and corporates with increasing frequency, particularly in respect of complex, high-value fraud allegations which the under-resourced Crown Prosecution Service is unwilling or unable to prosecute. Our team is uniquely placed to investigate and prosecute such offences, with investigators, forensic accountants and other specialists guided by the advice, insight and trial strategy of experienced criminal law practitioners.
We routinely act for individuals who are concerned that a Red Notice might be issued against them or wish to challenge a Red Notice or other INTERPOL measure which has already been issued. We have the experience and skill to persuade INTERPOL not to issue a Red Notice in the first place or to delete such a measure once it has been published, particularly in cases which are politically or commercially motivated, and have successfully challenged such measures on numerous occasions.
We have regularly succeeded on behalf of high profile clients, including a former Head of State, in challenging financial sanctions imposed by the European Union. Since the UK left the European Union, we have also been instructed to provide advice and representation in connection with sanctions (asset freezes and travel bans) imposed by the UK Government.
