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Serious Fraud

For specialist serious fraud and business crime defence services, look no further than our team of criminal defence experts. We tackle allegations of complex and high value fraud head-on, defending our clients’ rights, liberty and reputation.

As one of the top criminal defence firms in the North West of England, you can trust our serious fraud solicitors to provide the legal advice and guidance you need.

We handle a wide range of serious fraud investigations and prosecutions brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Serious Fraud Office (SFO), National Crime Agency (NCA), HMRC and many other prosecuting authorities.

We are members of the Serious Fraud Panel, with particular expertise handling what are known as Very High Costs Cases (VHCC). Such cases can involve hundreds, even thousands, of pages of evidence, expert witness testimony and lengthy trials. Having a specialist with the right experience in these cases is therefore essential.

As well as our first class legal advice and representation, we will lend a listening ear and attentively support you throughout this stressful time.

High profile fraud cases can attract media attention which may be a big concern for you. Many of our clients have never faced the criminal justice system before and so are often afraid of the impact of the proceedings on their personal and professional life.

We are experienced in reputation management for people facing such allegations, helping them keep the situation as private as possible to protect their individual interests as well as the privacy of their family and friends.

As a result of our quality service, our criminal lawyers are in the top 10 firms nationally, based on independent client feedback at Review Solicitors.

Get in touch with our serious fraud solicitors

If you or someone you know needs fast, expert criminal law advice and defence at the police station, during investigation or at court, get in touch with our serious fraud solicitors in Liverpool, Runcorn or Warrington.

Call 03444 124348 | Ask us a Question

For urgent out of hours matters call FREEPHONE 0808 196 1790

We can travel across the country to assist people at the police station, place of detention or at court. Our lawyers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Our police station representation service is free of charge. It is your legal right to have representation at the police station.

We advise that you do not answer the police’s questions until we are by your side to help you – give us a call before you go to the police station or (if you’re arrested) tell the police you want to talk to your solicitor at Bell Lamb & Joynson.

This includes if you have been invited for a voluntary interview under caution – these interviews are not as casual as they might first appear.

Remember, anything you say during a police interview or place of detention could be used to charge you or as evidence in court.

How our serious fraud lawyers can help you

Whatever stage of the criminal process you are at, our expert team of court advocates, police station representatives and duty solicitors are here to help. We can assist you:

With general advice, if you are concerned about becoming the subject of a criminal investigation or prosecution.
With advice and support at the police station or place of detention if you are arrested or invited for a voluntary interview under caution.
During criminal investigations.
At court, including the Magistrates Court, Crown Court and appeal courts.

We can assist with a wide range of fraud offences, including:

‘Fraud Act’ offences, including:
- Fraud by false representation
- Fraud by failing to disclose information
- Fraud by abuse of position
- Possessing or making articles for use in fraud (such as computer software or the personal data for identity theft)
False accounting
Credit card fraud
Money laundering
Bribery and corruption
Insider trading and market abuse
Tax evasion, such as VAT fraud and income tax fraud
Benefits fraud
Mortgage fraud
Pensions fraud
Insurance fraud
Conspiracy to defraud
Ponzi schemes and fraudulent investment schemes
Boiler room fraud
NHS fraud
Corporate fraud and prosecution of companies
Proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (PoCA), including defence against Freezing Orders/Restraint Orders and Confiscation Orders
Any other fraud offence

We handle investigations and prosecutions by any type of prosecuting authority, including:

Specialist Fraud Division of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
National Crime Agency (NCA)
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)
NHS Protect
Any other prosecuting authority

Why choose us to defend allegations of serious fraud?

As one of top Criminal Law teams in the country according to client reviews and case volume, you can trust us to do our best for you.

Visit our Criminal Law Solicitors page for more information about our reviews, skills and accreditations.

Serious fraud FAQs

What is serious fraud?

Serious fraud is a term used to describe complex and often high value cases of fraud, such as large scale fraud conspiracies, corporate fraud and white collar crime.

Who investigates and prosecutes serious fraud?

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) takes a leading role in prosecuting these crimes. The CPS also has a dedicated Specialist Fraud Division dedicated to dealing with the most complex and difficult economic crime cases.

Other authorities and agencies such as the National Crime Agency, HMRC and NHS Protect are also responsible for investigating serious fraud. These cases will usually then be referred to the SFO or CPS Specialist Fraud Division for prosecution.

What should you do if you are invited for a voluntary interview under caution?

If you are invited for a voluntary interview under caution, the first step you should take is to contact a solicitor who specialises in serious fraud.

We know that receiving notice that you may be suspected of a serious fraud offence can be daunting, but never be tempted to go through the process alone. Even though you are not under arrest, anything you say or do while being interviewed under caution can be used in a decision to charge you or as evidence at court.

You are entitled to legal advice while being interviewed under caution, and our police station representatives can offer this service free of charge. So, there is no downside to giving us a call and asking us to represent you.

What are the penalties for being convicted of serious fraud?

This depends on the type of offence and seriousness of the allegations at hand. The maximum sentence you can receive will usually be a prison sentence (typically up to 10 years in prison) and a hefty fine (unlimited if prosecuted in the Crown Court).

Depending on the circumstances, there may also be other punishments. For example, company directors may be disqualified from running or being associated with a company for up to 15 years.

There may also be proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (PoCA) to freeze your assets and/or confiscate money and property that you allegedly acquired through criminal activity or that is to be used for alleged criminal activity.

Can companies be prosecuted for fraud?

Companies may be prosecuted alongside individual suspects such as directors, employees or shareholders.

We can also defend companies in cases of corporate prosecutions, so get in touch for tailored advice.

Get in touch with our serious fraud defence solicitors

If you or someone you know needs fast, expert criminal law advice and defence at the police station, during investigation or at court, get in touch with our criminal defence solicitors in in Liverpool, Runcorn or Warrington.

Call 03444 124348 | Ask us a Question

For urgent out of hours matters call FREEPHONE 0808 196 1790

We regularly travel across the country to assist people at the police station or at court. Our lawyers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.