SERIOUS FRAUD PROSECUTIONS
Leading solicitors with decades of experience in serious fraud prosecutions
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is a specialist prosecuting authority dealing with the top level of serious or complex fraud, bribery and corruption. Often the offences investigated involve white collar crime and cases relating to market abuse or market manipulation.
When considering whether to authorise an investigation the SFO will consider the actual or intended harm that may be caused to:
- the public, or
- the reputation and integrity of the UK as an international financial centre, or
- the economy and prosperity of the UK
and whether the complexity and nature of the suspected offence necessitates the SFO’s involvement.
As you can see the SFO are a very specialised team of investigators. The SFO will only engage with cases that they feel merit their involvement. Once an investigation has begun the SFO will carry out both the investigation and, if applicable, the prosecution.
If you or your business are under investigation by the SFO, or are being prosecuted, it is essential that you get in touch with Walker Law Ltd as soon as possible. In many cases self-reporting can avoid criminal charges and deferred prosecution agreements can be entered into.
Our Director, Mr Alan Walker, has expertise and experience of defending and advising against Serious Fraud Office prosecutions and investigations. Where appropriate our firm will instruct counsel from top London Chambers to assist you from the very beginning.
Walker Law Ltd will advise you across a range of matters including:
- The initial investigation,
- Any interview under caution
- Forfeiture orders
- Deferred Prosecution Agreement
- Limiting Directors liability
Recent Cases
Police Station – R v K
Client arrested on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm following an incident at school. Client denied involvement in two interviews and police confirmed no further action would be taken.
R v B
Represented client alleged to be involved in large affray/fight between military personnel. Client successfully acquitted
R v B
Client charged with several sexual offences. Successfully negotiated a ‘plea deal’ with the SPA after expert psychologist evidence was obtained. An immediate prison sentence was avoided.
R v S
Represented client throughout a series of SIB interviews regards Army Benefit Fraud. Successfully persuaded the SPA not to charge the client and no further action taken
R v U
Reading Crown Court 2012, Junior Counsel led by QC, client acquitted of manslaughter
R v M
Reading Crown Court 2012, Junior Counsel of client accused of importing £12 million of drugs
R v W
Kingston Crown Court 2013, Client accused of 6 handed conspiracy to supply £5 million of cocaine
R v N
Isleworth Crown Court 2014, Client plead guilty to importation of disguised firearm, successfully won Newton Hearing. Client avoided the statutory mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years imprisonment and was sentence to a suspended prison sentence.
R v A
Reading Crown Court 2014, Client acquitted of high-profile child abduction of his own daughter to Egypt for two years.
R v B
Nottingham Crown Court 2016, Junior Counsel led by QC, client accused of high profile murder, rape, false imprisonment
R v Q
Reading Crown Court 2019, Client acquitted of murder
R v H
Reading Crown Court 2019 £1 million Fraud
R v A
Oxford Crown Court 2019, Client acquitted of attempted murder and S.18 GBH
R v S
Oxford Crown Court 2019 Client acquitted of multi handed robbery targeting jewellers armed with a gun.
R v S
Reading Crown Court 2020, Youth acquitted of multi-handed armed robbery, by a gang under surveillance by armed police.
R v C
Client charged with obtaining benefits dishonestly. Successfully argued that questions asked during application process had been incorrectly and unclearly worded and as such no dishonesty could be found
R v E
Youth client who was alleged to have committed an assault and affray. Denied in interview and argued that CCTV verified his account. No further action taken.
R v H
Client alleged to have abused his position of trust within a charity to use funds for his own gain. Interviewed twice and refused charge.
R v A
Client interviewed for an historic allegation of rape. Refused charge following interview.
R v K
Client interviewed having been accused of witness intimidation. Refused charge following interview.
R v W
Client interviewed on suspicion of drink driving, drug driving and careless driving. Provided account that he was medically unwell at the time of the accident and police confirmed they were taking no further action as it was not in the public interest to pursue a conviction.
R v C
Client charged twice with speeding where the offences were part of the same journey. Successful representations to the Crown to withdraw one of the charges. Client able to keep their licence.
R v D
Client charged with failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis. Client acquitted after trial having shown that she had made every effort to provide but was anxious which exacerbated an underlying health condition.
R v L
Client found asleep at the wheel of his parked car and over the drink drive limit. Acquitted after trial having demonstrated there was no likelihood of driving until fit to do so.
R v I
Client who pleaded guilty to speeding and therefore became a ‘totter’. Successfully argued that the client would suffer exceptional hardship if disqualified. Court allowed client to keep licence despite exceeding 12 penalty points.
Crown Court – R v Q
Client acquitted of murder
Crown Court – R v S
Client acquitted of multi handed robbery having allegedly targeted jewellers armed with a gun
Crown Court – R v S
Client was a youth who was acquitted of multi-handed armed robbery whilst involved with a gang who were under surveillance by armed police
Crown Court – R v A
Client charged with robbery. The matter proceeded to trial where detailed analysis of the CCTV and scrutiny of the complainant’s evidence saw a not guilty verdict being returned.
Magistrates’ Court – R v W
Client suffered from a number of serious mental health conditions and had been charged with public order offences. Successful representations to the Crown that pursuing a conviction was not in the public interest.
Magistrates’ Court – R v G
Client alleged to have assaulted their two brothers. Representations made that it was not in the public interest to proceed. Crown discontinued the case against R.
Magistrates’ Court – R v B and B
Clients were parents who were charged with failing to send their child to school contrary to Education Act 1996. Clients’ child suffered with serious medical issues. Acquitted at trial.
Magistrates’ Court – R v H
Client charged with intimidating a witness who had given evidence during Crown Court proceedings. Acquitted at trial.
Magistrates’ Court – R v G
Client was accused of an assault occasioning actual bodily harm which involved the use of a weapon. Client found to have acted in self-defence and was acquitted of all charges.
Magistrates’ Court – R v N
Client was a 16 year old foreign national charged with cultivation of cannabis. Defence showed that he was a victim of modern slavery. Not guilty verdict.
Police Station – R v M
Client accused of stalking their ex-partner. Interviewed on two occasions and then released without charge.
Police Station – R v K
Client accused of rape. Raised consent and provided phone evidence to the police. No further action taken.
Police Station – R v R
Client arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply cannabis. Police interview and no further action taken.
Police Station – R v S
Client had severe learning difficulties and was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder against his terminally ill mother. At the police station representations were successfully made that the client did not have the capacity to participate in a police interview and it would be unfair to question him. Investigation concluded and police took no further action.