Serious Fraud

Duncan Lewis Fraud Solicitors – Serious Fraud

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is responsible for investigating cases involving serious fraud offences such as high-value fraud, criminal gangs carrying out fraud, compliance breaches resulting in fraud, and bribery and corruption.

Serious fraud may also involve high-value or organised crime relating to:

• Benefit fraud
• Council tax fraud
• Financial fraud
• Housing or property fraud
• Identity fraud
• Immigration fraud
• Insurance fraud
• Investment fraud
• Mortgage fraud

SFO investigations are thorough and can cause immense stress and intrusion into a business or an individual’s life and reputations and business relationships may be irreparably damaged.

Serious fraud convictions carry long custodial sentences and it is usual for a confiscation order to be issued under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover any monies accumulated as a result of serious fraud.

Our fraud solicitors can advise on serious fraud charges even before a charge is brought or if there is a possibility that an allegation of serious fraud will be made and an investigation launched under the Fraud Act 2006.

A criminal defence lawyer from the Duncan Lewis fraud department can attend an interview under caution to offer representation to those facing serious fraud charges. We can also liaise with agencies involved in investigating serious fraud, including:

• City of London Police
• Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
• Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)
• Federation Against Copyright Theft
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
• Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
• National Crime Agency (NCA)
• Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
• Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
• Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) Fraud and Confidential Intelligence Bureau
• Trading Standards

Duncan Lewis fraud solicitors have considerable expertise in high-value crime cases and cross-border serious fraud cases.

Duncan Lewis Serious Fraud Solicitors – Our reputation for excellence

Duncan Lewis' Crime department has been recognised as a Top Tier and recommended criminal defence practice by Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500 edition for its General Crime and Fraud work.

Our fraud solicitors have acknowledged expertise in case building based on a sound knowledge of the criminal justice system and the ability to assemble compelling evidence and documentation in serious fraud cases.

Our lawyers are able to represent clients at police stations, Magistrates’ Courts, Crown Courts, and the Court of Appeal. The team also includes highly experienced Higher Court Advocates with a background in conducting serious fraud cases.

Duncan Lewis Fraud Solicitors – How to contact us

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our fraud lawyers can usually reach a client at a police station or court within 45 minutes to advise on serious fraud charges.

We aim for the best possible outcome for clients facing fraud charges – call us during office hours on 0333 772 0409 for expert legal advice on serious fraud or an SFO investigation.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 0333 772 0607.

Duncan Lewis Fraud Solicitors – When to contact us

We advise clients who are facing fraud charges – or who may be interviewed in relation to serious fraud allegations – to contact us as soon as possible.

Our fraud solicitors can advise even before a charge for serious fraud is brought and a solicitor from our specialist fraud department can attend a police station fraud interview conducted by the police, Serious Fraud Office or HMRC.

Duncan Lewis Fraud Solicitors – Legal Aid & Private Client – Serious Fraud

Duncan Lewis is a leading provider of Legal Aid criminal defence services. Legal Aid is means tested and may only be available in certain circumstances, our team can advise further on this at the initial client meeting.

Our team can advise further on Legal Aid at the initial client meeting.

In cases where a client may not be eligible for Legal Aid, we offer competitively priced fee levels for private client representation – with fixed fees and advance notice of any costs whenever possible.

In some criminal cases, 'after the event' (ATE) insurance may be an option and our lawyers will advise on an appropriate level of insurance to cover the potential costs of defending a criminal case and to pay any costs imposed by the court.

Call Duncan Lewis Fraud Solicitors to discuss serious fraud charges on 0333 772 0409.