Business Crime Solicitors
in London & Birmingham

As Featured In

With years of experience behind us, our team of business crime solicitors ensures that from the first moment you contact us, the right measures are taken to defend your business from current and future allegations. Our legal experts will act on your behalf to manage communication with all parties involved, from local authorities to government bodies and the media.

We also provide urgent 24-hour assistance at police stations, so please don’t hesitate to contact our business crime solicitors in London, Birmingham and Nottingham on 0300 303 2071 any time of day or night. 

Note that our criminal law services do not come with a no-win, no-fee option. For insights into our pricing, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

How Our Business Crime Solicitors Can Help

Our business crime solicitors in London, Birmingham and Northampton regularly advise clients on a range of ‘’white-collar crimes’’, including but not limited to:

It is fair to say that police interviews can be daunting and stressful. But the good news is that you do not have to face interviews with the police alone. Our lawyers will help you prepare and be by your side throughout the process. 

If your company has failed to prevent crimes committed by an employee, such as tax evasion, bribery and money laundering, your business may be liable. Our solicitors can also advise and represent your company through these investigations. 

But we do more than just de-escalate investigations. We will advise on policies and procedures to prevent crimes from taking place in the future, as well as risk assessments, due diligence, auditing, monitoring and regulatory inspections. Not to mention, we can help you understand your obligations under the Bribery Act 2010 and Criminal Finances Act 2017, as well as anti-money laundering legislation.

Even if your business is not facing any ongoing investigations, we can still help you prepare for potential investigations, putting a robust plan in place to minimise any disruption to your business and damage to your reputation.

Regulatory or Police Action

Our Business Crime Solicitors regularly assist directors, employees and individuals, through what can be a very stressful experience of facing regulatory or police action. We specialise in defending all allegations of dishonesty, from large complex frauds to smaller matters such as mortgage fraud.

Our team of legal experts offers 24-hour police station assistance and works to ensure business continuity in the face of regulatory intervention. We provide practical advice to help you stay on the right side of the government regulator.

Business Crime Investigations

Business crime investigations usually begin with an internal investigation, during which companies may attempt to distance themselves from any potential wrongdoing by focusing the responsibility on an individual in the organisation. In such cases, we offer legal advice on both your professional and personal rights as well as how to best protect your reputation.

Criminal investigations can also be instigated without notice by law enforcement or government bodies. External investigations may include actions such as assets freezing, dawn raids and seizing business operations. To protect your business and avoid self-incrimination, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible. 

During the course of a business crime investigation, Witan Solicitors will represent you in communication with various agencies, gather evidence and advise you on the best course of action to achieve a positive outcome swiftly. 

Challenging Decisions Made Against You

We are fully committed to defending and upholding your fundamental human rights and are experienced in successfully challenging the decision of Courts and local authorities, Police Constabularies and other public bodies, as well as challenging Enhanced Disclosure Certificates following a DBS request.

Media and Press Releases Management

As part of our commitment to protecting the future of your organisation, we can deal with broadcasters, print and TV media on your behalf to protect your personal and business reputation in the face of business crime allegations.  

Types of Business Crime

Common types of business crime include:

Who We Can Help

Based in Northampton, Birmingham and London our business crime solicitors have successfully helped clients from different industries, including:

• Employees and senior managers
• Directors and business owners
• National and international corporations
• Owner-managed businesses (OMBs)
• Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• Public limited companies (PLCs)
• Non-profit organisations and charities

Why Choose Witan Solicitors

At Witan Solicitors, we take a commercially minded approach to ensure that both you, your business and your reputation are protected when dealing with business crime allegations. With a multi-disciplinary team of solicitors and advocates, we can help you throughout the entire investigation and prosecution process, from advising during police interviews to representing you in court. We excel at cross-examining, challenging case theories and presenting cases in court.

At the outset, we will explore every option to minimise the impact on your business and determine the best course of action. We understand that businesses in different sectors will be subject to different laws and regulations. That is why we always provide sector-specific advice so your business can achieve a favourable outcome swiftly without unnecessary costs.

Choosing our legal team to represent you guarantees: 

• 100+ years of experience 
• Law firm recognised by Legal 500
• Practical, jargon-free legal advice
• Media and PR representation
• 24-hours police station assistance
• Free, initial consultation 
• Business crime solicitors in London, Northampton and Birmingham

FAQ

What is a business crime?

Business crime or “white-collar crime” is a nonviolent crime committed by a corporate employee or a business in the course of their work. White-collar crimes can range from forgery, fraud and money laundering to bribery, tax fraud, embezzlement and intellectual property infringement.

Who can prosecute a business?

Criminal proceedings of business crimes may involve a variety of legal and government bodies, including:

• Local Police Authorities 
• Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
• Financial Services Authority (FSA)
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• HMRC Special Compliance Office
• National Crime Agency (NCA)

Witan Solicitors offer guidance and support throughout the proceedings from handling the investigation to defending your rights during prosecution proceedings, regardless of which government agency is involved in your case. 

How is corporate criminal liability established?

Corporate liability can be established in different ways depending on the type of liability claimed. The main two principles are:

• Vicarious liability– This is a secondary type of liability where intent, dishonesty or knowledge on your behalf are not required. For example, this applies to situations where a director is held responsible for the actions committed by a subordinate in the course of their employment. In this case, the prosecution only needs to show proof that an offence has been committed (e.g example non-compliance with industry health and safety regulations)
• Identification principle (non-vicarious liability) – To prove criminal liability in this type of offence, the prosecution must identify a “directing mind and will” (DMW), or in other words, to prove that the company has intentionally acted in a dishonest and/or unlawful manner to commit the offence in question. 

There are only three exceptions to the above principles and they cover the following types of business crime which are regulated by separate legislation:

• Failure to prevent bribery (Bribery Act 2010)
• Failure to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion (Criminal Finances Act 2017)
• Corporate manslaughter (Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007)

What is Business Crime Legislation?

The main legislation governing business crime includes:

• The Companies Act 2006 is one of the main pieces of legislation related to company law in the UK that contains over 1,300 sections related to how a business should lawfully operate. It includes a series of criminal offences that can be committed by both the company and its directors
• The Bribery Act 2010 (Bribery Act) is an act aimed at company directors and individuals, highlighting all the liability risks. It aims to help businesses strengthen their internal anti-bribery policies and other systems in order to further avoid any corporate liability for bribery
• The Company Directors Disqualification Act 1986 includes a series of procedures aimed at company directors for being disqualified in certain circumstances of misconduct

What penalties could I be facing if found guilty of a business crime?