Mutual Legal Assistance
Mutual Legal Assistance can be used to seek the enforcement of judgments, asset freezes and confiscation orders worldwide and often involve requests for evidence or witness statements.
Our team of highly respected lawyers have vast experience in acting for clients, be they individuals or their businesses, having such orders and requests against them.
Our team members have often worked alongside major investigative agencies (such as the French PNF and the Department of Justice) on some of the most complex multi-jurisdictional investigations to date. In fact, Thomas Cattee managed and issued a whole range of mutual legal assistance requests when he worked at the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) as their Lead Investigative Lawyer.
At the SFO, Thomas advised the prosecuting agency on the relevant legal aspects and conducted and coordinated a range of overseas investigative steps across numerous jurisdictions whilst working in corroboration with overseas prosecuting agencies.
With experience gained whilst working in a joint investigation team alongside an overseas investigating and prosecuting agency, the Gherson team has unrivalled insight into investigations of global allegations of bribery and corruption. We are therefore has well equipped with the know-how to successfully challenge these measures and to robustly ensure that the correct due process is followed in our clients’ best interest.
Our team of business crime experts dispenses high quality legal and strategic advice to individuals and businesses under investigation in relation to allegations of money laundering offences and being in possession of the proceeds of crime.
International Interviews
We understand how stressful being interviewed by the authorities can be. This is particularly so when being interviewed by foreign agencies.
Our team of experts recognise the importance of adopting the best legal strategy during the interview, as this can have a profound impact on both the progress and the result of an investigation or subsequent prosecution.
Thomas Cattee, ex-SFO Lead Investigative Lawyer, heads our team of defence lawyers. His unique insight into the inner workings of prosecuting agencies, both domestic and foreign, is unrivalled, having sat on the other side of the table alongside them.
We offer unparalleled extensive advice regarding all aspects of interviews conducted by investigating, prosecuting, and regulating agencies, including those conducted voluntarily. We regularly manage interview processes in multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency investigations and provide a bespoke interview strategy, built upon a deep understanding on how the product of any interview will affect the development and potential outcome of a client’s case.
Whether attending interviews under caution, or voluntarily, it would be wise to seek counsel at an early stage. Decisions made here can determine whether a person is released without charge or prosecuted for offences. Where a decision to prosecute is made, events at the interview stage can shape whether the case ends with a conviction or an acquittal.
