Fraud and Financial Crime
Our expert team of business and financial crime lawyers is highly experienced in dealing with all types of allegations of fraud and financial crime.
We regularly offer comprehensive expert advice in relation to high-profile fraud investigations and prosecutions.
The business crime, investigations, and regulatory team at Gherson LLP is headed by Thomas Cattee, who previously worked at the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) as Lead Investigative Lawyer. The team therefore benefits from his unique insight, knowledge, and understanding of the inner workings of enforcement agencies, giving our clients an upper hand when facing probes by domestic as well as overseas prosecuting agencies.
Our experienced team advises a wide spectrum of clients facing all types of allegations of fraud and financial crime. Whenever an employee or a senior executive find themselves under the spotlight, we adopt a tactical and astute strategy, tailored to the requirements of each individual case. We have an enviable track record of services we provide to our clients, assisting with cases ranging from instances where losses are under £1 million, to cross-jurisdictional high-profile investigations involving allegations of multi-billion-pound losses. The team can offer further expert advice in any case with an international angle; moreover, should there be any concern or threat of extradition, our team of extradition experts are ready to assist.
Our involvement in some of the most notorious SFO cases in the last decade, including the LIBOR and Barclay Qatar cases, has enabled us to provide advice and assurances throughout any probe, and carefully prepare and guide clients through procedures, right from their outset, to secure a successful outcome.
Where the authorities decide to prosecute, we rely on our extensive defence and prosecution experience to offer the very best comprehensive and insightful advice. Our stellar reputation means that if a trial is unavoidable, we engage the very best Counsel at the top of their field.
Types of Financial Crime
Financial crime encompasses the following offences:
- fraud
- electronic crime
- money laundering
- terrorist financing
- bribery and corruption
- market abuse and insider dealing
- information security
When should I seek legal advice?
If you suspect that you or your organisation may have been involved in fraud or financial crime, you should seek legal advice immediately.
There are occasions where an ongoing investigation is first discovered, when the authorities come knocking on a door in the early hours, looking to execute a search warrant and conduct interviews under caution.
It is of paramount importance then to contact your legal representatives straight away to ensure that your defence is as robust as it can be.
Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs)
Our team of business and investigation experts have unparalleled experience in dealing with Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs).
As a result of its leading role in investigating and negotiating key aspects of the largest DPA to-date, the team is adept at navigating through this complex process, which requires expert knowledge of the relevant legislation.
Our team provides this legal know-how along with operational guidance, specialist negotiating skills, and expertly tailored assistance to our client-base of individuals and businesses of all sizes.
With experience spanning both private practice and in-house (at the enforcement agencies), the team has unrivalled knowledge of the DPA process and understanding of the considerations which will be applied by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
Our team is confident in advising clients to self-report, where necessary, and to apply for Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 (SOCPA) agreements.
We are strong believers that prevention is better than cure; as such, we regularly provide advice and training to organisations on anti-money laundering, anti-bribery and corruption compliance.
