DAWN RAIDS

DAWN RAIDS: IMMEDIATE LEGAL SUPPORT FOR INDIVIDUALS

A dawn raid by regulatory or law enforcement authorities can be an overwhelming and disruptive experience. These unannounced visits are often part of investigations into alleged financial crime, fraud or regulatory breaches. At Gherson, we provide immediate legal support and expert advice to help you navigate this critical situation and protect your rights. Gherson have extensive experience in advising individuals from the moment their property is raided and have achieved positive results for clients in this situation.

WHAT IS A DAWN RAID?

A dawn raid is an unannounced search of a home, business or property conducted by regulatory bodies or law enforcement agencies, such as:

• Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• National Crime Agency (NCA)
• HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC)

The purpose of a dawn raid is to gather evidence in relation to suspected offences, including fraud, money laundering, insider trading or breaches of financial regulations.

HOW GHERSON CAN HELP DURING A DAWN RAID

Our experienced team provides strategic legal advice and representation during and after a dawn raid, including:

1. Immediate Response
   • Ensuring your legal rights are respected during the search.
   • Challenging any procedural errors or unlawful conduct by investigators.
2. Document Review and Protection
   • Monitoring the seizure of documents, devices or data to ensure compliance with legal limitations.
   • Advising on privileged materials that may be protected from seizure.
3. Representation During Interviews
   • Preparing for and representing you in any interviews conducted during or after the raid.
   • Strategic advice on your right to remain silent or to respond to questions.
4. Post-Raid Support
   • Analysing the legality of the raid and challenging improper actions through judicial review if necessary.
   • Providing defence against any allegations or charges resulting from the raid.

YOUR RIGHTS DURING A DAWN RAID

Understanding your rights during a dawn raid is critical to protecting your interests:

• Legal Representation: You have the right to contact a lawyer immediately.
• Privilege: Certain documents, such as legal advice, may be protected by legal privilege and cannot be seized.
• Fair Treatment: Investigators must act lawfully and proportionately, respecting your rights throughout the process.

WHY CHOOSE GHERSON?

Expertise in Dawn Raids: Our team has extensive experience representing individuals during and after dawn raids, searches and seizures, including:

• Representing an individual who was subject to an NCA raid at his property as part of an NCA investigation into alleged sanctions violations. Following a judicial review, the warrant was rendered unlawful and the NCA had to settle the clients costs and payments pursuant to their trespass of his property.
• Providing expertise on related account freezing orders imposed and therefore advising on the interplay between the sanctions and the POCA regimes.
• Advising on a matter that has been subject to proceedings before the Westminster Magistrates’ Court and then judicial review proceedings at the High Court.
• Representing an individual who was arrested and whose house had been subjected to a search initiated by the NCA. The arrest and search were carried out in connection with various offences, including financial crime.

Immediate Support: We are available to provide urgent legal advice whenever you need it.

Strategic Defence: We develop tailored strategies to minimise the impact of a raid and protect your rights.

Cross-Border Expertise: With experience in multi-jurisdictional investigations, we handle cases involving international enforcement bodies.

WHEN TO CONTACT US

If you or your property have been subjected to a dawn raid, it is critical to seek legal advice immediately. Early intervention can help:

• Mitigate the impact of the raid.
• Ensure your rights are respected.
• Build a robust defence against any allegations.

CONTACT US

If you are facing a dawn raid or need legal representation during an investigation, contact Gherson today. Our expert team is available to provide immediate advice and protect your rights.