White collar crime

Kennedys has a number of specialist lawyers with extensive experience of advising clients in connection with issues concerning white collar crime.

The team has many years experience dealing with high-profile large criminal cases, predominantly but not exclusively, in the business defence world.

Our experience

The team has wide and extensive experience of defending professionals and businessmen/women in proceedings related to:

• Fraud
• Corporate manslaughter
• Money laundering and tax evasion
• Financial Services Authority investigations and disciplinary proceedings
• Insolvency offences

We have experience of dealing with prosecutions brought by the police, NCIS, SFO, DTI, Inland Revenue, HM Customs and Excise and the NHS Counter Fraud Service.

Kennedys undertakes white collar criminal work both privately and in some cases publicly funded. Kennedys is a member of the Specialist Fraud Panel.

The team has considerable experience of dealing with the many investigating authorities and regularly represents businessmen/women at interviews under caution. These interviews are held at police stations. They are also experienced in dealing with interviews by other regulatory and prosecuting bodies such as the Inland Revenue, HM Customs and Excise and the NHS Counter Fraud Service. All such interviews require extensive and specialised preparation, particularly as the prosecuting authorities are also becoming far more proficient in investigating these types of cases. The most crucial part of any case can often be the early parts prior to any decision being made to proceed.

We also have considerable experience in conducting proceedings before the Magistrates’ Courts, the Crown Courts and the Court of Appeal Criminal Division when charges have been brought. Recent experience includes:

• Advising four employees of a multi-national company under investigation by the National Crime Squad on suspicion of money laundering and failure to disclose
• Representing two accountancy firms on separate matters under suspicion of committing serious fraud against the Inland Revenue where interviews under the Hansard procedure have been offered
• Advising a well-known estate agent on requirements under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
• Representing a consultant surgeon in connection with a fraud investigation by the Counter Fraud Service

The team is part of Kennedys' Workplace Group bringing together lawyers expert in workplace issues and disputes including employment, health and safety, white collar crime, civil fraud, FSA and environment.