White Collar Crime

Overview

“White collar crime” is used to refer to crimes that are non-violent in nature, often financially motivated and typically committed by individuals in professional roles.

Involvement in a regulatory, financial, or business crime investigation can have serious implications, including significant costs, time pressures, and damage to your reputation. Therefore, if you’re facing allegations of white-collar crime, you need the very best legal representation. At HHD Solicitors, our expertise as a multidisciplinary practice puts us in a great position to represent you in these cases.

Our team has a history of successfully defending corporate clients or individuals for fraud or regulatory breaches in both the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court. Our proven track record and close working relationships with specialist counsel, forensic accountants, and expert witnesses ensure that you have the strongest defence possible.

Our White Collar Crime Services include:

• Fraud and financial crime
• Cybercrime
• Corporate manslaughter
• Regulatory law

Fraud

Investigations into companies and individuals, involving bodies such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Department for Business Innovation and Skills and the National Crime Agency, are becoming increasingly common. As a result, allegations of fraud are coming to light more frequently.

We work closely with clients at every stage of proceedings, and have demonstrated success in using early intervention to bring investigations to a halt before charges are brought.

Should prosecutions proceed, our team are experts in cases involving serious fraud and the Bribery Act. We work closely with our litigation department, which offers a depth of service and understanding that very few firms can compete with. Our experience in dealing with confiscation proceedings, restraint orders, and issues such as hidden assets or tainted gifts, can significantly temper the outcome.

Cybercrime

In a digital world, it is increasingly common for people to find themselves embroiled in the Criminal Justice System having been accused of inappropriate use of the internet.

Cybercrime includes hacking, ransomware and phishing attacks and online fraud, but can also refer to allegations of distributing, manufacturing or being in possession of indecent images.

If you face allegations of cybercrime, our team of solicitors have a wealth of experience in dealing with cases of this nature. Where necessary, we work alongside a team of qualified experts who can examine your computers, phones and tech equipment using the latest techniques, helping us to advise on the strength of the case against you, and provide you with strong, effective representation.

A notable success in this area was HHD’s work on Operation Ore, during which hundreds of people worldwide were arrested and accused of downloading indecent images. Our team successfully defended several businessmen who had been wrongly accused, establishing that their credit card details had been used fraudulently.

Corporate Manslaughter

The introduction of the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 has changed how workplace fatalities are investigated and prosecuted.

Employers and companies may now face criminal prosecution if breaches of your duty of care or management failures contribute to the death of an employee in the workplace. Companies unfortunate enough to face these proceedings can expect a lengthy investigation involving both the police and Health and Safety Executive NI, and you will need strong legal advice in order to navigate this situation.

At HHD Solicitors, our expert team is on hand to provide professional advice from the very earliest stage of the investigation. We offer 24/7 support, 365 days a year, to respond to urgent queries.

Regulatory Law

White collar crime can also be defined as violations of regulatory law. Some matters in the workplace may not violate criminal or civil laws, but may violate a certain occupation’s regulatory laws – these can vary according to the workplace and can be complex in nature, which is why it is so important to seek legal advice from the outset.

Examples of breaches of regulatory law include, but are not limited to:

• Breaches of equality legislation
• Breaches of consumer protection or trading standards
• Breaches of the Companies Act, e.g. failure to file accounts or providing false information
• Breaches of environmental legislation

Why Choose HHD?

• Proven track record in white-collar crime defence
• Early intervention to minimise the risk of prosecution
• Strong working relationships with forensic experts and specialist counsel
• Practical, prompt, and thorough advice, tailored to your case
• 24/7 availability for urgent matters