Criminal and financial crime

Financial crime, investigations and litigation

An array of fiat currencies including Euros, Dollars, Pound Sterling alongside a Bitcoin representative coin. Financial crime solicitors.

Introduction and overview

We advise both individuals and corporate organisations on investigations and prosecutions into financial or business related crime.

The consequences of being investigated for an alleged financial crime can be severe, wide-ranging and immediate. Prosecuting agencies using ever increasing investigator powers may carry out raids and arrests, or obtain draconian court orders with little or no warning.

We can advise from the very outset of an investigation, from the initial search and seizure, arrests and interviews, and throughout any subsequent Court Proceedings. We also advise on ancillary proceedings, and in particular Restraint Orders, World-Wide Freezing Orders, Account Freezing Orders and Production Orders.

How our criminal and financial crime solicitors can help you

Key services offered

We defend individuals, such as company directors, professionals, solicitors and accountants as well as defending and advising corporate organisations.

We have defended in cases involving:

  • VAT frauds
  • mortgage frauds
  • tax evasion
  • fraudulent trading
  • MTIC (missing intra-community fraud)/carousel frauds
  • insurance fraud
  • crypto-currency related investigations
  • large scale money laundering investigations
  • bribery and Corruption
  • large scale confiscation proceedings

We have also defended in cases brought by all the prime investigatory bodies, including:

  • The Serious Fraud Office
  • The Financial Conduct Authority
  • His Majesty’s Customs and Revenue Economic Crime Unit
  • National Crime Agency
  • Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Economic, Organised Crime and International Directorate
  • Department for Trade and Industry (now Department for Business and Trade)
  • Office of Fair Trading
  • Department for Work and Pensions and other Government departments

We advise at all stages of the process, from the initial seizure of material and interview under caution, through to trial. We also advise in relation to ancillary proceedings, in particular Restraint Orders and Account and World-wide Freezing Orders, which can have a devastating impact on individuals and families if not responded to and challenged where possible. We advise individuals who are the subject of notices issued by the Serious Fraud Office under s2 Criminal Justice Act 1987. 

We also advise on compliance with anti-money laundering and other financial sector regulations.

Why choose Russell-Cooke for financial crime, investigations and litigation?

About our criminal and financial crime team

We have a team of dedicated and experienced lawyers in this field. We ensure that every client’s case is handled by an appropriately experienced solicitor. If a number of lawyers are required to work on a case in a team, we nonetheless ensure that our client still maintains access to and contact with the lead lawyer in the case throughout. Our clients are not part of a “conveyor belt” and we appreciate that communication with the leading lawyers in the case is key.

We ensure that clear, practical and strategic advice is given at the outset. We scrutinise evidence so that “no stone is left unturned” and defend each of our clients’ interests forensically and fearlessly. 

Our financial crime, investigations and litigation experience

Recent cases have included:

  • representing an individual in a prosecution for alleged multi-million pound fraud by abuse of position
  • representing an individual in an investigation for alleged multi-million pound crypto-currency related offences
  • representing high net worth individuals in relation to Account Freezing Orders
  • advising individuals in relation the application of Money Laundering Terrorist Financing and Transfer of Funds Regulations 2017 to their business activities
  • representing an individual in relation to an investigation into alleged multi-million cross-border tax evasion and associated civil proceedings
  • representing a company in relation to cross-border asset realisation and recovery following misappropriation by one of its employees of over £100 million
  • advising a group of companies under investigation by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade under the Companies Act
  • advising the CEO of a foreign-based company in relation to allegations of multi-million pound fraud, and associated Mutual Legal Assistance issues
  • representing an individual prosecuted by HMRC for alleged multi-million pound fraud by abuse of position involving alleged misappropriation of stamp duty arising from property transactions
  • advising a company property regarding money laundering compliance

Testimonials and legal directory quotes

We are ranked in Legal 500 and Chambers for our expertise. Here are some comments made about us.

Russell-Cooke LLP‘s general crime team is praised by clients for its ‘communication, professionalism and engagement‘, and regularly assists high-profile clients in cases with high public interest.
The Legal 500 (2024)
Fran Murray has an outstanding background in white collar fraud and financial regulatory work. She is frighteningly hard-working, hugely perceptive and strategically no-nonsense in tackling the most complex of cases.
The Legal 500 (2024)
Martin Rackstraw is one of the most reliable, organised and prepared solicitors I've worked with
Chambers UK (2024)

Charging information

Most of the work that we carry out is privately funded, and we are able to offer competitive hourly rates and overall fees, without compromising the quality of our representation. At the beginning of your case, we’ll explain the funding options with you in order to put in place a funding package that is affordable and manageable.

Get in touch

If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our criminal and financial crime solicitors by email, by telephone on +44 (0)20 3826 7521 or complete our enquiry form.

Related insights

The latest news and insights from our criminal and financial crime team

News

13.06.2024

Four Russell-Cooke partners recommended in Spear's 500 2024

Russell-Cooke is delighted to announce that four partners across our family and children and criminal and financial crime teams have been recognised in Spear's 500...
Fiona Read, Partner, Russell-Cooke Solicitors, Family team Kate Hamilton, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, family and children team. Family and children partner - Katie Longmate | Russell-Cooke Frances Murrey, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, crime and financial team.
Multiple Authors
1 min Read
Fiona Read, Kate Hamilton, Katie Longmate, Frances Murray
News

06.03.2024

Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023—latest update

Following publication of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 Regulations on 29 February...
Frances Murrey, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, crime and financial team. Russell-Cooke Solicitors staff photograph. Silhouette of a female team member against the backdrop of an office with a soft focus effect. Edward Griffin
Multiple Authors
4 min Read
Frances Murray, Emily Russell, Edward Griffin
News

05.02.2024

I have been served with an Account Freezing Order—what happens to my UK visa?

Partner Frances Murray and associate Emily Russell from financial crime along with immigration associate Harry Yu explore the...
Frances Murrey, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, crime and financial team. Russell-Cooke Solicitors staff photograph. Silhouette of a female team member against the backdrop of an office with a soft focus effect. Harry Yu Edward Griffin
Multiple Authors
8 min Read
Frances Murray, Emily Russell, Harry Qiu Yu Yu, Edward Griffin
View all News & Insights