Why instruct Rahman Ravelli? We have a reputation as serious fraud solicitors and for pro-active defending.
Serious fraud is one of Rahman Ravelli’s major areas of expertise. Our robust, pro-active representation of corporates, senior executives and high net worth individuals ensures they have the best defence available to them; whether it be a national or international case. It has also ensured our success in managing some of the most significant global fraud investigations.
We have been involved in the most prominent white-collar crime cases this century and have an impressive track record in multi-jurisdictional, high-profile investigations.
At Rahman Ravelli, all of our serious fraud lawyers have extensive experience of dealing with the various agencies that conduct fraud investigations both in the UK and across the globe. These include:
Fraud allegations can be damaging to a company and an individual. Immediate and appropriate action has to be taken once a problem becomes apparent. The right legal expertise is essential.
Rahman Ravelli provides that expertise to protect your rights and your business. We make sure that every client suffers the minimum of stress and discomfort and is kept fully informed of all developments.
We regularly receive instructions on serious cases alleging anything from multi-million-pound fraud, money laundering and tax fraud through to mortgage and property fraud, investment fraud and boiler room operations.
By tailoring a legal team to each client, using our extensive experience of dealing with national and international investigating agencies and analysing evidence, we are able to handle every case carefully and tactically. Our skill, persistence and negotiating abilities make us the logical choice for a client who wants to achieve the best possible outcome.
Our track record in global and high-profile cases shows that we obtain the highest levels of success for those we represent; no matter how determined the prosecuting agencies are to gain a conviction. Our work on some of the world’s major corruption cases has earned us an enviable reputation and associations with some of the most highly-regarded legal practices around the globe.
And that track record covers all types of fraud cases.
Business crime — sometimes called corporate crime or white-collar crime — encompasses criminal offences committed in a commercial context. It includes fraud, bribery and corruption, money laundering, market abuse, tax evasion, cybercrime, insider dealing, and a wide range of regulatory offences. Cases often involve complex financial structures, large volumes of documentary evidence, and multiple suspects across different jurisdictions.
A range of agencies have jurisdiction depending on the nature of the alleged offending. These include the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the National Crime Agency (NCA), HMRC, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), and the police. In many serious cases, multiple agencies will work in parallel, and there may be concurrent investigations by overseas authorities such as the US Department of Justice.
Common business crime offences include: Fraud, such as invoicing fraud or investment fraud. Economic crimes also include embezzlement and false accounting, suuch as altering financial records or uusing corporate assets for personal gain. Bribery and corruption also falls within the umbrella of corporate crimes. Other common business crimes include money laundering, and tax evasion. More recent additions include the corporate offences of failing to prevent fraud and failing to prevent bribery.
Yes. Companies are viewed by the law as a separate legal person and can be prosecuted for a wide range of criminal offences. There are three ways a corporate can be prosecuted for a criminal offence committed by those acting on its behalf: (1) If Parliament has created a specific criminal offence for corporates, such as under the Bribery Act 2010 or the Criminal Finances Act 2017; (2) Through vicarious liability, which is generally used for regulatory offences that don’t require proof of fault; and (3) When someone who can be said to be the “directing mind and will” of a corporate commits the offence. However, the corporate offences of failing to prevent bribery and failing to prevent fraud impose liability more broadly, without requiring identification of a specific individual wrongdoer within the company.
A DPA is an agreement between the prosecutor (the Serious Fraud Office or the Crown Prosecution Service) and a company. When agreement is reached, prosecution is deferred provided the company meets certain conditions. Usually these conditions include the payment of a financial penalty, cooperation with ongoing investigations, implementation of compliance improvements, and payment of the prosecutor's costs. To be considered for a DPA, your company must meet baseline criteria, including that you have been genuinely coopoerative. The prosecutor has discretion to decide whether or not the company has bee cooperative, but it follows SFO Cooperation Guidance. DPAs are only available for applicable offences listed under Schedle 17 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013, such as fraud, bribery, money laundering, or false accounting.
You should seek specialist legal advice immediately, before responding to any communications from investigators or making any voluntary disclosure. You must not alter or destroy documents and any routine document destruction must cease immediately. A specialist solicitor will advise on your obligations, the scope of any search warrants or production orders, the conduct of a privileged internal investigation, your rights in any interview, and the most effective legal strategy to protect the company and individuals within it.
A regulatory investigation is conducted by a body such as the FCA, HSE or CMA and can result in financial penalties, public censure, loss of authorisation, or prohibition orders. Severe breaches can result in imprisonment. A criminal investigation is conducted by a law enforcement agency or prosecutorial authority and can result in fines or imprisonment and/or a criminal record. In practice, the same underlying conduct can give rise to both regulatory and criminal proceedings running in parallel.
Business crime cases are among the most legally complex and resource-intensive proceedings in the English legal system. They typically involve enormous volumes of evidence, intricate financial structures, novel legal arguments, and cross-border elements. The reputational, financial, and personal liberty stakes are extremely high. Specialist business crime defence solicitors bring deep experience of the investigative and prosecutorial process, established relationships with leading counsel, and the strategic expertise needed to navigate every stage effectively.
