White Collar Crime Defence & Corporate Investigations

Platts Solicitors have an exceptional reputation in ‘white collar crime’, which has been acquired over the last 30 years, having successfully represented corporate clients in high value fraud cases.

Types of Business Crime:

• Bribery
• Computer and Internet crimes
• Corporate Manslaughter
• Credit card fraud
• Embezzlement
• Extortion
• False accounting
• Financial crimes
• Forgery
• Identity theft
• Insider trading
• Insurance fraud
• Investment fraud
• Missing Trader Intra-Community (MTIC) and carousel fraud
• Mortgage fraud
• Money laundering
• Operating without a license
• Pension fraud
• Tax and VAT fraud

Business Crime Legislation

The Companies Act 2006

The Companies Act 2006 governs company law in the UK. The Act contains a large number of criminal offences which can be committed by either the company itself, its directors or its officers.

The most serious offences relating to convening the rules against fraudulent trading are heard in the Crown Court, on conviction the sentence is anything from a fine up to 10 years imprisonment. On conviction, disqualification proceedings are likely to take place as the director will be deemed to be ‘unfit’ to act as a company director.

The Bribery Act 2010

• Penalties maximum 10 years’ imprisonment on conviction.
• Unlimited fine
• Confiscation of property
• Disqualification of directors under the Company Directors Disqualification Act.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is the main body responsible for enforcing the Bribery Act.

Bribery and Corruption Offences

Platt Solicitors with over 30 years’ experience have successfully helped companies and individuals accused of complex bribery and corruption offences, with our proactive approach and extensive knowledge we  will work relentlessly and leave no stone unturned to achieve a successful outcome.

Our dedicated and experienced team can assist with:

• Advice on whether adequate procedures are in place to prevent bribery and corruption by employees or others.

• Internal investigations into employees and associates suspected of being involved in bribery and corruption.

• Advising on self-reporting to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to negotiate a Deferred Prosecution Agreement. 

• Individuals subject to internal disciplinary investigations by employers who are concerned about potential crime consequences. 

• Individual in receipt of notices under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, required to submit documentation to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), or required to attend compulsory interview. 

• Assist individuals requested to act as a prosecution witness in Bribery and Corruption proceedings. 

• Assist individuals accused of political corruption, whereby government officials have abused their powers for illegitimate private gain in their official duties or to influence trading.

Corporate Fraud

Corporate Fraud can be extremely damaging to the reputations of both a company and an individual, it is paramount that you respond swiftly to any accusations. At Platts Solicitors we can advise you each step of the way through this complicated procedure.

The principal fraud offences are set out in the Fraud Act 2006, they are:

• Fraud by false representation
• Fraud by failure to disclose information
• Fraud by abuse of position

Our combined legal knowledge exceeds 100 years and we have over 30 years’ experience in dealing with key enforcement agencies, including:

• The Crown Prosecution Service
• The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
• The Financial Conduct Authority
• The Office of Fair Trading
• HM Revenue and Customs
• The Serious Fraud Office
• Trading Standards

Our highly dedicated team of professional solicitors are committed to providing clients with up to date information, in order to navigate through complex processes and procedures that are embedded within enforcement agencies and local authorities  

Corporate Manslaughter

At Platts Solicitors we understand that allegations in relation to corporate manslaughter are very stressful for the business and individuals concerned. With our expertise we are dedicated and committed to providing support from the initial investigation all the way through to court proceedings, if in the unfortunate circumstance charges of corporate manslaughter are brought.

Professional expertise is necessary in cases which involve fatalities at work as they are often problematic and complex, especially if an investigation is also in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).  

Criminal Money Laundering

Our criminal lawyers are experts at what they do. Platts Solicitors defends individuals and companies accused of all kinds of fraud and regulatory offences. We have a firmly established reputation as one of the leading criminal firms in Manchester and the North West.

Our lawyers are highly experienced senior professionals with experience in all aspects of criminal law and procedure. When dealing with fraud and regulatory matters, we provide clear-cut advice at a reasonable price, focusing our efforts on minimising the impact that intervention by the criminal or regulatory authorities may have on your business.

As a result, we are instructed regularly by commercial clients and professionals from across the country who are being investigated for a range of activities. The work we do in this area includes:

• Investigations under the Money Laundering Regulations, 2007
• Acting in confiscation proceedings and restraint of assets cases under The Proceeds of Crime Act, 2002
• VAT, tax fraud and illegal importation investigations carried out by HM Revenue and Customs
• Mortgage fraud
• Defending companies on corporate manslaughter charges
• Trading standards issues, including representation in court proceedings brought by local trading standards bodies
• Defending organisations and small businesses facing health and safety prosecutions
• Advising on alleged breaches of environmental law and anti-pollution regulations
• Representing individual professionals, including doctors, accountants and lawyers at disciplinary proceedings brought by their respective professional bodies