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Bindmans is a leading firm in defending individuals facing allegations of fraud, financial and business crime. Our highly experienced team has a strong track record in successfully representing clients in some of the largest and most difficult financial crime cases.
Our cases have included large-scale international frauds spanning a number of jurisdictions and serious fraud investigations and prosecutions. We defend in investigations and prosecutions by the Serious Fraud Office, the Financial Conduct Authority, National Crime Agency, HM Revenue & Customs, regional police fraud squads, and the City of London Police and private prosecutors. Our skills and experience easily match specialist investigatory bodies.
If you would like to speak to our team call us on +44 (0)20 7014 2020
We have a vast experience of jury trials from which to draw and which we use to identify the evidence and arguments that will really matter. We have the expertise to advise on prosecutions for conspiracy to defraud and offences under the Fraud Act 2006, including allegations involving breach of trust and fiduciary duty, mortgage fraud, fraud by false representation, theft, identity fraud, credit card fraud, boiler room fraud, tax fraud and false accounting.
For every client we represent, we bring to bear our renowned forensic skills in analysing the prosecution case, and our fierce commitment to our clients’ interests and rights in presenting their defence.
We are experienced at managing and advising on the media publicity these cases may attract, and which, we know, can be one of the most distressing aspects of being prosecuted. We have in-house expertise on these matters that we can call on if needed.
Of course, we also act in cases where there is no publicity, but where the issues and potential consequences for our clients are equally serious, and in all our cases we are aware of the personal strain that can be involved.
Bindmans has some of the best white-collar partners in the industry. They are enormously committed to representing individuals and can call on their extensive experience to guide clients through highly complex cases brought by prosecutors, including the SFO and FCA.
Legal 500 2022
Our defence lawyers represent clients throughout the entire criminal process, beginning at the initial interview under caution.
Interviews can be used by investigators and prosecutors to develop lines of enquiry and consider whether to charge a person with any offence and will also be produced in court as part of any prosecution. Therefore it is vital to get early advice before interview to ensure the best possible approach is taken. Our defence lawyers will obtain pre-interview disclosure from the investigators so you can understand the likely focus of the interview and they will advise you about your options in interview and can attend the interview with you to advise you.
Our lawyers also advise people facing internal investigations by their employer into allegations of dishonest conduct at work, including theft and misuse of confidential commercial information and in cases where there are parallel regulatory proceedings.
We understand that being the subject of an intrusive criminal investigation, often coupled with debilitating financial restraint and parallel internal investigations and regulatory proceedings, can be a tremendous strain. In defending our clients we do not lose sight of this. We do everything we can to minimise the impact of any investigation and to protect the privacy of our clients.
Wherever possible we strive to:
- Negotiate voluntary attendance for interviews as an alternative to arrest, or in arrest cases promote our clients rights to bail
- Seek disclosure and adequate time and facilities to prepare for interview
- Provide clear advice about whether or not to answer questions in interview and intervene to prevent unfair or oppressive lines of questioning.
- Examine the terms of search warrants issued and property seized and advise on grounds for challenging the seizures or restricting access of investigators to confidential or privileged information
- In restraint cases advise on compliance with information requirements and assist with variation of the terms or applications to discharge
- We can advise how to respond to media coverage and our media and information department can also give specialist advice in this area
If criminal charges follow, our style of defending, for which we have built a reputation over many years, involves calm analysis of the evidence and applicable law, intelligible advice and fearless promotion of our clients’ rights and interests. We work very closely with our clients to understand their case and wishes so that we can build the best possible defence.
Often our work on cases of fraud, financial or business crime includes examining huge volumes of evidence. We are adept at sifting out the material of value for the defence and do not lose sight of strategic objectives. We also look outside of the materials provided by the prosecution to find the best evidence. We have access to a wide choice of the best external barristers and independent accounting and computer experts who can add real value to the defence. Where necessary, we adopt a multi-jurisdictional approach using our links with lawyers in other countries.
Key Services
Serious Fraud Office
Money Laundering
Bribery and Corruption
Cybercrime
Cash Seizures
Investigative Interview under Caution
Dawn Raids (Emergency Service)
Confiscation
Furlough Fraud
Companies Act Offences
Private Prosecution
Corporate Manslaughter
Financial Sanctions
Insider Dealing and Market Abuse
FCA Investigations
Bounce Back Loan Fraud
Recognition
They are very good in this space
Chambers and Partners 2024 – Financial Crime: Individuals client
They are all over the detail, with exceptional communication and focus on client needs.
Chambers and Partners 2024 – Financial Crime: Individuals client
Bindmans are a brilliant firm. The passion and commitment of their lawyers is amazing. The firm is well-resourced and efficiently run.
Legal 500 2024 – Fraud: white- collar crime
Bindmans have been at the forefront of criminal defence for many years and have maintained that position through continuing to recruit and nurture talented young lawyers. They are large enough to offer expertise across all areas of crime and to have the resources to run large cases, but not so large as to have lost their unique sense of identity.
Legal 500 2024 – Fraud: white-collar crime
Bindmans has excellent business crime expertise and continues to punch above its weight.
Legal 500 2024 – Fraud: white- collar crime
Bindmans has some of the best white-collar partners in the industry. They are enormously committed to representing individuals and can call on their extensive experience to guide clients through highly complex cases brought by prosecutors, including the SFO and FCA.
Legal 500 2022 – Fraud: white-collar crime
Bindmans offer a genuinely caring and dedicated service whilst fighting hard for their clients. They have an outstanding team of very professional lawyers and support staff.
Legal 500 2022 – Fraud: white-collar crime
Bindmans have an infrastructure that has been developed to allow large and complex cases to be litigated efficiently and diligently. Their partners are very experienced and capable lawyers, who lead teams comprising highly talented junior solicitors and very capable paralegals, resulting in a team dynamic (incorporating counsel) that results in cases being dealt with extremely well on a consistent basis.
Legal 500 2022 – Fraud: white-collar crime
It is a fantastic outfit – and a very committed team.
Chambers and Partners 2022 – Financial Crime: individuals
The team go the extra mile for clients.
Chambers and Partners 2022 – Financial Crime: individuals
They are accessible and diligent, says a source, adding that every case is prepared with meticulous detail.
Chambers and Partners 2021 – Financial Crime: Individuals
Concentrates on high-exposure fraud matters, with a wealth of experience in jury trial work. Experienced across the full range of criminal fraud and regulatory investigations. Also adept at bribery and corruption cases.
Chambers and Partners 2021 – Financial Crime: Individuals
The crime, fraud and regulatory team at Bindmans LLP acts for high-profile professionals and high-net-worth individuals in investigations and prosecutions by the SFO, FCA, OFT, HMRC and Police Specialist Fraud case teams. The firm has recently seen an uptick in instructions defending individuals against private prosecutions. Katie Wheatley, who heads the team with ‘excellent judgement and real gravitas’, is an expert in fraud, bribery and corruption matters, and is experienced in defending bankers and other professionals in financial crime cases.
Legal 500 2020 – Fraud: white-collar crime
Concentrates on high-exposure fraud matters with a wealth of experience in jury trial work. Highly regarded for its work for private clients. Experienced across the full range of criminal fraud and regulatory investigations. Also adept at bribery and corruption cases.
Chambers and Partners 2020 – Financial Crime: Individuals
Bindmans LLP advises individuals involved in investigations and prosecutions by organisations including the SFO, FCA, Office of Fair Trading, HMRC and Police Specialist Fraud case teams. Clients include lawyers, accountants and journalists. The firm acts in privately and publicly funded cases as well as cases funded by third parties, such as employers and insurance companies. Areas of expertise include fraud and international bribery and corruption.
Legal 500 2019 – Financial Crime
Bindmans LLP is well-known for advising high-profile individuals on cases of extradition, murder, terrorism and fraud.
Legal 500 2019 – Crime
Bindmans LLP concentrates on high-exposure fraud matters with a wealth of experience in jury trial work. Recent work from the banking sector bolsters the growing private client base. Experienced across the full range of criminal fraud and regulatory investigations. Also adept at bribery and corruption cases.
Chambers and Partners 2019 – Financial Crime: Individuals
Bindmans LLP ‘combines high-level, specialist expertise with a passionate commitment to the interests of their professional clients. It advises on international bribery and corruption cases and regulatory proceedings. The firm continues to act for a former senior banker at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in a multimillion-pound case for conspiring to make or receive corrupt payments. The team has ‘an ethos of diligence and hard work that runs right through the department’.
Legal 500 2018 – Fraud: white-collar crime
Recent mandates from the banking sector bolster the growing private client base. Experienced across the full range of criminal fraud and regulatory investigations.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Financial Crime: Individuals
Their cases are always brilliantly prepared, and they will always be 100% behind the client, looking for the best results. They are kind and effective, a difficult combination to achieve.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Financial Crime: Individuals
Bindmans are first class: they have meticulous preparation and the highest level of client care. Their support structure, in terms of staff to deal with the workload of large cases, is excellent. Bindmans thoroughly deserve their stellar reputation.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Crime
They’re a really strong firm doing a wide range of criminal work. They really leave no stone unturned, and their client care is fantastic.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Crime
Contact
To get in touch with our criminal defence lawyers please use the details below. If you need emergency assistance outside of office hours please call our out of hours phone number.
How can we help you?
Speak to one of our experts today
+44 20 7833 4433
INFO@BINDMANS.COM
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