Business Crime

Overview

We recognise that are an ever increasing number of laws and regulations that businesses can fall foul of and which can be prosecuted by the regulatory bodies. This is why we have an in-house legal specialist who is able to provide practical advice covering all elements of business and regulatory crime and Health & Safety.

The major regulators are Local Authorities, the Health and Safety Executive, Fire and Rescue Authorities and the Environment Agency but there are many more.

Businesses can find themselves facing unlimited fines, costs orders, bad press and a loss of reputation in the event of conviction for committing a business crime. Business crime is, in many ways, different from 'normal' crime and requires a different approach. Examples of business crime would be the failure to undertake a risk assessment, accidents at work, breach of an Abatement Notice or the failure to comply with a Prohibition Notice. Individuals can face imprisonment. Directors of Companies can also find themselves being personally prosecuted if the act or default of their Company is in some way their fault.

The best course of action, if you have any doubts as to your duties and responsibilities, is to seek advice.  This also applies if you are being investigated.

We can liaise with the regulatory bodies for you and advise you and accompany you to any Interview under Caution. We can sometimes persuade the regulatory body concerned not to prosecute you or to reduce the number of 'charges' you may face.  At Court we can offer mitigation on your behalf so that any punishment is minimised and defend cases for you where it is appropriate to do so.

Our Business Crime legal advice covers:

• Advice on Legal Duties & Responsibilities
• Advice when investigations are ongoing
• Liaison with Regulators such as Local Authorities, HSE, Fire Authorities
• Appeals against Abatement, Improvement, Prohibition Notices etc
• Representation at PACE Interview
• Defence of Criminal Prosecutions