In the UK there are several governmental departments and independent agencies that have powers to investigate and prosecute people or businesses for breaking the law or not following regulations.
For example, HM Revenue and Customs have the power to investigate tax evasion; the Environment Agency has the power to investigate breaches of environmental law and regulation; and the Financial Conduct Authority can investigate breaches of codes of conduct by businesses or professionals that provide financial services.
These investigations can lead to punishments by the relevant regulator or they can lead to criminal proceedings in court. Either method can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on your business and on your private life.
Regulators have a lot of powers they can use when investigating regulatory offences or related crimes. They can:
- Interview you under caution
- Force you to hand over documents or information
- Search your offices or home
- Seize and search your computer or other electronic devices
- Freeze your company or personal assets
- Charge you with a criminal offence
- Prosecute you through the Magistrates’ or Crown Courts
How Irwin Mitchell Can Help You With Regulatory Investigation & Enforcement
If you are being investigated for regulatory offences, it is vital that you receive expert legal advice during the investigation and any prosecution that might follow.
We are one of only a handful of firms that offer the specialist legal advice, support and representation that you will need if you are facing regulatory investigations and court proceedings. We have a team of dedicated and experienced solicitors who have the necessary expertise to guide you through your case and minimise disruption and damage caused by a regulatory investigation. They can also help protect you against unwanted media attention.
We have extensive experience in dealing with all regulators including:
- Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
- Office of Fair Trading (OFT)
- H M Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
- Competition Commission
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
We will defend your position and do everything we can to protect your business and private life from suffering harm as a result of an investigation. We will also try to prevent your investigation from leading to court proceedings, and we can represent you in court if necessary.
We give clear advice in plain English, and we are available to be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week because we know that regulatory investigations can start without warning and searches can often be carried out in the early hours of the morning.
Contact Us Today for an Initial Discussion with No Obligation
If you are facing an investigation, think that you might soon be investigated, or if you are to be prosecuted for a regulatory offence, call our team as soon as possible. For an initial discussion, with no obligation, call Kevin Robinson on 0207 421 3883, Paul Haycock 0114 274 4275 or Dan Stowers on 0114 274 4589 – or send us an online enquiry.