Bribery and Corruption Solicitors
A conviction for bribery or corruption can have severe consequences, including fines, disqualification from professional roles, and, in serious cases, lengthy prison sentences. If you are under investigation or facing charges of bribery and corruption, you should seek expert legal representation as early as possible.
At JD Spicer Zeb, our specialist criminal defence solicitors have over 45 years of experience representing individuals accused of complex financial crimes, including bribery and corruption.
Our priority is to help you avoid prosecution or conviction wherever possible. We will carefully examine the evidence, challenge weaknesses in the prosecution’s case, and put together a strong legal defence. If a conviction cannot be avoided, we will work hard to negotiate reduced penalties or alternative resolutions where possible.
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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?
- 1000s Cases Dropped
- 24/7 Emergency Phonelines
- 100s Years Combined Experience
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Recent Cases
There is limited recourse for you if you are falsely accused. Click a selection of the cases we have covered. The best thing you can do is to instruct an excellent solicitor from the outset.
Our highly experienced bribery and corruption lawyers provide:
- 24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
- Representation anywhere in England and Wales
- Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
- Clear, effective legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)
Speak to our bribery and corruption solicitors today
For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options when defending a bribery and corruption charge, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.
For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding bribery and corruption, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.
Why choose our bribery and corruption solicitors?
For over 45 years, our expert criminal defence solicitors at JD Spicer Zeb have provided specialist legal representation in complex cases, including bribery and corruption offences.
The outcome of bribery and corruption allegations can range from fines and reputational damage to lengthy terms of imprisonment.
Our team has extensive experience managing these cases to reach a fair outcome. We will review the prosecution’s evidence and build a strong defence to protect your rights.
If you are arrested or under investigation, our police station representatives are available 24/7 to provide immediate legal advice on corruption charges.
Should your case proceed to trial, we have strong working relationships with leading criminal defence barristers who specialise in financial crime. With our expertise and strategic approach, you can be confident that you will receive the highest standard of legal representation at every stage.
We are accredited by the Law Society for Criminal Litigation and Lexcel for excellence in legal practice. If you are facing bribery or corruption allegations, contact our team today for expert legal support.
Our expertise with bribery and corruption
Representation at police stations
If you are questioned by the police on suspicion of bribery or corruption, anything you say or choose not to say can impact your case. It is essential to seek expert legal advice before answering any police questions.
At JD Spicer Zeb, our specialist criminal defence solicitors have extensive experience handling bribery and corruption investigations. We provide immediate legal representation at the police station to protect your rights and ensure you do not inadvertently harm your defence.
No matter the complexity of your case, our dedicated team is available 24/7 to provide the highest level of legal support and representation.
Pre-charge bail and released under investigation
If you have been released on pre-charge bail or are under investigation for bribery or corruption, seeking expert legal advice is essential. Being released from custody does not mean your case is over. An investigation may still be ongoing, and the authorities could bring charges against you at any time.
Pre-charge bail often comes with strict conditions, such as travel restrictions or mandatory police station visits and failing to comply could have legal consequences.
At JD Spicer Zeb, our specialist bribery and corruption defence solicitors can assess your situation, advise you on your legal position, and develop a proactive strategy to protect your rights.
Whether you are on pre-charge bail or released under investigation, we will guide you through every stage of the process, ensuring the best possible outcome.
To find out more in relation to pre-charge bail and release under investigation, please use the links provided below:
- Pre-charge bail and Released Under Investigation (RUI)
- On Bail But Not Charged - What Does It Mean?
- How long can you be on bail without charge UK?
Having charges dropped
If you are facing allegations of bribery or corruption, our expert defence team will carefully assess your case, identifying any weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence. Our priority is to determine whether the charges can be dropped before reaching court, helping you avoid unnecessary stress and reputational damage.
At JD Spicer Zeb, we offer strategic and pragmatic legal advice tailored to your situation. We will guide you through the process, answering any questions you may have and ensuring you understand your options. With a proven track record of securing early case dismissals, we are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you.
Legal representation and defence
If you are facing trial for bribery or corruption, our specialist criminal defence solicitors will ensure you have the strongest possible defence. We will guide you through each stage of the legal process, advising you on your rights, available options, and the best strategy to protect your interests.
Whether your case is heard in the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court, we will provide expert legal representation. Our team will thoroughly examine the prosecution’s case, gather supporting evidence, and consult with leading experts where necessary to build a strong defence against bribery allegations.
With decades of experience, we have developed strong professional relationships with some of the UK’s top criminal barristers. If your case proceeds to trial, you can be confident that you will receive high-quality legal advice and representation at every stage.
Where appropriate, we will also provide clear guidance on whether an early guilty plea could result in a more favourable outcome, such as a reduced sentence.
Fees and funding
When dealing with fees and funding, our bribery and corruption lawyers will always be clear and upfront about your options.
Legal Aid may be available in some cases, but this depends on the seriousness of the case and whether it will justify the grant of public funding.
To find out more about the way we handle fees (both Legal Aid and private fees), please use the links provided below:
- Our Fees – Crime Cases
- Do I Qualify for Criminal Legal Aid?
- Bespoke Crime Private Fee Service
- Will Your Private Legal Costs Increase?
- Do We Offer Free Consultations?
Related offences
We also provide support and guidance on various other matters that are related to bribery and corruption, including:
- Benefit Fraud
- Cash and asset forfeiture/cash seizure
- Conspiracy to Defraud
- Credit Card Fraud
- FCA Investigations
- False Accounting
- Fraud by Abuse of Position
- Fraudulent Trading Defence
- Immigration Fraud
- Investment Fraud
- Money Laundering
- Mortgage Fraud
- SFO Investigations
- Tax Investigation and Tax Fraud
- VAT Fraud
- Identity Fraud Solicitors
- Covid Bounce Back Loan Fraud
- Furlough Fraud
Related cases
- Multi Million Pound Fraud Southwark Crown Court not proceeded with 2024
- Money Laundering dropped Police station 2023
Common questions about bribery and corruption
What constitutes bribery and corruption under UK law?
Corruption includes any illegitimate use of office and can cover a range of crimes, including bribery.
The offence of bribery is governed by the Bribery Act 2010. It involves the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of an advantage (financial or otherwise) to improperly influence decisions.
The Act defines bribery in the following four ways:
- The offering, promising, or giving of a bribe to another person
- Requesting, agreeing to receive, or accepting a bribe
- Bribery of a foreign (non-UK) public official
- Failure by commercial organisations to prevent bribery committed by their associated persons to obtain or retain business or an advantage in the conduct of business
What are the penalties for bribery and corruption offences?
Under the UK Bribery Act 2010, individuals found guilty of bribery can face:
- Up to 10 years’ imprisonment, with the length of the sentence determined by the severity of the offence
- An unlimited fine, which will vary depending on the seriousness of the offence
If an organisation fails to prevent bribery due to inadequate procedures, it may face:
- An unlimited fine, generally higher than that imposed on individuals due to the organisation's size
- Serious Crime Prevention Orders which may involve strict financial controls to prevent future bribery
- A requirement to return any financial gain obtained from the bribery under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
- Disqualification of directors for up to 15 years as a result of their failure to ensure adequate procedures were in place
How can a solicitor assist in a bribery or corruption case?
Our expert solicitors can provide expert legal advice from the start of your case, ensuring you understand your rights and options. We will review the prosecution’s evidence, identify weaknesses in their case, and build a strong defence. Where necessary, we work with financial experts to challenge the allegations against you.
If early resolution is possible, we will negotiate to have charges dropped or reduced. Should your case go to trial, we ensure you receive top-tier representation, protecting your interests at every stage to achieve the best possible outcome.
What should I do if I am accused of bribery or corruption?
If you have been accused of bribery or corruption or called into an interview by the police, you should instruct a specialist solicitor at the earliest opportunity to give you the best chance of a fair outcome.
We can offer advice on what information to give the police and put together a strong defence if your case proceeds to court.
Which UK organisations are responsible for investigating bribery and enforcing the law?
The Serious Fraud Office is the lead agency in England and Wales that investigates and prosecutes cases of overseas corruption alongside the police.
The Crown Prosecution Service also prosecutes bribery offences investigated by the police, committed either overseas or in England and Wales.
How can we help?
Common questions
We always work with the most experienced and best leading UK barristers, KCs (Kings Counsel). We cover all criminal cases 24/7 at the police station and court. Offices in London, Birmingham, and Manchester cover cases across England and Wales. We can offer Legal Aid and affordable Private fee agreements. We can see you the same day, including virtually. Our Senior Partners supervise all of our cases.
How quickly do you respond?
We respond quickly even during out of hours. We do not get our work by paying for online adverts but based on the fact that few criminal law firms can match our 45 years of experience. Most of our cases are still from word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied clients. We are called daily by dissatisfied clients from firms with less experience than us. We respond very quickly to new enquiries. We know what clients seek and so we update clients rapidly.
Can you get cases dropped?
Yes, read about the recent cases we've helped our clients with here.
We always keep you updated and give straightforward advice. We will get cases dropped early where the case is weak or should not be prosecuted. We will be upfront with you about where you can benefit from a good result with an early guilty plea, such as a discount on your sentence. As we work on cases across all levels with clients from all walks of life, we are excellent at giving clear, spot-on advice. As an established firm, we can allocate a whole team to your case often at short notice to secure evidence to minimise the damage to you.
Have you won any awards?
OUR PROFESSIONAL BODY THE LAW SOCIETY AWARDED US IN OCTOBER 2020 WITH THE EXCELLENCE IN CLIENT SERVICE AWARD AND STATED -
"JD Spicer Zeb demonstrated a clear commitment to client service through their work with vulnerable and diverse individuals in what can be severely traumatic circumstances".
Do you offer free consultations?
Where it is possible, we aim to provide an initial consultation to you. If we can speak to you, we can if required inform you about –
- Whether we can take the case on and our relevant experience.
- Public and private funding benefits.
- Assistance in applying for legal aid where we are likely to accept instructions.
- An outline of options in police interview only. We will not advise you on which option to adopt.
- Providing our free written guide explaining the police station process.
- The gravity of routine and day-to-day offences you face.
- Consequences of not attending the court or police station.
- Consequences of interfering with any witnesses.
- Retaining any evidence in support of your case.
- If possible an outline of the elements of the offence that the police or CPS must prove.
- This consultation will normally be by telephone or email and will only be for as long as we deem necessary to establish if we can act for you. If we cannot usefully give you any advice in this manner then we will not continue with the consultation. We will not discuss the case in depth for you to be able to decide on your plea or any significant aspect of the case, as this cannot be undertaken informally.
- Referring you, if possible, to other firms for matters out of our specialism or if we cannot help.
Consultations do not apply to the following cases –
- If we do not intend to take the case on.
- Road Traffic cases, drink driving, drug driving, driving bans, speeding, no insurance, mobile phone use, points etc.
- In all cases where we do not have the capacity to take your case or the availability of suitably qualified staff to provide an initial free consultation. This is applicable in all cases but especially where a more senior lawyer is required because of your personal needs or the complexity of the case.
- Harassment/stalking/ coercive behaviour/malicious communications or road traffic cases and most sensitive cases. These cases are often too complicated to assess in short consultations.
- The locations concerned may be too distant to represent you adequately or it may not be cost-effective for you or us.
- The case is too complicated to assess or raises various charges or facts, complexity, or history to be considered informally or in a short consultation.
- In most Legal aid transfers where legal aid is granted to another firm except in very grave cases, we may assess the case and merits for a transfer.
- If your relationship has broken down with your existing solicitor or several solicitors.
- If you have been released under investigation and have already had a police station attendance.
- If you hold legal aid with another firm and seek a second opinion.
- If you are calling on behalf of the client as a friend or family member unless you have full authority and full facts.
- To businesses.
- Advising whether you were given good advice by your other solicitor.
- Whether to decide to plead guilty or not guilty.
- Whether you have an arguable defence in law or factually complicated defences.
- Any advice you have had after your first court appearance.
- Any advice on appeal on conviction or sentence.
- If we feel we are unable to communicate with you.
- If we are likely to be conflicted or breach our professional rules.
Contact our bribery and corruption solicitors now
If you are due to attend the police station for an interview, have been accused of bribery and corruption, or require any urgent specialist advice or immediate representation, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
You can contact a member of our dedicated team of bribery and corruption solicitors in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:
- Brent & Camden London Office: 020 7624 7771
- Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
- Birmingham Office: 0121 614 3333
- City of London: 0207 624 7771, our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.
Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk
Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
24/7 legal representation for bribery and corruption
Please contact us for a free initial consultation with one of our lawyers specialising in corruption.
For urgent representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556, and we will provide you with the assistance you need.
How can we help?
Useful Information
- How can I get the CPS to drop the charges against me?
- How can I get the police to drop charges against me?
- How can I get the police to caution me?
- Police Stop and Search UK
- Pre-charge bail - What You Need to Know
- Read our Police Station Advice Guide
- Recovering Your Property From The Police
- Released Under Investigation - What You Need to Know
- Types of Evidence used in Law
- Voluntary Police Interview - What You Need to Know
- What is a 'No further action' letter?
- What to expect in Police Custody
- Why Choose a Private Solicitor for a Magistrates' or Crown Court Case?
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- Umar Zeb
- Senior Partner - Head of Private Client Crime
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- Lisa Nicol
- Managing Partner - Head of Crime & Serious Cases
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- James O'Donnell
- Partner Crime - Serious Cases
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- Sanjay Cholera
- Partner Crime Advocacy
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- Peter Mulhearn
- Consultant Crime Solicitor
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- Danny Parkash
- Crime Solicitor
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- Mimma Sabato
- Barrister
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- Richard Souper
- Consultant Crime Solicitor
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- Jonathan Lynn
- Solicitor
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- Samuel Oduntan
- Solicitor
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- Barry Linnane
- Crime and Extradition Solicitor
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- Stuart Lloyd
- Solicitor
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- Robert Wong
- Crime and Extradition Solicitor
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- Maeve Carroll
- Paralegal
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- Rebecca Forbes
- Paralegal
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- Sachelle Gilbert
- Paralegal