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Benefit Fraud Solicitors

Benefit fraud is a serious offence. As such, being arrested or charged with benefit fraud can result in heavy penalties, including lengthy terms imprisonment. Ensuring that you have access to specialist legal advice from the outset of your case is imperative.

 

Our specialist solicitors can advise and represent you if you are facing allegations of benefit fraud or are under investigation by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). From the point of arrest onwards, we will provide straightforward, practical advice at every stage.

We have specialist expertise in handling benefit fraud, which ensures that we are well positioned to help you secure the best possible outcome, whether that means helping you to avoid charges, or have them reduced if prosecution cannot be avoided.

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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?

  • 1000s Cases Dropped
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  • 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.

Read more cases

While in some cases you can choose to be represented by a duty solicitor in these situations, it is strongly recommended that you work with our specialist benefit fraud solicitors so that you receive the strongest possible defence.

It is important that you never answer any police questions without a solicitor present.

Our benefit fraud solicitors provide:

  • 24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
  • Representation anywhere in England or Wales
  • Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
  • Clear, effective legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)

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.

Speak to our benefit fraud solicitors today

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, contact our local offices in London, Birmingham or Manchester.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding benefit fraud, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

You can also email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk or fill out our online enquiry form and we will get back to you quickly.

Our expertise with benefit fraud

Our team have over 45 years of experience in handling a wide range of criminal matters, including fraud charges. We therefore have the combination of knowledge and experience required to advise on even the most complex cases relating to benefit fraud allegations.

Benefit fraud is a complex issue, with the potential penalties being very serious in some cases. This highlights how important it is to receive specialist support from experts in the field.

Our criminal defence team includes several accredited police station representatives, which means that we will be able to offer advice and representation 24/7 to anyone who has been arrested for benefit fraud.

We have previously been able to secure positive outcomes for individuals accused of benefit fraud on both the Magistrates’ and Crown Court. During such proceedings, we will be able to provide the representation you need at every stage.

Our team have established strong relationships with some of the country’s leading specialist fraud barristers. We can therefore offer additional access to the skills and expertise needed to secure you the best available outcome.

If you are accused of benefit fraud, we understand how difficult a situation this is likely to be for you and your family. Our dedicated benefit fraud lawyers will therefore provide a close personal service to assist you with any issues you may be facing or are likely to affect your case.

We are accredited by the Law Society for Criminal Litigation and have also achieved Lexcel accreditation, reflecting the high standards of our legal practice.

As a testament to our expertise and high standards of client care, our benefit fraud solicitors frequently receive referrals and recommendations from clients who have been satisfied with our legal services. Our team have been well-established for over 45 years.

Pre-charge bail

If someone is released on pre-charge bail (also referred to as being released on bail), after being interviewed for benefit fraud, the police will continue their investigation before making a final charging decision.

Whilst they make this decision, bail conditions may be imposed such as restrictions on where you can go and requirements to attend the police station on a certain day.

To find out more in relation to pre -charge bail, please use the links provided below:

Common questions about benefit fraud

What is benefit fraud?

Benefit fraud takes place when an individual deliberately claims any benefits they are not entitled to receive. This could be done by either:

  • Providing false information
  • Not accurately reporting a change in circumstances
  • Falsely declaring a disability or unfitness for work

If suspected of a benefit fraud offence, the DWP, HMRC, or a local authority will likely get in touch and conduct an investigation.

Is benefit fraud a civil or criminal matter?

Benefit fraud is a criminal offence. It is important to note that genuine mistakes which lead to an over payment of benefit are not considered to be acts of benefit fraud.

Instead, there must have been a deliberate act to withhold certain information, or to provide false information that would lead to more benefits being provided.

What is the maximum sentence for benefit fraud?

If someone is prosecuted for committing benefit fraud, they will be subject to criminal sentencing.

The maximum benefit fraud sentence will depend on the circumstances of the case. That said, for a serious incidence of conspiracy to defraud, the maximum sentence is 10 years’ imprisonment.

The severity of the benefit fraud sentence that is handed out will depend on the culpability and harm caused.

Culpability measures how the benefit fraud was planned and what role the alleged offender played, while harm refers to the amount obtained, or planned to be obtained, by the fraud.

A range of aggravating and mitigating factors will also be taken into consideration when assessing the sentence that should be handed out for anyone found guilty of benefit fraud.

Can I face more than a prison sentence for benefit fraud?

In addition to receiving a prison sentence for benefit fraud, the following could also apply:

  • Benefits could be reduced or stopped
  • Overpaid money must be paid back
  • A penalty may apply (between £350 and £5,000)

Only certain benefits (known as sanctionable benefits) can be reduced or stopped. If the benefit fraud applies to a non-sanctionable benefit, other sanctionable benefits may be reduced instead.

Contact our benefit fraud lawyers now

For urgent specialist advice, immediate police station representation or to speak to us confidentially about a charge of benefit fraud or any other criminal matter, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact a member of our dedicated team of criminal defence lawyers in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

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 benefit fraud

Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our expert benefit fraud solicitors, as well as for immediate advice and representation.

For immediate representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556 and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.

How can we help?

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      • Umar Zeb
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  • Lisa Nicol
      • Lisa Nicol
      • Managing Partner - Head of Crime & Serious Cases
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  • James O'Donnell
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