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Fraudulent Trading Defence Solicitors

The potential penalties for fraudulent trading are extremely serious, and therefore it is crucial to seek specialist legal advice from the outset of a case being launched.

 

At JD Spicer Zeb, our highly experienced solicitors can step in to provide immediate support if you are facing an allegation of fraudulent trading. The police, and other relevant government agencies such as the Organised Crime Agency, do not take suspicions of fraudulent trading lightly, and thus may see fit to launch thorough investigations of those suspected to be involved. These investigations can be confusing to navigate alone, but with us on your team you can be provided with clear advice on where you stand.

We have previously handled various cases involving allegations of fraudulent trading, so you can rest assured that we are well positioned to support you and achieve the best possible outcome for your case. Our ultimate priority from the outset is always to avoid conviction, although this inevitably is not always possible. In those cases where conviction is unavoidable, we will strive to mitigate and secure you the most lenient sentence possible.

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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?

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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

You may be aware that you will have the option of being represented by a duty solicitor when facing criminal charges. However, we strongly recommended that you choose to work with JD Spicer Zeb as we have specialist fraudulent trading solicitors who can provide you with the strongest possible defence.

Importantly, whatever route you choose to take, it is essential that you never answer any police questions without a solicitor present.

Our fraudulent trading defence 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 fraudulent trading defence 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 fraudulent trading, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

You can also email us at solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk or fill out our online enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Our expertise with fraudulent trading

As a team, we have over 45 years of experience in handling various criminal matters, including charges related to fraudulent trading. Putting our expertise into action, we are perfectly positioned to provide you with a strong fraudulent trading defence, no matter how complex the issue at hand may be.

Investigations into fraudulent trading have the potential to lead to serious penalties, including lengthy prison sentences in some cases. It is therefore in your best interests to seek specialist legal advice when you are facing allegations of fraudulent trading.

Our criminal defence team includes several accredited police station representatives who can provide advice and representation 24/7 to anyone who has been arrested for fraudulent trading.

Over the years, we have been successful in securing positive outcomes for our clients, including where court proceedings have been launched. We will work with you to build a robust defence and provide you with the representation you need at both the Magistrates’ and Crown Court.

In addition to this, we have established strong relationships with some of the country’s leading specialist fraud barristers. As a result, we can provide you with trouble-free access to top-tier legal representatives whom have the skills and expertise required to secure the best available outcome for your case.

If you are accused of fraudulent trading, we understand how difficult a situation this is likely to be for you, your family, and your business. Our dedicated team of fraudulent trading solicitors combine stellar legal representation with a close personal service so you will be able to keep track of all of the issues that may impact 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 the high standards of client care our team provides, we frequently receive referrals and recommendations from clients who have been satisfied with our legal services which we have been providing for over 45 years.

Pre-Charge bail

If you are released on pre-charge bail (also known as being released on bail), the police will continue their investigation before they make a final charging decision.

Whilst the police make their decision, they may impose certain bail conditions. This may restrict where you can go, or place requirements on you 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 fraudulent trading

What is fraudulent trading?

Fraudulent trading is a criminal offence. In simple terms, fraudulent trading involves a company conducting business with the deliberate intention of deceiving or defrauding its creditors or any other interested party, or for any fraudulent purpose. Crucially, it is irrelevant whether the company is wound up or not. If a company is found to have engaged in fraudulent trading, every person who was knowingly a party to it is guilty of an offence.

It is important to distinguish fraudulent trading from wrongful trading. Wrongful trading is a civil matter, rather than a criminal one, and will relate to situations where directors continue to trade in the hope that they will be able to reverse a situation that is likely to end in insolvency. Despite being a civil matter, the consequences of wrongful trading are still serious, so whilst we cannot ourselves provide representation, we strongly recommend that you seek legal advice.

What is the sentence for fraudulent trading?

If you are convicted of fraudulent trading, the maximum sentence you can receive is 10 years’ imprisonment. For offences that took place before 15th January 2007, the maximum sentence is 7 years’ imprisonment.

However, the actual sentence given to a person convicted of fraudulent trading will be influenced by a number of factors, particularly an offender’s culpability, and the harm caused.

What mitigating circumstances might be considered?

Various mitigating factors may be considered by the prosecution when they are presiding over a fraudulent trading case. These include:

  • No previous convictions
  • Previous good character and/or exemplary conduct
  • Serious medical conditions requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
  • Age and/or lack of maturity
  • Mental disorder or learning disability
  • Sole or primary carer for dependents
  • Cooperation with an investigation
  • Steps taken to address offending behaviour

What is the difference between long and short term fraud?

Where a business has been set up with the sole purpose of defrauding, this often known as ‘long-term’ fraud. These types of businesses will often buy assets that they can quickly and easily sell before disappearing.

Conversely, ‘short-term’ fraud occurs where a fraudulent business makes no attempt to build trust, but instead immediately buy whatever they can using credit before disappearing.

Contact our fraudulent trading lawyers now

For urgent specialist advice, immediate police station representation or to speak to us confidentially about a charge of fraudulent trading 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:

You can also email us at: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and our fraudulent trading lawyers will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 fraudulent trading defence

Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our expert fraudulent trading 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?

  • Umar Zeb
      • 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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