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Furlough Fraud Solicitors

Being found guilty of making fraudulent claims under the government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) is a serious offence. If you are accused of committing furlough fraud, working with a specialist criminal defence solicitor is fundamental to securing a positive outcome for your case.

 

During the lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses were unable to operate at their normal capacity. To help compensate for this, the government set up the CJRS. Under the scheme, the government would provide grants to employers to pay up to 80% of an employee’s wage, allowing them to retain and continue to pay staff.

The rules and regulations surrounding furlough leave were extremely strict. Whilst the scheme was in operation, and since its conclusion, many employers have been found guilty of committing furlough fraud, even where they originally applied for the scheme for legitimate reasons.

At JD Spicer Zeb, we have a team of dedicated fraud specialists who regularly support businesses accused of committing furlough fraud. We are in the strongest position to provide practical advice and build a robust defence against the allegations you are facing.

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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?

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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

Our focus will always be to help you avoid a conviction for a furlough fraud offence, such as fraud by false representation or fraud by failure to disclose information. That said, in cases where this is simply not possible, we will take every measure to make sure that any penalties you do face are mitigated as far as possible.

If you are under investigation for furlough fraud, you will usually have the option of instructing a duty solicitor to represent you. We would instead always encourage you to work with our expert solicitors, who have substantial experience in handling even the most complex fraud cases.

No matter the circumstances, it is vital that you do not answer any police questions without a solicitor being present.

Our furlough 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 furlough 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 furlough fraud, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

Our expertise with furlough fraud

As a firm, we have over 45 years worth of experience. This means that we have been able to work alongside countless individuals on a wide variety of fraud cases, all with their own circumstances and requirements. We have been recognised for our industry-leading expertise, which means we are able to provide bespoke advice that is tailored to your furlough fraud case.

The penalties for furlough fraud can be very serious, even resulting in prison sentences in some cases. This serves to highlight the importance of having the right legal representation if you find out that you are being investigated for suspected furlough fraud.

Our criminal defence team includes several police station representatives who will be available to provide support on a 24/7 basis.

We have previously been able to positive outcomes for many of our clients facing serious fraud charges, including where court proceedings have been launched as part of an investigation. If a Magistrates or Crown Court case is launched, our team have the necessary expertise to build a strong defence.

Additionally, we have also built strong relationships with many of the country’s leading specialist fraud barristers. By having these relationships in place, you can be certain that you will always receive the highest standard of legal representation, no matter what your circumstances may be.

Facing a HMRC furlough fraud investigation can a daunting and distressing prospect. As such, our specialist furlough fraud solicitors will be certain to provide you with close personal support while your case is ongoing.

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 interviewed by the police as part of a furlough fraud investigation, you may be released on pre-charge bail. This is also simply referred to as being released on bail.

While you are on pre-charge bail, you are likely to be subject to certain bail conditions. These could restrict where you are able to 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:

Fees and funding

We are transparent on costs at all times, no matter your circumstances.

Legal aid public funding will be available in some cases, based on the seriousness of the case justifying the grant of public funding.

For clients who do not qualify for legal aid public funding, the alternative option will be to fund their case privately.

To find out more about the way we handle fees (both legal aid public funding and private fees), please use the links provided below:

Related offences

Please note that our expert solicitors also provide advice and support with various related offences, including:

Common questions about furlough fraud

Are HMRC still investigating furlough fraud?

While the CJRS was withdrawn on 29 October 2021, HRMC still have law enforcement capabilities which enable it to investigate allegations of furlough fraud.

What is the penalty for furlough fraud?

The penalty you could receive for furlough depends on the value of the alleged fraud, the role that you played and what charges are brought forward. It also depends on whether a case is held in the Magistrates or Crown Court.

If a case is held in the Magistrates you could face up to 12 months’ imprisonment, while if a case is heard in the Crown Court you could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment.

Alongside a term of imprisonment, you could also receive a fine.

What is the misuse of furlough?

There are several potential examples of a misuse of furlough which could amount to furlough fraud. These include:

  • Making a legitimate claim for furlough but then failing to update employee details (such as an employee returning to work)
  • Claiming furlough but then having an employee continue to work
  • Claiming furlough for employees who do not exist

Can I be prosecuted for working on furlough?

Individuals who worked while they were on furlough leave would not be held responsible. It is the employer’s responsibility to make sure that they did not work, which means that they will be the ones who could face prosecution.

Contact our furlough fraud solicitors now

If you are due to attend the police station for interview for allegations of furlough fraud, or require any urgent specialist advice, immediate representation, 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 furlough fraud cases

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

  • Umar Zeb
      • Umar Zeb
      • Senior Partner - Head of Private Client Crime
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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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