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Fraud Offences Articles

How to find the best Fraud Lawyer in the UK?

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Being charged with any sort of crime is a very nerve-wracking experience. From the anxiety of being unsure of your future, to wondering what others may think of you, even just the thought of getting a criminal record can be paralysing. When it comes to fraud, it is crucial that you find the right lawyer to ensure that you get the greatest amount of help to keep your record clean and let the truth speak for itself. But finding the right lawyer for your fraud case is a daunting task in and of itself. In this article, we will help you understand your fraud case more, and assist you in finding the right lawyer for your case. Let’s dive in.

Fraud: A quick overview

As defined by the Fraud Act 2006, the criminal charge of fraud covers quite a few different scenarios, but generally speaking, you have committed the act of fraud if you have:

  • given false representation in order to gain or to disadvantage another person;
  • failed to disclose information that you had a legal duty to do so, with the intention of being dishonest for personal gain, or another person’s disadvantage; or
  • used your position of trust (a position in which you are expected to safeguard the financial interests of another) to gain or to bring about their loss.

Here are some examples:

  1. You lied to someone about an investment idea, so they would invest with you and you could take their money.
  2. As a financial advisor, you abused your position of trust and told your clients to invest in a bad stock so that you could get commission from their trades.
  3. As a business owner with a publicly traded company, you lied about the quarter’s losses to improve your chances of gaining more shareholders.

As fraud is more of a general crime that encompasses many different actions, the sentencing range can vary quite a bit. If you are given a summary conviction, you will be liable to imprisonment for up to 12 months, or a fine. If you are convicted on indictment, you could be jailed for up to 10 years, and/or given a fine as well. Regardless, this is a crime that requires a specialist lawyer.

What to look for in a fraud lawyer

When it comes to finding a lawyer for your case, it is vital that you take your time and know exactly what kind of lawyer you are looking for, as fraud offences are quite unlike other criminal charges.

Because fraud is a unique offence that can last over many years, or a very short period, it is vital that you find a specialist fraud lawyer that has a very strong attention to detail and leaves no stone unturned. Having your criminal lawyer miss an important detail that would be able to show your honesty in question would be disastrous. Furthermore, because many scenarios involving fraud turn upon whether or not the perpetrator in question made false representation dishonestly, having a lawyer that can see people’s intentions clearly will be of high importance.

Moreover, because fraud trials are highly unique, in that the crime can occur in many different contexts and circumstances (from gambling events, pyramid schemes, and business deals) it is imperative that you focus on lawyers that have a vast amount of experience in the specific realm of fraud offences.

Why? For one, not using a specialised fraud lawyer could lead to a misinterpretation of the facts in question, given the many different ways fraud can be perceived falsely given the circumstances one is involved in. Secondly, having a specialist lawyer means that they will have navigated these same circumstances – or very similar ones – time and time again, and will be able to use their massive storehouse of background knowledge to increase your chances of having a fair and honest trial.

Overall, finding a specialist fraud lawyer is crucial if you want to have the best chance of success in such a complex matter. But that raises the question: where exactly does one find the best fraud lawyer?

Where to find the best fraud lawyers?

As with anything, there are many different ways to find the best lawyer for your case. In this article, however, we have garnered some of the most reliable methods we know of in order to make your search that much easier.

A quick internet search

Yes, this may seem like the first thing anyone would do, so why are we mentioning it? Simply, it’s because it works! That said, it is also important to look for the right keywords, such as: “specialist fraud lawyer in London,” “fraud solicitors near me,” “fraud law firms,” and so on. This will help you narrow down your results. If you are looking to be discreet with your search, make sure to turn on private browsing mode.

Word of mouth

While you may feel hesitant about sharing your situation with your co-workers, talking to the right people can help you find the best fraud lawyer in your area. If you are in a sophisticated business, chatting with some of your trusted mentors or advisors that may have gone through false fraud charges or similar scenarios will greatly help you find the perfect lawyer for your case. As an added bonus, using word of mouth to find a lawyer for your case comes with the benefit of hearing about cases they have worked on directly so you can gauge if they would be a good fit for you relatively quickly.

Check the Law Society website/directory

One of the best places to look for a fraud lawyer online is the web page for the UK Law Society. From this site you will be able to search for a specific solicitor that meets certain criteria you set out, such as their legal speciality(ies), their location, and their accreditations, so you can be sure you are getting the legal advice you deserve.

Review industry rankings

While this may take a bit more digging than other methods, using the internet or other mediums (such as magazines or news articles) to review the industry rankings of law firms and barristers/solicitors in your area is one of the best ways you can find the most prepared and trusted lawyer for your fraud case. A great example of an industry ranking director is Legal 500, which is one of the world’s leading legal directories. You can search for individual lawyers, firms, and private practices.

Magazines and articles

Another method for finding the best fraud lawyers is to look for them by browsing magazine articles and newspapers that deal with similar content. For example, if you are looking to find a local fraud lawyer for a commercial issue, you can review some articles from the Commercial Fraud Lawyers Association (CFLA). The great part about this method is that it allows you to sometimes spot how other lawyers deal with cases similar to yours, so you can understand the legal process for your case before you begin meeting with a fraud specialist.

How much does a fraud lawyer typically cost?

Generally speaking, a criminal defence lawyer in the UK can cost anywhere from £120-400+ per hour, depending on their level of expertise and experience in the field. However, there are different types of fee arrangements to be aware of that are different from the classic hourly billing schema.

Fixed fee structure

With this type of agreement, the lawyer will determine the approximate costs to complete the issue at hand for you and charge you a flat fee for completing it. It is important to note that these prices do not typically include disbursements or VAT costs, which will be extra. There may also be some extra assumptions, such as making sure the case stays at a certain level of complexity or else the agreement will change.

Retainer agreements

In some cases, the lawyer will require payment up front, which is known as a retainer. This will vary greatly depending on the case in question and the lawyer you are working with, so it could be anywhere from a few hours’ time to a large sum.

As a quick side note, it is important to remember that fees may also vary depending on your jurisdiction. As an example, firms located in the London area are usually more expensive than other locations.

Where to get more help

If you are concerned about a criminal fraud case, we can help. Stuart Miller Solicitors is an industry leading group for criminal fraud cases with decades’ worth of experience, and we have dealt with many different fraud cases in London and surrounding areas. We can help you finally get peace of mind. Get in touch with one of our fraud specialists today for a free, non-judgmental consultation. Let’s get you back on the right side of the law where you belong.

OUR COMMITMENTS TO YOU:

  • Responsive

    A legal expert will consult you within 24 hours of making an enquiry.

  • Empathetic

    We will always treat you with trust, understanding and respect.

  • Specialised

    Your case will be handled by an expert who specialises in your type of offence.

  • Proactive

    We will take early action to end proceedings as soon as it is practically and legally possible to do so.

  • Engaged

    You will be kept updated on your case at all times. We will provide a named contact available to answer your questions.

  • Caring

    We understand this is a difficult and stressful time for you and your family. Our team will support you every step of the way.

  • Tenacious

    We will never give up on your case. We fight tirelessly to get you the best possible outcome.

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