Fraud allegations dealt with by the SFO are often involve very high value fraud offences involving huge quantities of evidence and material seized during an SFO investigation.
The SFO is a unique prosecution agency – it investigates, advises upon and prosecutes fraud and financial crime from beginning to end. A criminal investigation by the SFO can last years from the first dawn raid to the final court hearing at Southwark Crown Court. SFO investigations can result in many thousands of documents and pieces of evidence being seized and confiscated during a search of home and/or business premises with electronic and computing devices seized and digital evidence downloaded to support a prosecution for a serious and complex fraud.
The defence of SFO investigations and prosecutions necessitates instructing expert serious fraud solicitors and lawyers with specialist knowledge and expertise in defending serious fraud cases.
For example, The SFO have different powers than the Police often described as ‘pre-investigation stage’ powers under section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987. If you refuse to cooperate or answer questions at this stage of a serious fraud investigation by the SFO you have no right against self incrimination. This differs from a police investigation.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) have the power under section 2 of CJA 1987 to compel a person to attend for interview, produce documents or information under a section 2 Notice. The unique and wide ranging powers of the SFO have been extended under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
Speak with a legal expert
Reassurance and possible next steps
Learn about costs involved (no obligation)
Completely confidential conversation
This is why you need specialist Serious Fraud Office solicitors to defend and represent you if you are accused of a serious fraud. Wilkstone Law have specialist experience in advising clients who have received a Section 2 Notice from The SFO or who are the subject of a ‘pre-investigation’ for a serious fraud.
Where an SFO cases move from the Section 2 stage to a formal criminal investigation a request to attend for an interview under caution is likely to be made by the Serious Fraud Office. Any person invited to attend for interview at the offices of The SFO in London has a right to representation by a solicitor. An expert SFO defence Solicitor will make contact with the SFO investigator before any interview to obtain detailed written disclosure of the allegations and evidence alleged against a suspect. This will help you understand the allegations of fraud or other financial crimes that have being leased against you your expert serious fraud solicitor will also advise you on the best way to present your defence in interview to the Serious Fraud Office investigators.
Wilkstone Law has specialist experience in requesting written disclosure from the Serious Fraud Office, drafting detailed prepared statements on behalf of clients prior to interview with the SFO and representing clients during interviews held at the SFO offices. We will provide you with strategic and tactical advice in defence of any allegation of fraud or financial misconduct brought by the SFO at an early stage in your case and represent you during an interview with the SFO.
What you say during an interview with the SFO can influence what direction any SFO investigation takes and whether you are charged with a serious fraud offence, it is therefore imperative you take advice from a specialist solicitor experienced in defending cases brought by the Serious Fraud Office.
Internal lawyers and Barristers at the Serious Fraud Office will make a decision whether a suspect should be charged with a serious fraud or any associated financial offence. Prior to any formal fraud charges being brought, serious fraud defence solicitors can make written representations against you being charged to the SFO lawyers. Wilkstone Law solicitors are experiencing in making written representations against charge to the Serious Fraud Office.
If you have been charged by the Serious Fraud Office with an offence of fraud, financial offence or an offence under the Bribery Act 2010, our expert SFO solicitors are experienced in defending criminal allegations brought by the SFO in the Crown Court. Whilst the first court appearance for any serious fraud defence will be in the magistrates court, all SFO prosecutions will be sent to the Crown Court for Trial.
The specialist serious fraud defence solicitors at Wilkstone Law are experts in preparing your defence for a case prosecuted by the Serious Fraud Office in the Crown Court. Most crown court cases prosecuted by the SFO are dealt with in Southwark Crown Court.
We only use the best serious fraud Barristers in London or the in the regions to defend you in Crown Court – our years of experience in defending SFO cases means we have direct access to the best SFO defence Barristers in England and Wales and use the best Serious Fraud Barrister’s chambers in your defence.
Examples of cases where our expert serious fraud solicitors have defended or represented cases investigated or prosecuted by the SFO include:
If you have been the subject of a dawn raid by the SFO, have received a written Section 2 Notice from the SFO or have been asked to attend for interview under caution at the Serous Fraud Offices in London, contact Wilkstone Law immediately. Our expert serious fraud lawyers are on call to provide you with advice to help build a strategic and tactical defence against allegations of serious fraud alleged by the SFO against you or your business.
"Thank you so much for your hard work on the case…. we are delighted with the outcome"
"I just wanted to thank you again for all your help and advice over the last few months. Your calm, reassurance and professionalism has been so helpful"
"I appreciate all your help and support this year. During a very difficult time your approach, guidance and immaculate communication gave me comfort and clarity when I needed it most"
"Jon Wilkins leads the Firm which runs like clockwork - he is a very impressive lawyer"
"Jon Wilkins has excellent client skills and a great grasp of detail"
"Skilled at handling a range of fraud, general crime and motoring offences, his client base includes High Profile and High Net Worth individuals"
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrudLorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud
If you have been arrested, you should not answer police questions until you have received expert legal advice from criminal defence solicitors.
You should only confirm your name and basic personal details before requesting legal representation. You are entitled to free legal advice whilst in police custody, and early representation at the police station can significantly affect the outcome of a criminal investigation.
Wilkstone Law provide immediate police station representation and expert legal advice for clients accused of criminal offences throughout Cardiff and across England and Wales.
If you have been released on police bail or released under investigation, it is important to seek expert legal advice as soon as possible.
Our criminal defence solicitors can review the evidence, advise you in relation to the investigation and consider whether pre-charge engagement with the police may be appropriate. In some criminal cases, early representations can result in allegations being dropped or no further action being taken.
We can also advise upon:
Early strategic advice can strengthen your defence and improve the outcome of your case.
Wilkstone Law can provide independent expert legal advice and a second opinion regarding your criminal defence matter.
Our solicitors can obtain the police disclosure and paperwork from the Duty Solicitor, review the evidence and advise whether the legal advice previously provided was appropriate in the circumstances.
We regularly assist clients who require ongoing representation following release from police custody and can take over conduct of the case where appropriate.
Call us as soon as possible – we will agree a fixed fee consultation to discuss and advise upon your case. At this meeting, we will advise you upon what happens next and will apply for copies of the police statements and evidence before your first court appearance.
We will carefully consider the evidence and advise you upon the strength of the police evidence and upon any defence that you may have to the charges you face. There may be urgent steps that we advise you to take to strengthen your defence before you appear in court.
The first appearance in any court case is at the Magistrates Court – we can appear in court on your behalf to represent you.
If you have been charged with a criminal offence and required to attend court, you should seek legal advice immediately.
Our criminal defence solicitors in Cardiff can advise you upon:
The first hearing in a criminal case will usually take place before the Magistrates’ Court. Early preparation and expert representation can make a significant difference to the progression and outcome of proceedings.
Yes. The first call to Wilkstone Law is free.
During the initial call, we can provide general guidance regarding next steps and arrange a fixed fee consultation to discuss your case in greater detail. However, we cannot provide case-specific legal advice until formally instructed.
Consultations can usually be arranged at short notice either in person, by telephone, or via video conference.
Our fixed fee consultations start from £500 plus VAT.
Following the initial consultation, we are often able to provide a fixed fee quotation for representation throughout the lifetime of your criminal case.
Legal fees will depend upon several factors including:
Wilkstone Law also advise clients in relation to legal aid and Legal Aid Agency funding where available.
Wilkstone Law are accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Our Managing Director, Jon Wilkins, is recognised as a Grade A Solicitor by the Legal Aid Agency and is a recommended lawyer in The Legal 500.
Our criminal defence solicitors are highly regarded for providing expert legal advice and representation in serious and complex criminal cases.