Business Litigation Unit

“One of the Top 200 Law firms” is how The Times Newspaper recently described Cobleys Solicitors with particular praise being lavished on our expertise dealing with financial crime, fraud and regulatory work such is the dynamic approach taken for those in need of representation.

The Business Litigation Unit at Cobleys Solicitors deals primarily with large scale fraud prosecutions, specifically those involving white collar crime, mortgage and tax frauds along with all major complex allegations of financial crime. We have represented individuals, Company Directors and Companies themselves who have been accused of such crimes. We have successfully defended clients in the most high profile cases brought by the Crown Prosecution Service, Serious Fraud office and HMRC.

Cobleys Solicitors pride themselves on their dynamic and forensic approach in relation to each case enabling our solicitors to provide immediate advice and support to those who are either under suspicion or investigation.

At Cobleys we understand that those individuals or companies that are intervened upon or disrupted by the actions of government agencies face the most harrowing time and require nothing other than the most robust representation available.

The Business Litigation Unit comprises one of the most talented fraud defence teams in the country. The representation provided to our clients is such that we now have a nationwide practice regularly dealing with cases in London, Birmingham and Manchester along with all other major cities in the United Kingdom. We accept cases on both a private and Legal Aid basis.

Examples of the types of work we have expertise in are as follows:

Serious Fraud Office Prosecutions
Mortgage Fraud
Tax Evasion
Tax Fraud
Section 2 Notices
Fraud Act Sentencing
National Crime Agency Prosecutions
Bribery and Corruption
Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime (POCA)
Freezing Orders/Injunctions
Credit Card and Internet Fraud
HM Revenue and Customs Prosecutions
Proceeds Of Crime Act Applications

Complementing the first class team of lawyers that work within the Business Litigation Unit is the use of the finest Barristers who are hand picked from Chambers all over the country. The combination of both solicitors and barristers with many years of experience has led to the successful defence of many delighted clients over many years.

Notable Cases include:

Regina v B – The Millennium Dome Fraud, Southwark Crown Court

This was a multi million pound fraud with clear political interest thereby attracting considerable publicity. The case against our client was dismissed.

Regina v S – Kingston Upon Thames Crown Court

Multi – million pound Missing Trader Intra Community (MTIC) fraud and money laundering case. This comprised a total loss to the taxpayer of in excess of £20 million pounds. After over 5 years of contested litigation this case was successfully defended and no evidence offered by the Prosecution after the threat of an abuse of process application relating specifically to the illegal use of probes by HMRC. This case involved multi-jurisdictional issues and specifically the state’s use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Regina v B – Chester Crown Court

Conspiracy to commit fraud. Multi- handed fraud involving the falsification of mileage relating to hundreds of chauffeur driven cars. The defendant was unanimously acquitted after an 8 week trial.

Regina v HS – Southwark Crown Court

This was a Serious Fraud Office prosecution of a qualified Solicitor alleging a conspiracy to defraud a building society out of millions of pounds. The case against our client was dismissed.

Regina v M – Southwark Crown Court

Serious Fraud Office prosecution. Multi million-pound fraud involving celebrity victims leading to the case having an international media dimension. Skilful negotiations led to an agreed Basis of Plea.

Regina v K & others – Croydon Crown Court

This was the largest prosecution by the MRHA of a Pharmaceutical case alleging the manufacture of counterfeit drugs on a worldwide basis and with a World Wide network of distribution.

The case against our client was dismissed after trial.

Regina v LS & Others – Prosecuted in the United States of America

Joint UK and US representation of a banker employed by Rabo Bank who was prosecuted by the U.S. Government for allegedly being involved in deliberately fixing Libor interest rates. This involved cross-jursidictional working with both American Attorneys, the U.S. Justice Department, the FBI and their legal representatives in order to negotiate a plea bargain. To facilitate such Eric insisted that this multi-party meeting took place in the United Kingdom and that any agreement was reached prior to our client leaving the jurisdiction and ratifying that agreement in a court hearing in New York.

The agreement successfully ensured that our client avoided any immediate custodial sentence.

Regina v MG – Bristol Crown Court

Prosecution by HMRC in relation to alleged carousel fraud trading of mobile telephones. This involved multi million pound evasion of VAT. The case against our client was dismissed.

Regina v GB & others – Southwark Crown Court

This was an allegation of corruption and bribery within the United Nations. Jurisdictions involved included the United Kingdom, The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Holland, Denmark and the United States. The legal team successfully agreed a favourable basis of plea.