General & Serious Crime

You should seek specialist legal advice as early as possible, even if you have not been arrested or formally contacted by the police. Early advice enables us to understand the nature of the investigation, advise you on what to expect and develop a strategy to protect your position from the outset.

Where appropriate, we can engage with investigators on your behalf and advise on the wider implications of the investigation, including any impact on your reputation, career, business interests or family. Our lawyers regularly advise clients from the earliest stages of police and other law enforcement investigations.

Yes, we strongly recommend obtaining legal advice before attending an interview under caution, whether you have been arrested or have been invited to attend voluntarily.

What is said during an interview can have a significant bearing on the course of an investigation and any subsequent prosecution. We will advise you on the allegations and evidence available, prepare you carefully for the interview and represent you throughout, ensuring that your interests are protected.

Not every police investigation results in a charge. Early and strategic engagement can be important in seeking to achieve an early resolution.

Depending on the circumstances, this may include making representations to the police or prosecution, identifying weaknesses or inaccuracies in the evidence, or providing relevant material that assists the investigation. We consider from the outset what steps can properly be taken to bring an investigation to an end as quickly and discreetly as possible.

The starting point is that an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy in a police investigation until the point of charge.  However, this is just the starting point and each matter will need to be considered on an individual basis. Where it does become public, a police investigation can carry significant reputational consequences, particularly for high-profile individuals, senior professionals and those whose personal or business interests may attract media attention but the same can be said for those without a public profile who find themselves involved in an investigation that is reported on by the media.

We understand that protecting reputation and privacy can be as important as addressing the criminal allegations themselves. Where necessary, we work closely with the specialists in our Privacy & Media team to provide a coordinated legal and reputational strategy.