EncroChat arrests - we can help
It is being reported that law enforcement agencies in a number of countries have gained access to what was dubbed the world’s most secure communications network. The EncroChat system provided high-level encryption that was almost impossible to crack and meant that communications could not be intercepted. It was commonly operated on Aquarius devices that were themselves encrypted and offered a facility whereby all of the data could be erased at speed in the event of an emergency.
It is not an offence to use encrypted communications. Every communication between a mobile phone banking app and the bank servers is encrypted for very good reason. WhatsApp is encrypted. It is not an offence to have an Aquarius phone or similar or to use encryption because you are concerned about your privacy.
On 2nd July, the National Crime Agency and officers from every police force in the United Kingdom coordinated with law enforcement around the world to make a large number of arrests. It is being reported that those arrests arose out of the access that had been gained to the EncroChat network.
The fact of an arrest does not mean a person is guilty. Many people who are prosecuted each year are, in fact, not guilty and are acquitted.
If you were caught up in the arrests that took place or if you are concerned about your position, or worried about the reports in the media about EncroChat, then it is important that you receive expert advice from the very earliest stage. Lawyers from JD Spicer Zeb have an unrivalled track record in representing people accused of the most serious offences. The right approach, taken early on, can make the difference between conviction and acquittal.
Our solicitors and barristers have excellent recent experience of dealing with very serious allegations. We always use the best barristers for your case. We have good links with the most senior barristers in criminal law. We have represented clients accused of the most serious cases in criminal courts. Having an experienced team on your side will make a difference to the outcome of your case. The partners of this firm have many years of experience in dealing with serious and complex cases. We are able to dedicate a specialist team to your case. We also work with leading forensic experts to go through the prosecution case. We have substantial experience of working on NCA, HMRC, CPS prosecutions. We also act in extradition cases and have conducted high profile cases.
The prosecution will be investigating Encrochat used in conspiracies. A Criminal Conspiracy is an agreement between two or more people to commit a particular crime. The law is that if you make such an agreement, intending that it be carried out, then you and everyone you agreed with are guilty of the crime you agreed to carry out. Those involved in the alleged conspiracy can have particular roles. For example, in a drugs conspiracy you would have drugs runners, couriers, managers and others. To be guilty, you need to have agreed to play some part in carrying out what was intended.
We have dealt with a wide range of drug related offences such as:
- Possession of drugs
- Possession with intent to supply drugs
- Being concerned in the supply of drugs
- Conspiracy to supply drugs
- Cultivation of drugs
- Production of a controlled drug
- Importation of drugs
- Permitting premises to be used for drugs
- And related offences such as abstracting electricity, money laundering and any ensuing confiscation proceedings.
We can also help with a wide range of conspiracies including conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to steal ,conspiracy to rob, conspiracy to defraud.
You should instruct us –
Our clients keep coming back, we have a large team of experienced lawyers, clients and professionals recommend us. See out list of cases we have undertaken. We are recognised as a leading Criminal law Firm in London, Birmingham and Manchester.
So, whether you are being accused of being part of a conspiracy, have been arrested, charged or released on bail or under investigation, it is important that you get in touch with our specialist conspiracy defence solicitors as soon as possible.
Contact us for expert advice. We can provide initial free advice to you. where necessary we can obtain a barristers advice at the outset about your case.
Contact our team
- Umar Zeb uzeb@jdspicer.co.uk
- Lisa Nicol Lnicol@jdspicer.co.uk
- James O’Donnell JO'Donnell@jdspicer.co.uk
In the urgent case that you are arrested or are required to return to a Police Station, be sure to call us for immediate representation and advice on either our office telephone number or our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556 and we will provide you with all the legal assistance you need.
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.