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Crime

Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Lawyers

Offences under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 are complicated and extremely serious, with the potential for a substantial prison sentence on conviction. Seeking specialist legal advice and representation as soon as possible is essential to make sure you can secure the best possible outcome.

 

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If you believe your case is likely to have serious consequences for you now, or in the future and you have the means to pay for this service

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At JD Spicer Zeb, our criminal defence solicitors have been representing clients facing the most serious and complex criminal charges for over 45 years. We can support you from the point of arrest by police or National Crime Agency (NCA) officers, as well as during every stage of any subsequent investigation or prosecution. We can also advise you before the point of arrest or being charged if you have concerns.

We know how confusing and worrying it can be to find yourself facing these types of serious criminal charges. Our team can offer clear, practical legal advice and sympathetic personal support to build the strongest possible defence, so you know exactly where you stand and what your legal options are, while making proceedings as easy as we can on you.

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Why choose JD Spicer Zeb?

  • 1000's Cases Dropped
  • 24/7 Emergency Phonelines
  • 100's Years Combined Experience
  • Google Reviews Read all Reviews

Recent Cases

There is limited recourse for you if you are falsely accused. Click a selection of the cases we have covered. The best thing you can do is to instruct an excellent solicitor from the outset.

R v N M - client acquitted of rape

Read more cases

Over the years we have achieved an enviable track record for clients to avoid being found guilty of a human trafficking offence and, in many cases, we are able to secure cases being dropped before they reach court. If you are charged with an offence under the Modern Slavery Act, we can support you through every stage of a prosecution, giving you the best chance of securing a favourable outcome.

Our highly experienced human trafficking lawyers offer:

  • 24/7 legal support in person and over the phone, 365 days a year
  • Representation anywhere in England and Wales
  • Accredited Police Station Representatives to support you during a police interview
  • Clear, effective legal advice in any language (see our languages spoken)

Speak to our human trafficking lawyers today

For a free initial consultation on your legal position and the available options, contact our local offices in LondonBirmingham or Manchester.

For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding a human trafficking offence, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

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.

Our expertise with modern slavery and human trafficking charges

The criminal defence team at JD Spicer Zeb have many years of experience handling the most serious and complex charges when it comes to offences under the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Our modern slavery and human trafficking lawyers can ensure you have the best possible advice and representation from your first contact with the police or National Crime Agency officers through every stage of any subsequent prosecution. We can also advise you if you have general concerns, even if you have not yet been arrested or contracted by the authorities.

Our criminal defence solicitors will look at all relevant factors including the types of evidence being used, making sure you can have the strongest possible defence. Using our experience and skill, we will make sure any flaws in the prosecution’s case are identified and any additional evidence required for your defence is efficiently gathered and used effectively for your case.  We have considerable expertise in gathering and analysing digital evidence.

Our modern slavery and human trafficking defence solicitors have been establishing relationships with many of the UK’s leading human trafficking and modern slavery barristers, so we can ensure that you have access to the very best legal representation if your case does go to trial.

Our expertise in handling criminal law matters, such as modern slavery and human trafficking, is reflected through our Law Society accreditation for Criminal Litigation. We also hold the Lexcel accreditation for the consistently high standards of our legal practice.

What to do if you are arrested for a modern slavery or human trafficking offence

If you are arrested in connection to a modern slavery offence, you need to remember your legal rights to help ensure you do not say or do anything to undermine your defence. Any mistakes made during a police interview can be very hard to recover from later.

The following should always be kept in mind when speaking to officers from the police or the National Crime Agency:

  1. You do not have to answer any questions asked by the police. Whether to do so or not requires a thorough understanding of your case and how the criminal justice system works. Legal advice should be taken before saying anything.
  2. You should never answer any police questions without a solicitor present.
  3. You have the right to free legal representation.
  4. You can use the duty solicitor available or choose your own lawyer.

At the point of arrest, the arresting officer must inform you of the specific offences you are accused of committing and they must caution you using the following words:

“You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.”

After a police interview for an offence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, there are various potential outcomes, including:

  • Being released with no further action being taken against you,
  • Being released under investigation,
  • Being detained in custody,
  • Being charged with a specific offence

If you are charged with an offence under the Modern Slavery Act 2015:

  • A hearing date will be set
  • You will either be:

Even if you are released with no further action or under investigation, it is important to be aware that you could be rearrested or summonsed to attend a court hearing at any time.

Pre-charge bail

Following an interview for a suspected Modern Slavery Act offence, you may be released on pre-charge bail (also simply known as being released on bail).

While on pre-charge bail, you will likely be subject to various bail conditions. Common conditions include restrictions on your movement or being required to visit the police station at designated times.

To find out more in relation to pre-charge bail, please use the links provided below:

Fees and funding

Our human trafficking and modern slavery solicitors are always clear and upfront about the fees and funding options available to you.

Legal Aid may be available in some cases, but this depends on the seriousness of the case and whether it will justify the grant of public funding.

If you do not qualify for Legal Aid, the alternative option is to fund the case on a private basis.

To find out more about the way we handle fees (both Legal Aid and private fees), please use the links provided below:

Related offences

We also provide support and guidance on various other matters that are related to modern slavery and human trafficking, including:

Commonly asked questions about modern slavery and human trafficking law

What offences are there under the Modern Slavery Act 2015?

The Modern Slavery Act consolidates existing offences around slavery and human trafficking. The Act covers the following types of offence:

Slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour

This is where:

  • A person is held in slavery or servitude by another person or persons
  • The victim is required to perform forced or compulsory labour
  • That the alleged offenders know or ought to know that the victim is being held in slavery or servitude and is being forced or compelled to perform labour

Human trafficking

This is where:

  • Someone arranges or facilitates the travel of another person with the intent for that other person to be exploited
  • The victim may or may not have consented to the travel
  • The travel can be within a country or between countries

What are some examples of slavery and human trafficking offences?

  • Prostitution – This concerns prostitution or forms of sexual exploitation. Women or young persons can be lured, often abroad, by the false promise of wealth and a better life.
  • Slavery or similar practices – People are moved from place to place and can sometimes be drugged to control them. Victims can be forced to call their family to send cash to secure their freedom; this can then be confiscated by gangs.
  • Forced labour, labour exploitation, or forced services – This can be linked to a debt to the trafficker and involves work in the construction, service, agriculture or entertainment services.
  • Servitude – When people are made to provide domestic work either through direct force or coercion by other means.
  • Smuggling migrants into the UK – Migrants can be illegally smuggled into the UK in vehicles such as aircraft or boats.

What are the penalties for Modern Slavery Act offences?

This will depend on the exact nature of the offence. For example, trafficking people for sexual exploitation can attract a sentence of up to 14 years custody on conviction.

The exact sentence on conviction for a modern slavery offence will depend on various factors, including:

  • The number of victims
  • Whether the victim/s were under 18
  • The nature of the exploitation
  • The length of the exploitation
  • Whether the victim/s were abducted
  • The use of violence or threats
  • Whether the victim/s were subjected to sustained and systematic psychological abuse

The sentence will also depend on the defendant’s level of culpability e.g. whether they were:

  • Directing or organising a modern slavery or human trafficking operation on a significant commercial basis
  • Carrying out an operation or management role within such an operation
  • Had only a limited role in the operation under the direction of others

What defences are there against a modern slavery or human trafficking allegation?

Your defence options will depend entirely on the circumstances, so it is vital to contact our specialist criminal defence solicitors as soon as possible. This allows us to review your situation and the evidence against you, then advise you on the right defence strategy to help you secure the best available outcome for your case.

A modern slavery allegation, just like any other criminal allegation, may be entirely false. It may be that a property or business you own was connected to the offence, but you were unaware of this and could not reasonably have known. If this is the case, we will look at all aspects of the prosecution case and uncover any other relevant evidence to help demonstrate that you were not involved in the offence in question.

If you accept that you were involved in an offence, we can look at options such as whether you only played a limited role and/or that you were forced or coerced into taking part. Evidence such as text messages, emails and other types of communication, as well as witness testimony, can often be critical to your defence in these circumstances.

Whatever your situation, our expert criminal defence solicitors have the specialist knowledge and experience handling these complex charges to ensure you have the best possible defence for every stage of proceedings.

Contact our human trafficking lawyers today

If you are due to attend the police station, need urgent specialist advice, immediate representation or wish to speak to us confidentially about an arrest or charges related to the Modern Slavery Act 2015, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact our dedicated modern slavery and trafficking solicitors in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

Or email: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

Alternatively, you can fill out our quick online enquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

24/7 legal representation for Modern Slavery Act charges

Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our expert criminal defence solicitors, as well as immediate representation and advice on dealing with an arrest or charges connected to the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

We are available to represent clients all over England and Wales at any time, so please contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556.

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