Fraudulent Trading Solicitors

Speak to our fraudulent trading defence solicitors today

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

For urgent advice at any time of day or night regarding fraudulent trading, please call our Emergency Number 07836 577 556.

You can also email us at solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk or fill out our online enquiry form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Our expertise with fraudulent trading

As a team, we have over 45 years of experience in handling various criminal matters, including charges related to fraudulent trading. Putting our expertise into action, we are perfectly positioned to provide you with a strong fraudulent trading defence, no matter how complex the issue at hand may be.

Investigations into fraudulent trading have the potential to lead to serious penalties, including lengthy prison sentences in some cases. It is therefore in your best interests to seek specialist legal advice when you are facing allegations of fraudulent trading.

Our criminal defence team includes several accredited police station representatives who can provide advice and representation 24/7 to anyone who has been arrested for fraudulent trading.

Over the years, we have been successful in securing positive outcomes for our clients, including where court proceedings have been launched. We will work with you to build a robust defence and provide you with the representation you need at both the Magistrates’ and Crown Court.

In addition to this, we have established strong relationships with some of the country’s leading specialist fraud barristers. As a result, we can provide you with trouble-free access to top-tier legal representatives whom have the skills and expertise required to secure the best available outcome for your case.

If you are accused of fraudulent trading, we understand how difficult a situation this is likely to be for you, your family, and your business. Our dedicated team of fraudulent trading solicitors combine stellar legal representation with a close personal service so you will be able to keep track of all of the issues that may impact your case.

We are accredited by the Law Society for Criminal Litigation and have also achieved Lexcel accreditation, reflecting the high standards of our legal practice.

As a testament to the high standards of client care our team provides, we frequently receive referrals and recommendations from clients who have been satisfied with our legal services which we have been providing for over 45 years.

Pre-Charge bail

If you are released on pre-charge bail (also known as being released on bail), the police will continue their investigation before they make a final charging decision.

Whilst the police make their decision, they may impose certain bail conditions. This may restrict where you can go, or place requirements on you to attend the police station on a certain day.

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

• Pre-charge bail and Released Under Investigation (RUI)
• On Bail But Not Charged - What Does It Mean?
• How long can you be on bail without charge UK?

Common questions about fraudulent trading

What is fraudulent trading?

Fraudulent trading is a criminal offence. In simple terms, fraudulent trading involves a company conducting business with the deliberate intention of deceiving or defrauding its creditors or any other interested party, or for any fraudulent purpose. Crucially, it is irrelevant whether the company is wound up or not. If a company is found to have engaged in fraudulent trading, every person who was knowingly a party to it is guilty of an offence.

It is important to distinguish fraudulent trading from wrongful trading. Wrongful trading is a civil matter, rather than a criminal one, and will relate to situations where directors continue to trade in the hope that they will be able to reverse a situation that is likely to end in insolvency. Despite being a civil matter, the consequences of wrongful trading are still serious, so whilst we cannot ourselves provide representation, we strongly recommend that you seek legal advice.

What is the sentence for fraudulent trading?

If you are convicted of fraudulent trading, the maximum sentence you can receive is 10 years’ imprisonment. For offences that took place before 15^th January 2007, the maximum sentence is 7 years’ imprisonment.

However, the actual sentence given to a person convicted of fraudulent trading will be influenced by a number of factors, particularly an offender’s culpability, and the harm caused.

What mitigating circumstances might be considered?

Various mitigating factors may be considered by the prosecution when they are presiding over a fraudulent trading case. These include:

• No previous convictions
• Previous good character and/or exemplary conduct
• Serious medical conditions requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
• Age and/or lack of maturity
• Mental disorder or learning disability
• Sole or primary carer for dependents
• Cooperation with an investigation
• Steps taken to address offending behaviour

What is the difference between long and short term fraud?

Where a business has been set up with the sole purpose of defrauding, this often known as ‘long-term’ fraud. These types of businesses will often buy assets that they can quickly and easily sell before disappearing.

Conversely, ‘short-term’ fraud occurs where a fraudulent business makes no attempt to build trust, but instead immediately buy whatever they can using credit before disappearing.

Contact our fraudulent trading lawyers now

For urgent specialist advice, immediate police station representation or to speak to us confidentially about a charge of fraudulent trading or any other criminal matter, please do not hesitate to get in touch.

You can contact a member of our dedicated team of criminal defence lawyers in London, Birmingham, and Manchester by telephone on:

• Brent & Camden London Office: 020 7624 7771
• Manchester Office: 0161 835 1638
• Birmingham Office:  0121 614 3333
• City of London: 0207 624 7771 our senior Solicitors and Partners can meet by appointment in the City.

You can also email us at: solicitors@jdspicer.co.uk

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

24/7 fraudulent trading defence

Please get in touch for a free initial consultation with one of our expert fraudulent trading solicitors, as well as for immediate advice and representation.

For immediate representation and advice, you can contact our Emergency Number: 07836 577 556 and we will provide you with the urgent assistance you need.