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Money Laundering Defence Solicitors

Money laundering is a very serious criminal offence. An investigation or prosecution can have serious consequences for your business and for you personally. A successful prosecution could lead to heavy fines for your organisation and might result in the failure of your business, while you could suffer serious personal financial consequences and a potential prison sentence.

The laws relating to money laundering have the potential to make unwitting criminals of anyone. Businesses and professionals can be liable to criminal investigation sometimes out of mere inadvertence. The need for rigorous procedures to be in place cannot be overestimated.

At ABR Solicitors, we have the experience and know-how to advise on procedures and safeguards to prevent money laundering. We utilise our experience and an understanding of the relevant Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Client (KYC) provisions within your jurisdiction and industry. We can also assist in ensuring that you understand the requirements of your business under the Criminal Finances Act 2017.

Should you find yourself facing an investigation or prosecution for money laundering, our defence solicitors can advise and represent you, giving you the best chance of avoiding prosecution or securing the most favourable outcome possible if a prosecution is inevitable.

Our money laundering defence lawyers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and can be at your side for every stage of an investigation and any subsequent prosecution.

We routinely represent clients all over the UK, including cases involving assets worth many millions of pounds. We have strong expertise in proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), so can also assist with protecting your access to your assets.

Whether you are under investigation, are facing prosecution, or are simply concerned that an offence may have occurred within your business and are unsure what to do, we can provide clear, practical expertise grounded in years of effective defence work. We can advise on options such as self-reporting money laundering and Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) where appropriate.

If you are unhappy with the duty solicitor assigned to you at a police station and have been Released Under Investigation (RUI), we can take over your defence immediately.

ABR Solicitors is home to one of the leading business defence teams in the country. The prestigious Legal 500 client guide ranks us Tier 1 for General Crime and Tier 2 for Fraud in Yorkshire and the North East, while Chambers & Partners ranks us Band 1 for Crime and Band 2 for Financial Crime.

Get immediate expert representation for a money laundering investigation or prosecution

If you need immediate expert advice and representation for a money laundering investigation or prosecution at any time, please contact your local ABR Solicitors office in Leeds, Liverpool or London, Nottingham or Birmingham.

What our specialist money laundering defence lawyers can offer you

ABR Solicitors has advised and represented clients in relation to money laundering for many years. We have built a reputation for helping firms to put in place effective safeguards to minimise the risk of money laundering, as well as having an excellent track record for defending clients facing investigation and prosecution for money laundering offences.

Our expertise includes the Money Laundering Regulations 2007, shell companies and shell corporations, stock swaps, transfer of funds to offshore accounts and actions under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) .

Whatever your situation, our expert money laundering defence solicitors will work closely with you, giving you a clear understanding of your legal position and the steps you need to take.

We hold the following awards:

Fraud Law Firm of the year –UK (Corporate USA Awards 2019)
Fraud Law firm of the year England (Global Law Experts Annual awards 2019)
Best Fraud Law Firm – UK (Lawyers World 2019)
Best Specialist Criminal Law Firm –England (Legal Awards 2019)
Criminal law firm of the year-England (Lawyer International legal 100 awards 2019)
Fraud lawyer of the year-UK Rob Rode (Finance Monthly Fintech Awards 2019)

We are independently recognised as one of the leading business defence teams in the country. We are ranked Band 1 for Crime and Band 2 for Financial Crime by leading client guide Chambers & Partners, while the prestigious Legal 500 client guide ranks us Tier 1 for General Crime and Tier 2 for Fraud in Yorkshire and the North East.

Rob Rode who leads the team is described as “an extremely impressive and dynamic team leader” who “combines fearless tenacity with an exceptionally personable attitude”. He is an “experienced charismatic fraud lawyer”.

How we can protect your business against accusations of money laundering

Money laundering prevention safeguards

As a business, you need to take your obligations to prevent money laundering seriously. There are various safeguards you should have in place, the exact nature of which will depend on the nature of your business and the activities you carry out.

Using our experience and detailed understanding of the relevant Anti Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Client (KYC) provisions within your jurisdiction and industry, we can make sure you are effectively meeting your legal duty to prevent money laundering. We can also assist in ensuring that you understand the requirements of your business under the Criminal Finances Act 2017.

Self-reporting money laundering within your organisation

If you believe money laundering may have occurred within your organisation, self-reporting the issue to the authorities may be your best option. This can lead to any criminal proceedings being suspended, even if evidence of an offence is uncovered.

Following self-reporting, you may be able to enter into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA). This will involve paying a fine and making improvements to your organisation to avoid future offences, in exchange for a prosecution being halted.

Our specialist money laundering defence team can advise you on whether self-reporting is the best option for you and guide you through the self-reporting process where required.

Responding to a money laundering investigation

It is essential that you respond carefully to any investigation for money laundering. You must balance co-operating with investigators while avoiding any risk of compromising your defence.

Our team are highly experienced in helping businesses to navigate money laundering investigations, so can make sure you meet your legal obligations and avoid any missteps at every stage of an investigation and any subsequent prosecution.

Money laundering defence services

Being prosecuted for money laundering is a significant challenge, so it is essential that your defence is prepared effectively and that you have the very best representation for all court proceedings.

We have a strong track record of success with money laundering prosecutions, so can ensure all relevant evidence is collected and every possible angle of defence is considered. We can also assist you with securing representation from highly regarded specialist money laundering defence barristers with whom we have well-established relationships.

Confiscation proceedings & applications to vary restraint orders

If you are suspected of or found guilty of a money laundering offence, it is likely that you will be made subject to a restraint order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA). This can lead to both your personal property and business assets being frozen, causing you to immediately lose access to them.

Clearly this can present a serious problem for you, your business and your family, especially if you were not expecting this to happen. Should you find yourself in this position, our team are very effective at challenging restraint orders and are often able to see the conditions of an order varied. This can give you access to the funds and other assets you need to meet your essential needs.