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Corporate Crime, Fraud & Risk

Saturday, Mar-16, 2024

Corporate Crime, Fraud & Risk

In today's culture of state intervention, any business, however reputable, can get "the knock". It can come from almost any quarter, at almost any time and it has to be faced fearlessly and effectively. In these circumstances, the most important time is often immediately after the start of any investigation. It can be fatal to be blasé and fatal to be fatalistic. What is needed is realism, confidence in your legal advisers and the ability to respond appropriately. McCormicks can react at any time day or night and can get a team on the ground to deal with every aspect of what is thrown at you.

To be at the centre of an accusation of criminal activity or fraud, either as accuser or accused, is, to put it bluntly, a frightening experience. The scale and complexity of such an investigations can be almost overwhelming. To make them manageable you need to be able to avoid getting lost in the incidental details, identify the key issues quickly and pursue them relentlessly.

For many businesses however, the difference between success and failure rests on how they deal with risk in the first place. Avoiding criminal investigation or eventual prosecution ultimately depends upon what systems have been put in place to minimise risk, how well the business is set up to react to unforeseen events and how well it complies with the ever growing forest of regulations affecting it. McCormicks specialises in conducting due diligence exercises, advising on regulatory constraints and changes and implementing procedures designed to minimise risk.

From the outset of a case, the firm will advise a client as to his or her eligibility for legal aid and other potential ways of funding the case.

Experience

Our Corporate Crime, Fraud and Risk Management work is handled by specialists in the Criminal Department who have a wealth of experience in dealing with such matters, including the following:

  • Fraud prosecutions conducted by the Serious Fraud Office, the Special Compliance Office, HM Revenue & Customs, the Department of Work & Pensions and the Crown Prosecution Service Special Case Work Directorate
  • Investigations and Prosecutions conducted by HM Revenue & Customs and the Department of Trade and Industry
  • Civil Tax Investigations and Tribunals
  • Regulatory Investigations and Prosecutions conducted by Trading Standards, the Financial Services Authority, the Environment Agency and the Health and Safety Executive
  • Directors’ Responsibilities and Disqualification matters
  • Professional Disciplinary Matters including for example, Disciplinary Hearings before the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and The Solicitors Regulatory Authority
  • Internal Corporate Fraud Investigations.

McCormicks was in the first group of firms admitted to the Specialist Fraud Panel appointed by the Legal Services Commission (now the Legal Aid Agency) and successfully retained its appointment throughout the period of the Panel's existence. McCormicks has also been a member of the VHCC Panel of the Legal Aid Agency since its inception. McCormicks, therefore, has the experience, knowledge and expertise to carry out all types of Corporate Crime, Fraud and Risk work.

McCormicks has a unique reputation and expertise in this field and the team continues to receive a number of cases referred to it by other firms of solicitors in the North East who themselves are unable to handle complex and difficult fraud cases. McCormicks also boasts 3 solicitors holding the Higher Courts Qualification namely Geoffrey Rogers, Helen Taylor and Peter McCormick.

Geoffrey Rogers has ‘an excellent combination of experience and ability, allowing him to be at the cutting edge of criminal law in the region.” Chambers UK

This firm has been involved in some of the region’s most significant criminal cases. Geoffrey Rogers ‘is always well prepared and calm and has excellent knowledge of the law.” Chambers UK

"This Harrogate-based operation acts on allegations of fraud as well as regulatory matters such as trading standards investigations, prosecutions for the HSE and investigations and prosecutions by HM Revenue & Customs and the DTI." Chambers UK

 “Geoffrey Rogers leads the corporate crime and risk unit at McCormicks. This Harrogate-based operation acts on allegations of fraud as well as regulatory matters such as trading standards investigations, prosecutions for the HSE and investigations and prosecutions by HM Revenue & Customs and the DTI.” Chambers UK

With more than its fair share of ranked individuals, this firm is best known for the quality of its white collar work. Geoffrey Rogers heads the Corporate Crime and Risk Unit.” Chambers UK

"McCormicks' Crime Department is led by Geoff Rogers, who is praised for his "in-depth technical knowledge". In 2009 the practice was involved in a number of high profile matters involving Corporate Crime, Fraud and Money Laundering." The Legal 500

"This firm has been involved in some of the region's most significant criminal cases. It recently acted in a highly publicised kidnapping case involving a well-known Yorkshire Barrister. It also has expertise in white-collar crime and fraud matters, and its lawyers "guide clients and follow cases through from A to Z."" Chambers UK

This Professional Discipline team impresses clients with ‘its cooperative work ethic. The lawyers make you feel important and they prioritise your work.” Chambers UK.

Clients dub Peter McCormick ‘an intellectually clever, commercially astute lawyer who is very good to have on your side in a time of crisis.’ He applies his great depth of experience and legal knowledge in a calm and efficient manner.” Chambers UK

McCormicks’ Peter McCormick has an excellent reputation for contentious and non-contentious work across broadcasting, IP rights and sponsorship and for defamation complaints relating to print and broadcast media.” UK Legal 500

Clients say the firm is ‘a very professional outfit with excellent credentials, contacts and knowledge."

"Peter McCormick is known for his experience in sports law and has a reputation as being a powerful advocate of his client’s case. Clients say he is a ‘very commercial, straight-talking lawyer who is incredibly driven with a clear determination to succeed.” Chambers UK

Clients say ‘They don’t just lay down the law. The advice we receive is pragmatic, common-sense and fits with the environment we are working within. Peter McCormick offers clients an authentic understanding of sports regulation and is applauded by sources for infusing his advice with commercial sense.” Chambers UK

According to one source this team ‘does what is said on the tin.’ Peter McCormick is ‘thoroughly competent and absolutely responsive.” Chambers UK

Geoffrey Rogers is the name to note at McCormicks; he, Helen Taylor and Peter Minnikin have ‘in-depth technical knowledge’ in relation to fraud, regulatory and POCA confiscation matters. Name partner Peter McCormick is ‘particularly experienced in dealing with white-collar fraud and corporate wrongdoing’.” - Legal 500

“Geoffrey Rogers heads the corporate crime and risk unit of the criminal practice at McCormicks in Harrogate. Rodgers is a supervisor on the Specialist Fraud Panel and Very High Cost Cases Panel and handles a range of commercial, white-collar fraud and other matters. Recent instructions include defending a store manager in relation to a substantial money-laundering fraud allegation involving international jurisdictional issues, a number of cases relating to contested variations of confiscation orders before the Crown Court, and various instructions by solicitor defendants in fraud and theft of client money cases. Peter Minnikin was promoted to the partnership in August 2016 and specialises in all aspects of corporate crime, fraud and regulatory work.” - Legal 500

“Geoff Rogers heads the regulatory and criminal investigations group at Harrogate-based firm McCormicks. The firm is a member of the Very High Cost Cases Panel and is instructed on general crime and fraud cases. Senior associate Sara Morgan is also of note and is instructed on professional regulatory work. Recent highlights for the team include defending individuals in cases involving sexual assault and historical sexual abuse, gangland shootings, drug conspiracy, and gross negligence manslaughter. Peter Minnikin was promoted to the partnership in August 2016 and is instructed on a range of general crime matters, including drug, violence and sexual offence cases, as well as a range of regulatory work.” - Legal 500