Business Crime and Fraud
Bivonas Law was established in 1997 and has always specialised in the defence of white collar crime.
Historically Bivonas Law has been instructed in the defence of many of the highest profile financial crime cases, including Ponzi schemes, carbon trading frauds, government contract procurement frauds, insider dealing, boiler room frauds, complex tax evasion, and cases involving financial markets’ manipulation.
Bivonas Law frequently advises and represents clients who have been the subject of search and seizure by investigating agencies. We provide immediate advice to our clients including personal attendance at the scene of a search to ensure compliance with strict statutory guidelines and where appropriate to negotiate the ambit of the search and minimise disruption to any business activity.
We have a track record for successfully challenging the validity of search warrants in the High Court.
Bivonas Law frequently advises and represents clients who have been the subject of search and seizure by investigating agencies. We provide immediate advice to our clients including personal attendance at the scene of a search to ensure compliance with strict statutory guidelines and where appropriate to negotiate the ambit of the search and minimise disruption to any business activity.
We have a track record for successfully challenging the validity of search warrants in the High Court.
The members of the business crime team have extensive experience of attending interviews under caution at police stations and also at the offices of other investigating agencies. Being interviewed can be an extremely stressful and unnerving experience. It is imperative that anyone who is required to attend an interview under caution should be represented by an experienced lawyer who can provide them with clear advice and ensure that they are fully prepared. We will request disclosure of the evidence relied on by the investigator and will advise on whether it is appropriate to answer questions, provide a prepared statement or exercise the right to silence.
In addition to interviews conducted under caution we also represent clients who are required to attend and be interviewed pursuant to the exercise of compulsory powers. These include powers of the Serious Fraud Office under section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987 and of the Financial Conduct Authority under sections 171 and 172 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
Similarly, sections 235 and 236 of the Insolvency Act 1986 provide that an office holder in a company (a liquidator, an administrator or a receiver) can require its former officers and employees to attend to answer compulsory questions in relation to the company’s affairs and require them to deliver up any company documents or property in their possession.
Bivonas Law has successfully represented clients in some of the most high profile white collar crime trials of recent years. We have been instructed in more than 200 serious and complex white-collar cases. At least 100 have proceeded to full trial, most of them being KC led.
The firm is also recognised as a market leader in the field of proceeds of crime litigation and has acted in a number of high profile money laundering and confiscation cases.
We routinely advise in relation to:
- Proceeds of Crime Act Investigations
- Civil Recovery Investigations
- Cash Seizures
- Production Orders
- Restraint Orders
Key Contacts
