Financial Crime
As a result of the ever-changing technical landscape, allegations of financial crime are on the increase. It is extremely important to secure representation from counsel with both legal and financial experience.
Rhys previously worked at the Royal Bank of Scotland in Portfolio Management, as well as having spent time with Bank of Americaand leading commercial law firms.
Money Laundering
Increasingly, the prosecution is seeking to rely on the circumstances in which money is seized to try and prove money laundering. This shows the importance of ensuring you have a legal team in place who will challenge the evidence and make sure that your explanation is properly put forward.
Rhys regularly deals with complex cases involving money laundering, including cases of asset-based layering. Rhys is experienced in carrying out complex tracing exercises in order to demonstrate that the origins of funds are legitimate. Rhys is often instructed in multi-handed cases which are alleged to involve high pressure sales tactics.
It is essential that your legal representation properly understands that there is a difference between dishonesty and taking a commercial advantage. This can only be relied upon to a client’s benefit where the team has sufficient experience but has also has the time to properly understand your case.
Fraud and Conspiracies to Defraud
Offences of fraud can often be extremely complex. Rhys has experience in dealing with all types of fraud including Asset Based Layering, MTIC and Boiler Rooms. Rhys has the ability to consider vast amounts of material and to analyse it, in order to properly challenge the underlying allegation.
Rhys has been instructed to represent both corporates, directors and individuals across various industries. Rhys has also dealt with complex allegations of fraud by false accounting and has carried out meticulous consideration of prosecution experts.
Rhys is unique in that he has the understanding of how accountants and financial experts put their case together. Rhys has completed several accounting and financial qualifications, as well as having received leading training from various providers.
Tax Evasion and Fraudulent Loan Applications
Duty fraud and evasion of VAT are offences which are expected to be prosecuted more often in the coming years.
Rhys is instructed in several matters where HMRC and the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC).
Having been regularly instructed to liaise with HMRC and other investigating bodies during the pandemic and thereafter, Rhys has developed a rigorous approach for dealing with requests for documentation and explaining complex financial transactions.
Rhys also deals with commercial acquisitions on a direct access basis, including both multi-million pound corporate acquisitions and land purchases.
It is widely anticipated that the NECC will work alongside other investigating authorities, as such it is essential to ensure a joined up approach with a single point of contact.
Directors Disqualification Proceedings
The first stage often in proceedings relating to Directors Disqualification is that the Insolvency Service will seek a disqualification. Rhys has been instructed regularly to oppose these or to alternatively to draft undertakings.
If the disqualification is made and a director continues to be named or acts as a shadow director, the consequences can be severe. The sentence can often be a sentence of immediate custody and this may be accompanied by proceeds of crime proceedings.
