Areas Of Expertise

If you find yourself under investigation for a business crime or you are accused of business fraud it can be a very distressing and worrying time. At John Fuller and Partners Solicitors we act in the defence of both businesses and individuals who are being investigated for business crime or fraud.

We have successfully defended business crime prosecutions brought by HM Revenue and Customs and other prosecuting authorities. We use some of the most widely recognised and leading experts in their fields.

Each year we defend many individuals and businesses against financial investigations from investigators such as

• The Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
• Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• National Crime Agency (NCA)
• The City of London Police
• Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
• HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

We have extensive expertise in Road Traffic offence defence and all aspects of Motoring Law. We defend all types of motoring offences, including Speeding, Drug Driving, Drink Driving, Failure to stop, Failure to report and Careless Driving.

Our specialist knowledge means that we frequently defend motorists on the more technical offences relating to allegations of Failure to Identify the Driver, Driving without Insurance, Driving without due care & attention and Driving Licence offences.

Have you been caught speeding or have you received a Notice of Intending Prosecution (NIP)? If so then you’re at risk of getting at least three penalty points. In some cases, you could also be facing a driving disqualification or ban, this could be because of the ‘Totting up Rule’ or because of the speed you were driving at.

A drink driving offence carries a mandatory disqualification of 12 months and depending on your personal alcohol reading, it may be longer than this. In the most serious cases there is a risk of a prison sentence being imposed. It is essential to get expert advice at the earliest possible opportunity.

With Drug Driving the initial test will be by saliva swab. Analysis of the swap will show whether the driver has taken cocaine or cannabis. In the event the test is positive the police will take the suspect into custody to have a blood test. In the event you are convicted of drug driving the powers of the courts are similar to those when sentencing drink driving cases. On a guilty plea or if found guilty after trial, you can expect a minimum 12 month driving ban, a fine up to £5000 and costs. As with extreme cases of drink driving, the courts will always retained the powers to pass a custodial sentence if they deem the offence so serious that only custody is appropriate.

Dangerous driving has always been a serious criminal offence, more so if fatal consequences follow. It is important to have expert help, advice and assistance at the earliest possible stage in any police investigation as they are often complex and carried out by a specialist unit. The difference between being convicted of careless or dangerous driving is often technical. A conviction not only carries the risk of imprisonment but also compulsory disqualification and the need to take a retest. As careless driving carries 3 to 9 penalty points it is important that your case is properly presented so that the court impose the least possible number of points. A conviction for either offence will lead to increased insurance premiums.

In many circumstances the loss of your driving licence can mean the loss of your livelihood and we frequently advance ‘Special Reasons’ and ‘Exceptional Hardship’ arguments which enable clients to retain their licences. We have an excellent track record in the robust defence relating to retaining your driving licence or reducing the term of the ban.

We have experience in successfully defending extremely serious criminal investigations and prosecutions brought by specialist police teams, including the National Crime Agency (Formerly SOCA),  the HMRC and other Major Investigation Teams.

Our recent cases include:-

Homicide
Money laundering
Corruption
Kidnap
Blackmail
Conspiracy to import drugs
Conspiracy to supply drugs

We have a regionally recognised defence team who are experts in dealing with all aspects of these complex investigations.

It is a sad fact that many cases of alleged sex offences before the court are prosecuted with unsupported oral evidence. This means that the likelihood of a wrongful conviction is more likely than for other crimes. Being faced with a false allegation can be very distressing and can destroy families. It is important for you to know that you have the right team in your corner.

We offer a caring and sympathetic approach to our clients but will defend them with a doggedness and determination required to secure justice for those wrongly accused of these offences.

Sexual offences cover a range of serious crimes, the most serious of which can carry major sentences.   Offences vary from direct sexual contact with another individual, typically in offences such as rape, sexual assault, or grooming of an underage child, to less directly intrusive offences such as possession of indecent images of children.

As with many serious crimes, evidence in these cases may focus on DNA or can rest on the word of one party against the other, if a question of consent is central.

We have a number of “go to” barristers who specialise in this highly sensitive field of expertise. John Fuller and Partners have a proven track record in successfully defending those wrongly accused of sex offences.

It is during the early stages of any criminal investigation when the foundations of a successful defence are best laid. As investigations always start at the police station, this is where you will need a solicitor.

Police station representation during your detention at the police station can be critical and we know that the whole progress of a criminal investigation is often dependent upon things said or done whilst in police custody.

We have an out-of-hours emergency telephone service number and attend at the police station 24 hours a day, 365 days a year FREE OF CHARGE.

The department provides advice concerning:

Police Station Representation
Advice and representation when in custody and in interview
Standalone (Voluntary) Interviews
Advice to third parties when a relative or friend is in custody
Non-Police Interviews – all cases where an individual is wanted for questioning by HM Revenue and Customs, Serious Fraud Office, Department of Work and Pension, Department of Trade and Industry or any other investigative agency

Everyone interviewed under caution by the police is entitled to free legal advice and assistance.

We represent clients in Magistrates Court cases, both in Hertfordshire and throughout England in all types of cases ranging from minor but important motoring offences, to the most serious of criminal allegations.  The Partners between them have over seventy years of experience in appearing at the Magistrates Court for bail applications, pleas in mitigation, contested trials and ancillary hearings.

We undertake thorough and detailed preparation to respond in your best interests to the charges brought. We have an established network of expert witnesses to assist in our preparation for your case should the need arise. Representation can be through the Legal Aid scheme (where means testing applies) or on a private fee paying agreement. Find out whether you are eligible for publicly funded representation use this link or call us.

With varied and wide-ranging sentencing powers now available to the Youth Court, a high level of expertise, sensitivity and experience is required when dealing with the special demands that come with Youth Court cases. This is provided by our dedicated Youth Crime team, regardless of whether the offences are minor or serious in their nature.

The department provides advice on a daily basis concerning

• Advice and representation for youths at the police station
• Advice and representation for youths at all stages of proceedings in the Youth Court and Crown Court including pleas, bail applications, trials and sentencing
• Advice on appeals to the Crown Court against Youth Court decisions

Crown Court cases are the most serious and complex matters within the criminal justice system.  At John Fuller and Partners, we appreciate that this is an intimidating environment for our clients.

Preparation for the Crown Court begins at an early stage, with the client fully advised as to the procedures and likely outcomes.  We appoint tried and trusted barristers who are instructed from specialist chambers.

Crown Court cases routinely handled include

• Robbery
• Kidnapping
• Drug trafficking/importations
• Multi handed conspiracies
• Murder
• Manslaughter
• Serious sexual offences