Investigation and criminal defence
An early response protects position and procedure
In a criminal matter, the first statement and preservation of digital or financial evidence may influence the entire case. We approach each matter confidentially, reviewing the alleged characterization, evidence, procedure, and legal safeguards before building a defence or supporting an injured party’s claim.
Our work may include attendance at investigation, defence submissions, examination of evidence and reports, appeals, and enforcement. We do not promise outcomes; we explain the position, options, risks, and available steps professionally.
Scope of criminal representation
Strategy depends on the stage, the client’s status, the type of evidence, and the legal characterization.
Investigation and questioning
Preparation, understanding allegations, reviewing records, and protecting procedural safeguards.
Business-related offences
Trust, management, documents, and funds while distinguishing personal and corporate responsibility.
Cybercrime
Messages, accounts, devices, digital reports, and the context of publication, access, or use.
Appeal and enforcement
Review of judgment, reasoning, procedure, and evidence and preparation of appeal grounds.
A defence based on facts and safeguards
We preserve confidentiality and distinguish established facts from issues requiring challenge or expertise.
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01
Identify stage and status
We determine whether the matter is at inquiry, investigation, trial, appeal, or enforcement.
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02
Examine evidence and procedure
We review statements, documents, reports, acquisition of evidence, meaning, and available arguments.
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03
Build and manage the defence
We organize facts, arguments, and remedies, attend procedures, and update the client.
Protect the legal position from the first procedure
The first account, preservation of evidence, and understanding procedural capacity may affect every later stage.
Understand allegation, capacity, and stage
We identify the alleged characterization, whether the client is accused, injured party, or witness, the authority, stage, and earlier procedures. This allows preparation for questioning or hearing and clarification of rights and requests rather than treating a summons as a generic event.
Preserve evidence without alteration
Messages, devices, accounts, financial records, and surveillance may change or disappear. We advise preservation of originals, metadata, and acquisition history and warn against deletion, editing, or contact that could later be interpreted outside its intended context.
Test the account against the evidence
A chronology distinguishes what the client directly knows from later inference and compares it with reports, digital data, and other accounts. This reveals agreement, contradiction, and issues needing procedural argument, expert evidence, or witnesses.
Confidential, structured handling of a sensitive matter
We begin with limited information sufficient for a conflict check and urgent triage, then agree a suitable channel for sensitive records. Summonses, reports, decisions, and available evidence are reviewed, and the client is told the stage, what to prepare, and what should not be circulated outside the responsible team.
During investigation or trial, submissions, arguments, and requests are prepared around the evidence and procedure without promises of outcome. Where the client is an injured party, we also assess proof of loss, the private claim, and its relationship with the criminal route, including whether any separate process is required.
Internal and public communications are handled carefully, particularly where the matter affects an organization’s reputation, staff, or customer data. We identify who receives updates and what may be shared, preserving records without circulating details that could compromise confidentiality, the investigation, or other parties’ rights.
What to preserve before consultation
Do not delete messages or alter files, and do not send highly sensitive information before agreeing a secure channel.
- Case number or summons
- Available reports or decisions
- A short chronology
- Original digital evidence and messages
- Witness information or related reports
Criminal cases: common questions
This is general information; every summons and procedure should be assessed promptly in its own context.
What should I do after receiving an investigation summons? +
Confirm the authority, time, and capacity in which you are summoned, keep a copy, and do not delete related messages or files. Prepare a short chronology and the key documents, and obtain advice before giving an unstructured account or circulating sensitive information.
Are screenshots enough to prove messages? +
They may assist but are not always sufficient because context, source, account, date, and integrity may be disputed. Preserve the device or original export and associated data without cropping or alteration, then assess whether technical examination is needed.
Can a criminal judgment be appealed? +
Review routes and deadlines depend on the judgment and stage. We examine the operative order, reasoning, procedure, evidence, and arguments addressed, then identify specific appeal grounds that can properly be advanced within the available period.
Should I contact the other party to explain? +
Communication may be recorded, treated as evidence, or affect parties and witnesses, so it should not begin before the stage and risks are understood. We assess the purpose, message, and suitable channel; formal communication through an appointed representative may be safer.
