Sarah A Smith

Sarah’s fraud practice is a full service offering that includes both the traditional contentious work of criminal investigations and prosecutions as well as non-contentious work that includes reviewing current governance and designing and implementing adequate internal procedures and policies. This includes conducting discreet internal reviews and investigations to review, test and draft compliance and protective policies, as well as informing any advice to self-report. She regularly receives instructions from individuals, managers, directors, senior management, boards and corporates — and irrespective of what the trigger for the advice is, Sarah takes the time to understand her clients’ goals and provide strategic and holistic advice in relation to achieving the best possible outcome.

With criminal investigations, Sarah has extensive experience in representing individuals in all formal interviews — whether under caution, arrest, voluntary or compelled powers — as well as corporates in relation to written responses under caution. Accurate identification of the issues and analysis of the evidence at this stage can result in no further action being taken or out of court disposals being negotiated. These courses of action offer significant reputational, cost and certainty of outcome benefits in the current climate, where limited resources across the criminal justice system can result in long and anxious delays. This disposal can also avoid some of the draconian ancillary orders that a court may consider, including POCA. Sarah is experienced in managing adverse publicity and seeking to minimise reputational damage.

Where a prosecution is brought, Sarah provides tactical strategy case plans, setting out in clear terms her advice to a client at each stage. 

Sarah has extensive experience in working with all major investigative and prosecuting bodies, including the CPS and Police, FCA, SFO and HMRC in addition to more specialist regulators such as the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), Insolvency Service (IS), Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Charity Commission (CC), Environment Agency (EA), Trading Standards and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). This blended experience allows her to give comprehensive advice, including in relation to concurrent or tandem proceedings (such as Company Director Disqualification Act 1986 proceedings), including negotiating more favourable undertakings. 

Sarah’s experience allows her to analyse each matter efficiently and effectively from its inception. She’s familiar with several data platforms which allow her to receive and effectively interrogate significant volumes of evidence and disclosure to identify, analyse and advise on the real issues. Her project management skills are invaluable and enable her to communicate effectively with the client at each stage of any investigation/proceedings.

Sarah has acted in several high-profile Public Inquiries which included preparing statements with high-profile witnesses, judicial review work (focusing on cross border jurisdiction issues) and an application to intervene in proceedings before the Supreme Court. 

After qualifying in 2005, Sarah has enjoyed a diverse career that has provided her with invaluable experience across the full spectrum of the criminal justice system. Her experience includes being a Senior Legal Adviser within what is now His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Service, advising the courts on practice, procedure and the law, all aspects of criminal defence including as a police station accredited representative, duty solicitor, advocate, Higher Rights Advocate (criminal) and prosecutor, including for government departments, having been granted security clearance to receive such instructions.

Sarah joined us in September 2024 and is based out of our Liverpool office. She services clients regionally, nationally and on the international stage.