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Read moreArrests, Detentions, Interviews & Searches
We represent individuals and businesses during investigations with expertise in arrests, detentions, interviews and searches.
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Our corporate defence experts have extensive experience in representing both individuals and businesses during the course of an investigation — including advising on arrests, legal rights in detention and compelled interviews, as well as representing clients being interviewed under caution.
We also assist with responding to dawn raids and requests to provide witness evidence or production orders.
Early stages of investigation
During the course of an investigation, the Police or other enforcement and investigative authorities may use a range of mechanisms in an attempt to gather evidence. These can include arrests, conducting searches under warrant, dawn raids and compelled or voluntary interviews.
Often, the attendance of police officers — either to conduct a search of premises or carry out an arrest — is the first sign that an investigation into you, your business or others is underway. These early stages of a criminal investigation are often the most significant phase and determine the course that an investigation will take.
It may be the case that a person chooses not to seek advice during the early phase of an investigation or in interview on the basis that they don’t believe an offence has been committed. The purpose of representation in interview is to ensure that an interview is conducted lawfully and the legal rights of an individual are protected. Your legal representative will also advise on your options in the interview as well as the allegations being made against you. That will include advice on answering questions, declining to answer questions or providing a prepared statement. This applies regardless of whether you’re attending an interview voluntarily or under arrest.
Importance of legal representation
When conducting evidence gathering exercises, such as searches or interviews, the Police must adhere to strict rules set out in legislation known as the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) as well as relevant codes of practice to ensure that the process is conducted lawfully.
Where the conduct of the investigating authority breaches the provisions of PACE or relevant codes of practice, this may result in evidence being excluded from any subsequent proceedings.
Having representation in the early stages of an investigation to identify and challenge the conduct of the investigation or make representations about the absence of evidence may result in the investigation being terminated or influence the decision of whether to charge.
It’s therefore vital that when faced with the prospect of being interviewed by an authority such as the Police, you seek urgent, expert legal advice.
Approaching witnesses
It isn’t always the case that an approach from the police occurs because you or your business is the focus of an investigation. Investigators may approach individuals as witnesses to gather evidence and may request an interview or apply for the production of evidence such as business records.
These requests can often raise issues relating to data protection, confidentiality and other legal issues. That’s why it’s important to seek appropriate legal advice to ensure compliance with any orders or requests for evidence.
Searches, arrests and interviews FAQs
“Dan Stowers has over 20 years’ experience, much of which related to serious and complex fraud cases. He is friendly and approachable to clients, but tenacious with his opponents. Having worked with Dan, he has consistently proved to be a very strategic thinker with an incredible eye for detail. He is particularly effective during investigations and has managed to stop criminal investigations before his client has been charged.”
The Legal 500, 2021
“[Dan Stowers is] highly experienced in all aspects of fraud work and is head and shoulders above his peers… a leader in the field.”
The Legal 500, 2012
“Dan Stowers is clearly in control of his cases. He has the exceptional ability of both being able to have a well-reasoned overview of a case as well as having all the details at his fingertips. This means that you feel that he is truly providing the best representation for his client.”
The Legal 500, 2020
“Dan Stowers is without doubt the most dynamic lawyer in his field, understanding the issues immediately and how to address them.”
The Legal 500, 2020
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