Barnfather Solicitors – Trust in us when it really matters

A Leading Boutique Law Firm advising clients nationally and internationally
Experts in financial crime, serious fraud, HMRC tax investigations, competition and cartel cases, white-collar crime and regulatory investigations across multiple jurisdictions.
Offices in London and Manchester.

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Bespoke advice to board level directors, business leaders, high net worth individuals and professionals
Uncompromising advice from trusted experts; by your side when everything is on the line, our focus is on you and winning your case.

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Recognised As Leaders In Our Field
Instructed on the UK’s most complex and high-profile investigations; praised for our enviable success record, commitment to clients and unrivalled reputation for getting cases dropped at the investigation stage and avoiding trial.

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“ Trust in us when it really matters ”

Standing accused of serious financial wrongdoing can turn your world upside down. You have probably never been in trouble with the authorities before but are now facing a complex investigation where hefty fines and long prison sentences are a serious possibility.

We understand the stakes are high and are experts at dealing with clients ‘at the sharp end’ when everything is on the line. Our lawyers have successfully defended directors, high net worth individuals, professionals and entrepreneurs in the UK’s most high-profile fraud investigations, white collar crime cases and enforcement actions. We have an unrivalled reputation for knocking cases out at the investigation stage, without having to go to court. At Barnfather Solicitors you are in the best hands and can trust in us when it really matters.

“I can trust a high net worth client will be taken care of”

Chambers High Net Worth Guide

“Client service is second to none”

Legal 500

“Fantastic track record for fraud cases”

Legal 500

“The type you need on your side against HMRC or the SFO”

Chambers UK Guide

“Outstanding team. Top notch cases with outstanding results”

Legal 500

“Build great client relationships”

Chambers UK Guide

OUR EXPERTISE

Serious Fraud & Financial Crime Investigations

HMRC Tax & VAT Investigations

CMA Competition & Cartels Investigations

Pension Liberation & Pensions Regulator Investigations

FCA Regulatory & Criminal Investigations

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Serious Fraud & Financial Crime Investigations

Our team has been defending directors, senior personnel, entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals for more than 20 years. We are at the cutting-edge of serious fraud and white- collar crime investigations and have been involved in all the major multi-national fraud cases of the last two decades. Our reputation for fighting hard for clients and intricate knowledge of enforcement agencies and investigating authorities has seen the most complex and high-profile investigations brought to a successful conclusion before trial.

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HMRC Tax & VAT Investigations

Criminal investigations by HMRC were once preserved for criminal gangs or those in a position of trust, such as accountants and solicitors, accused of serious financial wrongdoing.

The tough stance adopted by HMRC’s fraud investigation service has seen it move away from Civil Investigation of Fraud (CIF) procedures and launch criminal investigations into taxpayers who have undeclared income, attempt to hide money offshore or are involved in deemed tax evasion schemes. HMRC is not only targeting the architects and promotors of these schemes but also the professionals and high net worth individuals who have invested in them.

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CMA Competition & Cartels Investigations

Individuals who have come to the attention of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and European Commission for anti-competitive and cartel behaviour are increasingly at risk of criminal investigation. The requirement for the authorities to prove dishonesty has been removed, making conviction far easier.

The UK’s civil regime means that companies caught up in cartels and anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing, bid rigging, limiting the supply of goods and market sharing face multi-million-pound fines.

For individuals, who are often unaware they are breaking the law, it is a criminal offence with a maximum five-year prison sentence for those found guilty. The stakes are high and those accused need expert, trusted advisers who know the law inside out.

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Pension Liberation & Pensions Regulator Investigations

Investigations into pension liberation and other pension frauds are extremely complex, and often involve a coordinated approach involving several enforcement agencies.

Allegations of widespread fraud and criminal activities surrounding pension schemes saw the formation of ‘Project Bloom’. Chaired by The Pensions Regulator, ‘Project Bloom’ is a multi-agency group which includes the SFO, FCA, HMRC, Insolvency Service and local police forces to coordinate government, law enforcement and regulatory agencies’ response to alleged pension frauds.

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FCA Regulatory & Criminal Investigations

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is vigorously pursuing regulatory and criminal prosecutions of individuals suspected of financial wrongdoing.

It is determined to further enhance its tough stance which has led to more individuals – not only board directors and senior management but also those further down the organisation – coming under the FCA spotlight.

The FCA is working closely with organisations both in the UK and abroad including the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and has significant powers to investigate and prosecute suspected criminal activity and regulatory breaches by individuals working in the regulated and non-regulated sectors.

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Serious Fraud & Financial Crime Investigations

Our serious fraud and financial crime investigation lawyers have defended some of the UK’s most complex and high-profile cases brought by regulators and enforcement agencies. We have an unrivalled reputation of concluding matters at the investigation stage without having to go to court. Our team has been defending directors, senior personnel, entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals for more than 20 years. We are at the cutting-edge of serious fraud and white- collar crime investigations and have been involved in all the major multi-national fraud cases of the last two decades. Our reputation for fighting hard for clients and intricate knowledge of enforcement agencies and investigating authorities has seen the most complex and high-profile investigations brought to a successful conclusion before trial.

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HMRC Tax & VAT Investigations

HMRC has ambitious prosecution targets and is aggressively pursuing those it suspects of tax evasion. Its determination to go down the criminal litigation route should not be underestimated. Our lawyers have an impressive track record of resolving matters without going to court and securing excellent outcomes for clients. Criminal investigations by HMRC were once preserved for criminal gangs or those in a position of trust, such as accountants and solicitors, accused of serious financial wrongdoing. The tough stance adopted by HMRC’s fraud investigation service has seen it move away from Civil Investigation of Fraud (CIF) procedures and launch criminal investigations into taxpayers who have undeclared income, attempt to hide money offshore or are involved in deemed tax evasion schemes. HMRC is not only targeting the architects and promotors of these schemes but also the professionals and high net worth individuals who have invested in them.

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CMA Competition & Cartels Investigations

As regulators crackdown on anti-competitive behaviour in the UK and foreign markets, those caught up in alleged collusion face reputational damage, multi-million-pound fines or custodial sentences. Our competition and cartel defence lawyers negotiate hard to protect Individuals, companies and their reputations. Individuals who have come to the attention of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and European Commission for anti-competitive and cartel behaviour are increasingly at risk of criminal investigation. The requirement for the authorities to prove dishonesty has been removed, making conviction far easier. The UK’s civil regime means that companies caught up in cartels and anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing, bid rigging, limiting the supply of goods and market sharing face multi-million-pound fines. For individuals, who are often unaware they are breaking the law, it is a criminal offence with a maximum five-year prison sentence for those found guilty. The stakes are high and those accused need expert, trusted advisers who know the law inside out.

Learn More

Pension Liberation & Pensions Regulator Investigations

The Pensions Regulator (TPR) and enforcement agencies including the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are actively pursuing directors, trustees and scheme sponsors suspected of criminal activity in a coordinated approach. How you respond at the early stages of an investigation can have a striking effect on the outcome. Investigations into pension liberation and other pension frauds are extremely complex, and often involve a coordinated approach involving several enforcement agencies. Allegations of widespread fraud and criminal activities surrounding pension schemes saw the formation of ‘Project Bloom’. Chaired by The Pensions Regulator, ‘Project Bloom’ is a multi-agency group which includes the SFO, FCA, HMRC, Insolvency Service and local police forces to coordinate government, law enforcement and regulatory agencies’ response to alleged pension frauds.

Learn More

FCA Regulatory & Criminal Investigations

The Financial Conduct Authority’s policy of ‘credible deterrence’ has led to increasing numbers of criminal investigations. With substantial financial penalties and criminal charges for those found guilty of financial misconduct, intelligent and tactical representation is needed to challenge the complexities of investigations and protect reputations. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is vigorously pursuing regulatory and criminal prosecutions of individuals suspected of financial wrongdoing. It is determined to further enhance its tough stance which has led to more individuals – not only board directors and senior management but also those further down the organisation – coming under the FCA spotlight. The FCA is working closely with organisations both in the UK and abroad including the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), US Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and has significant powers to investigate and prosecute suspected criminal activity and regulatory breaches by individuals working in the regulated and non-regulated sectors.

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OUR PEOPLE

Our unwavering commitment to fighting hard for clients has been praised by prestigious legal guides. Our experienced lawyers combine skill and technical acumen to achieve fantastic results. You can rest assured we will be by your side every step of the way.