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Hodge Jones & Allen has a team of lawyers who specialise in private prosecutions and can assist you in seeking justice for crimes committed where other prosecuting authorities will not.
It is no secret that thousands of criminal prosecutions are commenced everyday throughout England and Wales. It is customary for these prosecutions to be brought by the Crown Prosecution Service or other state authorities. Other State prosecutors include the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), amongst many other organisations.
However, any ordinary individual or company can bring a private prosecution against another individual or company under section 6 the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985. This means that if you feel a crime has been committed and appropriate action has not been taken by the authorities to bring that person or company to justice, you have the power to do so through the criminal courts.
Private prosecutions are a means for accessing justice where usual methods have failed. A private prosecution can be brought against an individual or company in relation to any offence committed, including financial offences, assaults and sexual offences. As well as acting for private prosecutions, we have extensive experience in defending these cases as well.
Where a private prosecution is launched and seen to have merit later by one of the State prosecutors they may take over the prosecution.
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Experience criminal litigators who are experts in evidence and procedure. Innovative lawyers that fight for justice on your behalf and have decades of experience in the Criminal Justice System
We work with our renowned Civil Liberties and Human Rights Solicitors, so all options considered, from scrutinising police / prosecutors decisions, including judicial review and human rights challenges.
Strategic Overview from the start, helping to collect the evidence, advice on further material and consider what further investigation is required.
Where you ha e reported the matter to the police or an investigatory body who have told you that they intend not to purse that investigation you can consider your right to have the decision reviewed usually by a more senior investigator.
The court on conviction will proceed to punish and sentence the person convicted in the same way they would if the state had prosecuted them although if you were contemplating a civil claim a criminal conviction would assist in that claim.
Your costs for bringing a private prosecution are usually recoverable from central funds. However, this may not cover the total amount of the expenses you incur during proceedings. The Court will reimburse you for an amount they deem reasonable to compensate you. You should also be aware that if the Court consider you have incurred costs through an act (or omission) which was unnecessary or improper, it can refuse to compensate you entirely for expenses. Further, you may be ordered to pay the Defendant for any costs they incur as a result of this misconduct. As such, it is important to bear in mind that a prosecution should always be driven what is objectively just and not selfish interests.
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Issued a summons against two multinational arms companies who had infringed UK Regulations on the promotion of torture equipment at the DESI arms fair at the Excel centre.
Instructed to review potential of private prosecution against individuals in the banking sector, as a result of activities during the financial crash.
Instructed to review private prosecution on behalf of victim of historic sex allegation.
Defended a £1.6 million fraud on behalf of an individual in relation to a private prosecution brought by Amazon which was eventually dropped.
Our top ranking team have years of experience representing the innocent. We stand up to the prosecution who will always be represented by an experienced solicitor or barrister. We know how to fight and win cases.
Representing you at the Police Station or in Court If you need urgent representation call us today. Share a few details with us and we’ll let you know how we can help you.
If you are calling outside our offices hours (9:30am to 5:30pm) call our free phone 24 telephone 0844 8480 222. There will always be someone at the other end of the telephone to assist you.
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