Private Prosecutions

A private criminal prosecution can prove a novel solution when dealing with corporate fraud and financial crime.

Anyone can bring about criminal prosecution and general crime-related proceedings in England and Wales, owing to the Prosecution of Offences Act.

Thus, provided it meets the necessary requirements, a private prosecution can provide victims with greater access to justice, at a time when police forces and law enforcement agencies are struggling with a lack of resources and expertise in cases involving financial crime.

Our team in this area is led by one of the UK’s leading barristers specialising in financial crime, Charles Bott KC.

Charles has prosecuted and defended scores of cases in both the UK and overseas. He combines extensive criminal law experience with a background in civil and commercial law, and has recently led teams in the private prosecution of serious fraud, as well as being instructed by a foreign government in relation to an alleged fraud on their public funds.

In some cases, a conviction arising from a private prosecution can lead to recovery of stolen value in the form of compensation, and perhaps costs. We can advise on a matter’s viability on a case-by-case basis.

Team members

• Charles Bott KC