Crime & Regulatory Lawyers

Effective regulations are essential in protecting consumers, businesses, employees and the environment.

However, with the increasingly complex and vast nature of regulations in the UK, businesses today must constantly concentrate on compliance in order to avoid serious penalties. Whether you are a business or an individual, facing prosecution for an alleged regulatory offence can have a significant impact on your life.

The financial penalties are severe; but even an investigation alone can be damaging towards your career, your brand and your reputation. If you have been charged with a regulatory offence or are anticipating an investigation, your first step should be to seek legal advice from a qualified expert who you can trust to protect your interests.

How can HCB’s Crime and regulatory lawyers help?

HCB’s expert team of regulatory lawyers are here to provide advice and representation through the following issues and offences:

• Drivers Hours Investigations
• Health and safety offences
• Food Hygiene offences
• Trading Standards offences
• Market & price fixing/bid rigging (“cartel” offences contrary to the Enterprise Act)
• FCA investigations and enforcement
• Proceeds of Crime Act restraint, confiscation and asset recovery
• Internal investigations and risk management
• Corporate manslaughter
• Dawn raid policy and management

Our team can also provide advice and representation for the following Regulatory agencies:

• DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency)
• HSE (Health and Safety Executive )
• Trading standards
• Environment agency
• DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs)
• RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)BIS (Department for Business, Innovation & Skills)

HCB Solicitors: Specialists in Crime and Regulatory Law

At HCB, our team of specialist regulatory solicitors has significant experience acting for organisations across a vast range of sectors. We know how damaging and stressful an accusation, investigation or prosecution of this nature can be, so our aim is to act as quickly and efficiently as possible. Regulatory intervention can attract a certain amount of unwanted attention, so our dedicated team will work with care and determination to defend your case to success, securing a fair outcome.

Alongside our expertise in regulatory law, we pride ourselves on our collective business acumen and hands-on experience of commercial law. When it comes to protecting the reputation of your company through a regulatory charge, it’s this experience that will allow us to keep your best interests at heart through each step of your case.

Our extensive knowledge of regulatory bodies and the investigation process should provide peace of mind knowing your case along with your reputation are in the safe hands of experts. Where interviews are required by an investigator, our professional team will provide advice and assistance to help you prepare, allowing you to remain calm during questioning.

If you simply need advice regarding corporate compliance, we can assist you by intervening at an early stage, working proactively to minimise risk of potential prosecution somewhere down the line.

When you instruct one of our expert regulatory lawyers, we will be there for you whenever you need us, delivering strategic advice at the drop of a hat. We have offices nationwide, so no matter where you are, you can always come and see us for an update on your case.

Regulatory Law FAQ

What is a regulatory offence?

The act of breaching a regulation that relates to a specific industry or activity is known as a regulatory offence. While a regulatory offence is a crime, it is so because it has been prohibited by legislation designed to protect the public, as opposed to an act which is inherently wrong in itself. Regulatory offences tend to be acts of negligence; such as failure to comply with food hygiene standards or disregarding the speed limit whilst driving??. Other examples of regulatory crime include:

Trading Standards Offences

The regulation of Trading Standards is undertaken by various regulatory bodies working to protect the rights of the consumer. From product safety and recall to advertising, copyright infringements, licensing and trade descriptions, legislation covers a number of areas relating to the sale and supply of goods or services. If you are facing an investigation for the non-compliance of Trading Standards, it’s essential to seek legal advice and representation as early as possible. Allegations of this nature can not only lead to severe financial penalties, but also potential damage to your reputation. At HCB, our team of regulatory solicitors are experts in this field of law and have vast experience protecting and defending businesses from Trading Standards allegations.

Health & Safety Offences

As an employer, you have a duty of care to your employees or anyone who visits your premises. You are therefore responsible for ensuring that all equipment in the workplace is safe to use, that all people on premises are aware of emergency procedures in the event of a fire, and that all workers are given appropriate safety training and equipment when operating dangerous machinery or undertaking tasks. Failure to meet these Health and Safety standards could not only result in a substantial fine, but a significant amount in damages to pay if an employee or visitor was harmed in any way. Health and Safety Offences are prosecuted by the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), the UK regulator for work related health and safety. This regulatory body has the power to investigate any incident that took place in your premises. If you are being investigated by HSE, get in touch with our regulatory law firm today for legal support and advice.

Financial Services Offences

Due to the nature of the financial services industry, it’s only natural that regulation would be strict in this sector. Due to the complexities involved and the level of scrutiny within financial services regulation, even the most cautious company can be caught out. As a result, individuals working in financial services tend to be the target for regulatory, disciplinary and criminal investigations and prosecutions. These will be dealt with by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Serious Fraud Office, depending on the severity of the case. Our financial regulation lawyers have significant experience representing individuals who have been subject to search warrants, police questioning or have had their assets frozen as a result of a financial services offence claim. With an in-depth understanding of how regulatory bodies such as the FCA operate and expertise within complex financial claims, our multi-skilled regulatory compliance lawyers are best placed to protect your interests and provide strategic, pragmatic advice at each stage.

Food Hygiene Offences

The Food Standards Agency is an independent Government department concerned with the regulation of food products in the UK. Working alongside local authority departments, the purpose of the Food Standards Agency is to enforce food safety regulations across the country, ensuring that all food meets safety and hygiene standards. For businesses working in the food industry, complying with the standards laid out by the Food Standards Agency is absolutely imperative. From strict rules regarding import and exportation of food to the presentation and advertisement of a food product, legislation lays down the food hygiene rules for all food businesses. Any allegation relating to a breach of these rules will be thoroughly investigated by the Food Standards Agency and potentially lead to a significant fine. If you are facing an investigation of this nature, do not hesitate to seek legal support as early as possible. At HCB, our expert regulatory lawyers are at hand to provide specialist legal advice on food safety and hygiene law to businesses across the entire food chain; from production and importation to waste disposal.

Environmental Offences

An environmental crime is one that directly harms the environment; such as unregulated fishing, the improper disposal of waste or the dumping of toxic chemicals and pollutants into the environment. Environmental law is a particularly complex area of law designed to balance the interests of property owners and businesses along with the concerns and welfare of the public. As a result, legislation surrounding environmental law is in constant state of flux, and remaining compliant with each new development is crucial in avoiding prosecution. If you as an individual or a business are suspected to be involved in activities considered to be damaging to the environment, you could face a serious investigation from the Environmental Agency. Investigations of this nature will vary in outcome, but will undoubtedly be a stressful and daunting time for you and your business. Here at HCB, our expert team of regulatory lawyers can provide practical, pre-emptive legal advice on compliance with legislation. Following an alleged breach of legislation, you can rely on our regulatory law experts to protect your interests through a strong defence and representation.

Generally speaking, regulatory law exists to protect the public by maintaining a certain standard across trading, finance, health, safety and hygiene. However, an investigation of this nature can be particularly damaging, not only in the stress it will cause and the potential penalties you will face, but also the effect it can have on your reputation. If you or your business is facing an investigation or prosecution regarding a regulatory offence, our regulatory compliance firm has the experience and expertise necessary to advise and defend you to a fair result. 

Get in touch with us today to talk to one of our regulatory law specialists.