Applications for special procedure production orders are some of the most common applications before the Crown Court. Many Crown Courts will hear a few applications in a 9:30am list before trials or case management hearings and each numbered application can contain any number of substantive sub-applications against different institutions. Most applications for special production orders are not opposed as they are made as against financial or other institutions who will not produce material without such an order and will not oppose the order being sought.

Quentin appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on behalf of SP, a University student accused of perpetuating a large scale eBay Fraud involving the cloning of credit cards and the misuse of Transport For London Oyster Cards. Following the close of the prosecution case Quentin argued that the case on the first and most serious count on the indictment should be withdrawn from the jury. The judge agreed and the count was withdrawn from the jury and a Not Guilty verdict was entered on her behalf.

Quentin appeared on behalf of FA who had been the Principal Contractor on a large scale commercial building project in South East London. Following the collapse of a structure at the site a 92 year old woman suffered near fatal injuries. The defendant pleaded guilty to an offence under regulation 28(2) of the Construction (Design and Management ) Regulations 2007.

Quentin appeared in the Court of Appeal Criminal Division, instructed by Stokoe Partnership Solicitors on behalf of FI who had been convicted of a s47 ABH offence. Quentin successfully submitted that the judge had misapplied the relevant sentencing guidelines and the sentence was reduced in length by six months.

VAT fraud is big business. How big? Well it is very difficult to estimate the exact amount of money that is defrauded but the case of Federation of Technological Industries estimated that in 2002-03 the cost to the United Kingdom taxpayer was between £1.65 and £2.64 billion. By 2005-6 an EU think tank estimated that this figure had increased to some £10 billion. Read further to find out more..

Mr N was arrested on a Friday evening just outside Manchester. Two police officers on foot stopped him in his work van in a car park outside a fish and chip shop; the police had received a tip off. He was taken to the police station where he was subject to the breath test procedure and was found to be considerably over the drink drive limit. He was arrested and charged with drink driving. Mr N travelled all over the UK with his work and needed his licence for his work; he knew that if he lost his licence he would lose his job and his livelihood. Read further to find out more..

Changes to the criminal justice system of late have been very much focussed on encouraging defendants to plead guilty. ‘Early guilty plea’ schemes have been rolled out across the country and a full discount for pleading guilty is only available if the plea is entered at the first opportunity, often before the evidence has been served by the prosecution in proper and full form. Read further to find out more ..

Section 1 of the Fraud Act 2006 relates to the offence of failing to disclose information. The offence is wide ranging and can cover a number of circumstances. An example would be where a person makes an insurance claim for a ring that they believed had been stolen. They report this to their insurance company and make a claim. They subsequently receive an insurance payout of £15,000 for the ring. Read further to find out more..

The Police and HMRC are increasingly using their powers under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 to require information from innocent parties who are not accused of a criminal offence but who can be compelled by law to provide information whether they like it or not. Read further to find out more ..

If you are being investigated or have been charged with an offence of VAT fraud it is essential that you seek specialist legal representation at an early stage. How the matter is conducted from the outset will shape the course of the case against you. Read further to find out more ..