Immediate Action Required: The decisions made in the next hours matter most. Do not wait.
My home or office has been searched
Police have executed a search warrant at your home, business premises, or both. This indicates an advanced stage of investigation.
What You Must Do Now
The following guidance reflects the most critical strategic decisions at this stage of an investigation.
Strategic Action 1
Preserve all digital records and do not delete anything
The moment you become aware of a police or regulatory investigation, you must take immediate steps to preserve all potentially relevant records. Destruction or loss of material, even accidentally, creates serious additional criminal exposure.
Take no further action on any relevant device or account. Do not delete emails, messages, or files. Do not overwrite or reformat storage. Seek immediate advice on document preservation obligations.
Do not delete emails, WhatsApp messages, Signal conversations, or any other communications. Do not reformat, wipe, or dispose of any electronic device. Do not instruct others to delete records.
Why this matters
Perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to obstruct are standalone offences carrying custodial sentences. Even inadvertent destruction of evidence, if the investigation was known, can be prosecuted.
This guidance is general in nature. Preservation obligations depend on the specific circumstances. Take personalised legal advice immediately.
Strategic Action 2
Do not engage informally with police officers who contact you
When police contact you, whether by phone, letter, or in person, there is no truly informal conversation. Any information you provide can be used and may shape the direction of the investigation.
Politely decline to engage substantively. Note the officer's name and station. Ask for any request to be made in writing. Contact a specialist defence lawyer immediately.
Do not invite officers in for a conversation. Do not volunteer the names of colleagues, associates, or relevant documents. Do not speculate about what the investigation might concern.
Why this matters
Initial contact from police is a critical moment. What you say, and what you do not say, at this stage can significantly affect the trajectory of any investigation that follows. Investigators are trained interviewers.
This guidance is general in nature. Individual circumstances may require a different approach. Always take personalised legal advice.
The Most Common Mistakes At This Stage
The following mistakes are made repeatedly by people in your position, often with serious consequences.
- 01
Engaging with officers beyond what is legally required
- 02
Not obtaining a list of seized property
- 03
Not instructing specialist counsel immediately
Read More About Your Situation
Detailed strategic guidance on the specific aspects of your situation.
How Craig MacKenzie Can Help
The following services are directly relevant to your situation.
Police Investigations
Strategic defence advice from the first moment of police contact.
Learn morePrivate Defence
Strategic private criminal defence for professionals and business owners facing high-stakes allegations.
Learn morePre-Charge Representation
Strategic intervention before the Crown Prosecution Service makes a charging decision.
Learn moreThe wider picture
What else could this affect?
An investigation rarely stays in one place. These are the areas that, depending on the facts, may also need to be considered.
Your liberty
A criminal investigation can carry the risk of arrest, bail conditions or, ultimately, prosecution; the position should be assessed early.
Your devices and data
Digital devices and data are often central to investigations; how they are handled should be approached carefully and lawfully.
Your business
Where you run or own a business, an investigation can create commercial and operational questions that should be assessed early.
Your privacy
Protecting privacy, including who knows what and when, is often a central concern and can be planned from the outset.
Your reputation
An allegation, even one that is never charged, can create reputational exposure that benefits from a considered, strategic approach.
Before you act
The decision you may be facing next
People in your position often face one of these decisions before anything else. Each one is best made with advice, not under pressure.
Should I hand over my phone or devices?
Should I answer questions in interview?
Should I provide documents that have been requested?
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Direct Partner Access
Your case is led personally by Craig MacKenzie. You have direct access to your solicitor, with all key decisions, strategy and advice provided at partner level. Behind the scenes, Craig is supported by an experienced legal team to ensure your case is progressed efficiently without compromising on the quality of advice.
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Professional Confidentiality
Enquiries and instructions are handled with the professional confidentiality obligations that apply to solicitors. Client matters are not discussed with third parties.
Do You Require Advice About Your Circumstances?
This material provides general information and is not a substitute for advice about a specific investigation or case.
Craig provides legal services exclusively through Forbes Solicitors. To make an initial enquiry, contact Craig at:
craig.mackenzie@forbessolicitors.co.uk
An enquiry does not constitute an instruction. Forbes Solicitors must confirm in writing that it has accepted the matter before any solicitor–client relationship arises.