When The Investigation Threatens More Than Liberty.
For business owners, directors and professionals, allegations can affect reputation, business continuity, professional standing and future opportunities long before any court proceedings begin.
Legal 500 UK 2025, Crime: General Criminal Counsel
"Craig MacKenzie is a star performer. He has a lovely manner with clients: understated, reassuring, while commanding the respect of his professional colleagues and the court. He gets results through hard work and excellent judgement. He knows his law inside and out and is excellent with clients."– Legal 500 UK, 2025
Investigations into corporate entities and their directors involve complex overlapping jurisdictions, multiple regulatory bodies, and severe commercial implications. A misstep in responding to one authority can trigger action from another.
Comprehensive Risk Management
Our business crime practice focuses on the intersection of criminal law, regulatory compliance, and corporate governance. We defend companies and individuals facing scrutiny from authorities including:
- The Police and Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs)
- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
- The Serious Fraud Office (SFO)
- The National Crime Agency (NCA)
- The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Types of Investigation
We possess deep expertise across the spectrum of white-collar crime:
Corporate Fraud
False accounting, conspiracy to defraud, and complex financial irregularities.
Tax Investigations
COP9 (Contractual Disclosure Facility), VAT fraud, and evasion of excise duty.
Bribery & Corruption
Investigations under the Bribery Act 2010, including corporate failure to prevent bribery.
Money Laundering
Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) offences and compliance failures.
AI-Enabled Financial Crime
Where an incident involves artificial intelligence, whether an external deepfake attack, internal misuse of an AI system or a failure that attracts regulatory attention, the corporate and personal exposure raises distinct questions. See AI-Enabled Financial Crime and Corporate Investigations for strategic guidance.
Are You A...
Your profession shapes both the risk and the strategy. See how Craig works with regulated professionals.
Related Situations
My Business Is Under Investigation
Managing multiple risk vectors when your business faces criminal or regulatory investigation.
I Am A Director Under Investigation
Company vs personal liability when a director faces criminal investigation.
HMRC Have Contacted Me
Civil vs criminal investigation guidance for HMRC contact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Suggested Reading
Defending Criminal Investigations: The Ultimate Guide
A comprehensive strategic guide to defending police and pre-charge criminal investigations in England and Wales: fifteen chapters from first allegation to final outcome.
Understanding Criminal Investigations: A Strategic Guide
The definitive guide to criminal defence in England and Wales for professionals. What to expect, how to protect yourself, and how strategic defence works.
Police Search Warrants: A Strategic Guide for Homes, Businesses and Professionals
A strategic guide to police search warrants in England and Wales: the powers behind a search, what can be seized, privileged and protected material, and why the period immediately after the search may be decisive.
The 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 business
Where you run or own a business, an investigation can create commercial and operational questions that should be assessed early.
Your board
For directors and executives, a board may need to consider its own position, and how that interacts with the criminal matter should be planned.
Shareholders and investors
Shareholders, investors or lenders may have questions, and how anything is communicated can have lasting consequences.
Your financial position
An investigation can create financial pressure or scrutiny that may need to be managed as part of a wider strategy.
Your reputation
An allegation, even one that is never charged, can create reputational exposure that benefits from a considered, strategic approach.
Your liberty
A criminal investigation can carry the risk of arrest, bail conditions or, ultimately, prosecution; the position should be assessed early.
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 tell my board?
Should I provide documents that have been requested?
Should I seek pre-charge representation now?
A parallel process
If this affects your business and board
For directors and executives, an investigation can raise board, business and disqualification questions that are best planned alongside the criminal matter.
Who may become involved
- Your board
- Shareholders and investors
- The Insolvency Service (disqualification)
- Relevant regulators
How it can unfold
- 01An allegation, whistleblower report or regulator raises a concern
- 02A police or agency investigation begins
- 03Your board may need to consider its own position
- 04An internal investigation may be launched
- 05Disclosure and shareholder questions may arise
- 06Director conduct and disqualification risk may be assessed
expertise
Forensic Science Background
Craig's forensic science background enables technical mastery of digital evidence, financial records and complex disclosure: a rare advantage in serious criminal cases.
expertise
Defends Against the UK's Most Powerful Prosecuting Agencies
Vastly experienced in defending cases brought by the NCA, SFO, FCA, HMRC, and ICO: the UK's most powerful investigative and prosecuting agencies.
expertise
AI-Led Legal Innovation
Craig leads the application of AI to criminal defence, from processing complex digital evidence to driving strategy in document-intensive cases. He is a recognised thought leader on AI in law.
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.