Strategic Defence For Complex Financial Crime.
Defending serious fraud, HMRC investigations, SFO inquiries, money laundering, and bribery allegations.
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
Allegations of fraud and financial crime are uniquely complex, often involving vast volumes of documentary and digital evidence, intricate financial structures, and lengthy, multi-agency investigations. The stakes are immense, encompassing lengthy custodial sentences, draconian confiscation proceedings, and the total destruction of commercial reputation.
Our Approach to Complex Fraud
Defending a complex fraud case requires intellectual rigour, forensic attention to detail, and the ability to construct compelling counter-narratives from dense financial data. We do not simply respond to the prosecution's assertions; we proactively deconstruct their case.
- Forensic Accounting Analysis: Craig routinely collaborates with leading independent forensic accountants to challenge the prosecution's financial models and demonstrate alternative, legitimate commercial rationales for the transactions in question.
- Digital Discovery Management: Given the sheer volume of material in modern fraud cases, Craig deploys advanced review methodologies to unearth exculpatory evidence hidden within terabytes of seized data.
- Restraint and Confiscation (POCA): Financial crime investigations are almost always accompanied by attempts to freeze assets (Account Freezing Orders, Restraint Orders) and ultimately confiscate the alleged proceeds of crime. Craig vigorously contests these measures through Forbes Solicitors to protect clients' financial survival during the investigation and beyond.
Key Areas of Expertise
Craig advises individuals and corporations, through Forbes Solicitors, across the full spectrum of financial crime:
- Serious and Complex Fraud (including Conspiracy to Defraud)
- Tax Fraud and HMRC Criminal Investigations (including COP9)
- Money Laundering (POCA 2002)
- Bribery and Corruption (Bribery Act 2010)
- Insider Dealing and Market Abuse
- Mortgage and Banking Fraud
AI-Enabled Financial Crime
Fraud increasingly involves artificial intelligence, whether as the instrument of an external attack, a tool misused internally or a system whose failure attracts regulatory scrutiny. For strategic guidance on corporate and personal exposure after an AI-related incident, see AI-Enabled Financial Crime and Corporate Investigations.
Are You A...
Your profession shapes both the risk and the strategy. See how Craig works with regulated professionals.
Related Situations
HMRC Have Contacted Me
Civil vs criminal investigation guidance for HMRC contact.
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.
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 financial position
An investigation can create financial pressure or scrutiny that may need to be managed as part of a wider strategy.
Your business
Where you run or own a business, an investigation can create commercial and operational questions that should be assessed early.
Your reputation
An allegation, even one that is never charged, can create reputational exposure that benefits from a considered, strategic approach.
Your assets
Some investigations raise questions about assets or restraint; where relevant, this should be assessed early with advice.
Your liberty
A criminal investigation can carry the risk of arrest, bail conditions or, ultimately, prosecution; the position should be assessed early.
Your regulator or professional body
A regulator or governing body may take an interest in the same facts, and whether or when to engage should be considered with advice.
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 provide documents that have been requested?
Should I agree to attend an interview?
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
Over 700 Trials Conducted Personally
Unparalleled courtroom experience built across two decades. Every case is led by Craig MacKenzie, not delegated.
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.
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.