Many people give a statement at the investigation stage without advice, believing that explaining themselves will end it. That statement is recorded and can be used at trial. It can be changed later, but the change then has to be explained.
Injured parties lose rights the other way, by complaining too late. For compoundable offences such as fraud and misappropriation between private parties, the complaint must be made within three months of learning of the offence and of who committed it — shorter than most people assume.
We act for injured parties and for the accused, from the investigation stage through to trial.
What we do
- Attend the interview at the investigation stage and advise before any statement is given.
- Apply for provisional release, at the police stage and in court, and arrange the security.
- File the complaint for an injured party and follow the progress of the investigation file.
- Prosecute directly in the name of the injured party, where waiting for the public prosecutor is not wanted.
- Conduct the trial, examining and cross-examining witnesses.
- Pursue compensation alongside the criminal case.
- Appeal, and make applications relating to sentence.
If you are called in by the authorities
- Establish whether you are called as a witness or as a suspect — the rights and the consequences differ.
- Take advice before giving a statement; you are entitled to have a lawyer present at the interview.
- Read the statement in full before signing, and have anything inaccurate corrected first.
- Keep a copy of every document received and signed.
- Do not approach the injured party or witnesses alone, which can be read as interference.
What to bring
- The summons or warrant, with the envelope it came in.
- The police daily record or complaint receipt, if you are the injured party.
- Financial records, contracts or messages relating to the matter.
- A note of when you learned of the offence and of who committed it, which starts the period for complaining.
This page is general information, not advice on your situation. If you have received a summons, contact the firm before the date you are due to attend.