Next Generation Partners

Leading Associates

Firms To Watch: General crime and fraud

Brabners LLP, led by Dan Stowers, is a financial crime and regulatory practice which saw continued growth over 2023 with the recruitment of ‘superstar’ Lucy Ryczany from O’Garra Cohen Cramer.
Tyr‘s regulatory, fraud, and financial crime practice is active locally, nationally, and internationally, and operates under the leadership of Marie Bourke, who has ‘unrivalled experience in financial crime.’

General crime and fraud in Yorkshire And The Humber

ABR Solicitors

ABR Solicitors covers the full range of fraud, criminal and regulatory matters, and services a national client base from its network of offices throughout England. The group provides representation from police station to appeal court, and is praised for its ‘strength in depth.’ Team lead and managing partner Rob Rode covers business and general crime, and has key strength in fraud. James McAulay specialises in mental health issues, with further expertise in indecent images and sexual allegations. Andrew Stewardson handles POCA and regulatory matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Rob Rode


Autres avocats clés:

Anna Moran; James McAulay; Andrew Stewardson


Les références

‘The team has strength in depth. From the partners through to the senior associates through to the newer associates stands this firm head and shoulders above others in its class. They have a unique attitude to bringing in and training young lawyers.’

‘Rob Rode – hard to find words to explain his prowess in this field. Always in all the big cases for good reason. Thoroughly respected by all his colleagues. Clients respect his honesty, and he always provides sound advice.’

‘James McAulay is a mental health expert who has now found a national niche dealing with sex offence cases. He teaches the National Crime Agency and lectures to other forces on this topic. He is well respected by police and prosecution alike. ’

Howard & Byrne

Howard & Byrne covers matters relating to fraud and high profile tax evasion, in addition to general crime issues including murder, sexual offences, and drug crimes. Colin Byrne and Kevin Blount co-lead the York-based team. Byrne is highly experienced at the international level, with expertise in extradition matters, alongside his bribery and corruption practice. Blount has a particular focus on confiscation matters, in addition to strength in safeguarding cases. Lee-Anne Robins-Hicks is a key name.

Responsables de la pratique:

Colin Byrne; Kevin Blount


Autres avocats clés:

Lee-Anne Robins-Hicks


Les références

‘The strength of this firm comes from the partners. Both are equally skilled but in different areas which complement each other so well. In addition they have superb associates that really support this firm and allow the firm to compete for work at national and international levels.’

‘Colin Byrne has been outstanding in his case preparation and strategy for a number of years now and continues to be at the top of his game. Kevin Blount is a smooth operator, handling big or small cases with equal attention.’

‘Howard & Byrne have exceptional breadth and depth of legal expertise. They are highly responsive and always have a can do attitude. They stand head and shoulders above other criminal law firms in the region.’

O’Garra Cohen Cramer

O’Garra Cohen Cramer fields a substantial team, active across financial and general crime. Areas of expertise include fraud, sexual offences, murders, and dangerous driving cases, with notable strength in serious animal welfare matters. Highly experienced team lead John Goodwin specialises in financial crime and fraud, as well as drugs cases and money laundering. Goodwin has additional expertise in violent crime and animal cruelty cases. Also key are consultant Michael O’Garra, whose focus is fraud and POCA cases, computer crime specialist Mark Jackson, and Leah Arksey, who leads the firm’s POCA department.

Responsables de la pratique:

John Goodwin


Autres avocats clés:

Michael O’Garra; Mark Jackson; Leah Arksey; Arabella Snelling


Les références

‘This is a really good and dedicated team which deals with everything from day to day crime, to high profile international POCA cases. ’

‘Leah is truly wonderful. Empathetic while being practical. Very organised and able to get the best out of clients.’

‘The firm services a broad range of criminal matters, with key team members adept at delivering in their specialist area. The firm have particular strengths in financial crime and POCA matters.’

Rahman Ravelli

Respected white-collar crime firm Rahman Ravelli has a strong record representing high and ultra-high net worth individuals and prominent corporate clients in high level financial crime, including multi-million pound frauds, money laundering, and tax evasion. Managing partner Azizur Rahman leads the team from Halifax. Rahman covers fraud and money laundering matters, and has international expertise in bribery and corruption issues. Also key are Nicola Sharp, whose practice includes money laundering and multinational investment fraud, and Syed Rahman, an expert in fraud and business crime, with notable accomplishments in the developing area of cryptocurrency fraud. Angelika Hellweger covers offensive asset tracing and recovery litigation.

Responsables de la pratique:

Azizur Rahman


Autres avocats clés:

Syed Rahman; Nicola Sharp; Angelika Hellweger


GT Stewart Limited

GT Stewart Limited covers a broad range of criminal law, providing support from the police station to the Court of Appeal, with further expertise in prison law and extradition. Youth crime is a key area of strength for the team. Patricia Walker leads and is praised for the 'first class service' she provides in relation to a variety of serious offences. Higher rights advocate and duty solicitor Philip Mahoney has particular expertise in matters relating to serious violence and drug offences. Leigh Nisbet joined the department in July 2023 from London firm TV Edwards Solicitors LLP.

Responsables de la pratique:

Patricia Walker


Autres avocats clés:

Philip Mahoney; Ed Youlton; Michelle Stewart; Leigh Nisbet


Les références

‘Results driven and with expertise across the board. GT Stewart have a great reputation throughout the region.’

‘Patricia Walker’s vast experience translates to a first class service for her clients. Focusing on the largest and most complex cases, Patricia will ensure her defendant’s cases are fully understood, and as a result, persuasively argued before the Court.’

‘Philip Mahoney’s excellent advocacy time and again ensures the best possible results for his clients. A well known, and well respected figure, frequently appearing in the Crown Courts across the region.’

McCormicks

McCormicks, based in Harrogate, covers the full range of fraud and general crime matters, with a growing practice in regulatory issues. Historic sexual abuse and drug conspiracy cases are particular areas of strength for the team, which counts prominent businesses such as Leeds United FC and the National Pharmaceutical Association amongst its clients. Team lead Peter Minnikin covers matters relating to drugs and violence, and is experienced in tax fraud. Mark Fowler is a key name.

Responsables de la pratique:

Peter Minnikin


Autres avocats clés:

Mark Fowler; Brian Nuttney


Les références

‘Peter Minnikin is incredibly hard-working with excellent technical knowledge. Peter provides sensible and pragmatic advice and has quickly become a trusted and much valued adviser. Peter is very easy to work with and has delivered excellent outcomes for us. ’

‘McCormicks is incredibly responsive and flexible. The partner, associates, and business management teams with whom I worked were quick to respond to any inquiry.’

‘The McCormicks team was wonderful in helping my family and I stay informed and comfortable in a very confusing, stressful, and frightening situation.’

Principaux clients

National Pharmaceutical Association


Leeds United FC


Professional Games Match Officials Ltd


City Football Group Ltd


Dawsongroup PLC


Principaux dossiers


  • Represented the National Pharmaceutical Association in relation to a substantial number of cases.
  • Acted in a range of regulatory matters for Leeds United FC, and criminal matters for players.
  • Advised the parent group of Manchester City Football Club in relation to health and safety legislation and other regulatory matters.

Opus Law

Opus Law covers both serious crime matters and fraud, and benefits from satellite offices in Birmingham and London. The group has key strength in the sporting world, with experience defending professional footballers. Ben Jones, ‘one of the top solicitors in this sector’ leads the team. Jones has a broad crime practice, with expertise in terrorism and money laundering, in addition to fraud and other cases of serious crime.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ben Jones


Les références

‘Top notch firm in the North, very experienced and with good staff across all levels. Tons of experience in all sorts of fraud, from diversion to bank fraud.’

‘Ben Jones is still one of the top solicitors in this sector, pragmatic and tough when needed.’

‘A very hard-working and efficient team, who care for their clients.’

Principaux clients

Bradford City Football Club


1511 Sports Agency


Netscaff Services Limited


Smith & Butller Accountants


Principaux dossiers


  • Instructed in what is billed as the country’s largest ever money laundering case.
  • Instructed in respect of an allegation of importation of nitrous oxide for human consumption.
  • Instructed in a large money laundering operation during which large amounts of cash would be “cleaned” during covid and then sent to UK mainstream banks.

Switalskis Solicitors

Switalskis Solicitors has strength in numerous specialist areas within criminal law, including mental health and mental capacity law, child abuse, and adult abuse claims. Solicitor advocate Michael Devlin leads the team, and has experience representing clients at all levels. Barrister Jim Littlehales has key strength in motoring crime, while Rob Fones is adept in defending clients accused of sexual offences. Sarah Myatt is a qualified solicitor advocate, and has expertise in representing clients affected by mental health issues.

Responsables de la pratique:

Michal Devlin


Autres avocats clés:

Jim Littlehales; Rob Fones; Sarah Myatt


Les références

Switalksis still do things the ‘right’ way. They attend court to support counsel and their lay clients. They act quickly upon requests from counsel. They display the highest professional standards and genuinely care about their clients’ cases.

‘I would have no hesitation in recommending them if a family member or friend needed representation in criminal proceedings which is, arguably, the best measure of a firm’s qualities.’

Wilford Smith

Wilford Smith is active in the North and nationwide in cases of fraud and serious crime, including high profile murders, sexual offences, and drug-related crimes. The team, based in Sheffield, is led by fraud and financial crime expert Dapinder Singh KC, Rebecca Smith-Bains, whose practice includes violent crimes, fraud, and money laundering, and Mark Bates, who covers misconduct prosecutions and confiscation matters, amongst other issues. ‘Tenacious’ advocate Helen White is a key name.

Responsables de la pratique:

Dapinder Singh KC; Rebecca Smith-Bains; Mark Bates


Autres avocats clés:

Jon Ford; Helen White


Les références

‘The practice is very highly regarded for the specialist advice it provides where serious fraud is, or may be, alleged, and for general crime. The ethos of the firm is of teamwork through thorough preparation and providing or obtaining the best specialist advice.’

‘Rebecca Smith-Bains, the principal partner of the firm, is a standout professional of the highest calibre and experience. She has a very hard-working client friendly approach which she combines with shrewd insight and meticulous preparation making for a distinctive and valuable advisor.’

‘Mark Bates is a wonderful gentleman and great at what he does, very approachable and has a great reputation in Sheffield.’

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell fields a regulatory and criminal investigations group that has a long history in serious fraud and financial crime, with core strength in general crime. Jason Newall leads the team, and is described as ‘super efficient and tactically astute.’ Newall works between Sheffield and Leeds, and has a broad criminal law practice. Kathryn Pitters is a name to note.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jason Newall


Autres avocats clés:

Kathryn Pitter


Les références

‘Top tier lawyers with capability way above and beyond the average high street brief.

‘Jason Newall from the Sheffield branch is an exceptional lawyer. Super efficient and tactically astute in every case.’

‘The team is on the front foot with their clients, leading communication with counsel to ensure their clients interests are advanced and protected throughout the investigation and proceedings.’

Lupton Fawcett

Lupton Fawcett has aptitude across the spectrum of regulatory crime. The group has key strength in fraud and proceeds of crime, as well as sexual offences. Jeremy Scott leads the team, working between Leeds and York. Scott has significant experience in the practice area, with a record of defending both individuals and businesses. Meghan Waldron‘s practice covers fraud, murder, and road traffic offences, among other matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Jeremy Scott


Autres avocats clés:

Meghan Waldron; Jonathan Cripwell; Richard Etherington


Les références

‘Richard Etherington brings wise, realistic advice to difficult cases. He has the patience of a saint.’

‘The team at Lupton Fawcett are highly knowledgeable and specialist team within crime and fraud. They are very proactive on behalf of their clients. They are highly focused on client care.’

‘Jeremy Scott heads the criminal and regulatory team. Very well known in the legal community. A calm and effective presence in cases.’