- Tel:
- Work 020 8563 9797
- Fax:
- Fax 020 8563 9798
- Web:
- www.lansbury-worthington.co.uk
- Email:
Lansbury Worthington is a rising criminal defence law firm specialising in commercial and business fraud, regulatory offences, serious and general crime, extradition and prison law, as well certain specific civil law areas (personal injury, actions against the police, and employment law).
The firm: Established in 1999, the firm has grown steadily to become one of the larger criminal law specialist firms in London and the UK. Its aim is to provide the highest level of expertise at an affordable price and in an approachable manner. The firm is based in Hammersmith, west London, but also has consulting rooms in central London (107-111 Fleet Street, EC4).
Types of work undertaken: Commercial and business fraud: the firm has developed considerable expertise in serious high value business fraud cases, and in particular has been involved with several of the numerous Operation Swale Home Office visa fraud prosecutions (including the lead case). It is authorised by the Legal Services Commission to run VHCC (very high cost case) contracts, which regime has effectively replaced the Serious Fraud Panel. The VHCC team is led by Charles Worthington.
Regulatory offences: it has substantial expertise in recent DEFRA and HSE prosecutions of both companies and individuals, having run such cases under the VHCC regime, and has represented individuals facing disciplinary proceedings before the BMA and SRA.
Serious and general crime: the firm has considerable experience in this area, and is able to offer specialist advice and representation on everything from murder to speeding. The firm thinks that much can be achieved by providing timely and insightful advice before or at the police station/investigation stage, and that this is a crucial moment for clients to choose the right legal team. A number of clients have had significant public profiles (whether in the entertainment or sports worlds) and have required a particular understanding of discretion and profile management.
Extradition: Lansbury Worthington is able to advise and represent clients facing extradition to foreign jurisdictions under the leadership of Giovanna Fiorentino, head of its extradition department. The firm has lawyers fluent in Italian, Polish, Russian, Romanian, Spanish and Turkish, and has established strong links with law firms in Poland, Romania and Italy.
Prison law: Susan Twyman is a leading prison law specialist in the UK and has established a growing reputation in this field.
Money laundering and asset seizure: the Crown increasingly is using its powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act to seize and retain purported criminal assets in a wide variety of cases. Additionally, police and similar agencies are seizing assets pending investigation, often causing significant financial hardship to those affected. The firm has established links with specialist financial experts, and has had some notable successes in recovering seized assets on behalf of clients, and in reducing substantially the claimed benefit figures in confiscation proceedings.
Civil law (private client): it has a thriving civil law department dealing specifically with personal injury, actions against the police and employment law. In conjunction with its prison law department, the firm has developed particular expertise in advising on tariff and IPPs (indeterminate public protection sentences), and on the consequences of the prison service failing to provide appropriate facilities for clients to comply with such sentences.
Breakdown of work %
Serious fraud/VHCC 40
Crime 40
Personal injury 15
Employment 5
Number of UK partners 4
Number of other UK fee-earners 36
Above material supplied by Lansbury Worthington Solicitors.