Advisory & Regulatory

At Wilford Smith, we have a dedicated team of advisory and regulatory solicitors who provide advice and support to professionals and their businesses on all aspects of their dealings with regulators across England and Wales, as well as other agencies with enforcement powers across a broad range of sectors. Our lawyers have many years of experience working with advisory and regulatory bodies to provide clear, proactive advice on matters including regulatory compliance, enforcement, investigations, adjudication and prosecutions.

We take instruction from regulatory bodies looking to protect the rights of their members. Our solicitors are renowned for their skills in advocacy and litigation. To discuss your circumstances, speak to one of our specialist team today. Call us on 0808 164 1349 or complete our online contact form.

Private prosecutions and regulatory compliance

A private prosecution can be initiated by any person or organisation and operates in almost all respects in the same manner as a public prosecution. Private prosecutions are becoming increasingly common in respect of regulatory compliance as state authorities, mainly for budgetary reasons, decline to pursue prosecutions against firms for breaches or duties and obligations. These prosecutions may be undertaken to bring the offending person or company to justice publicly, but also to send a message which deters others from engaging in similar conduct.

Our expertise

We have experience advising private prosecutions involving:

• Professional regulators bringing actions for illegal practices
• Industry regulators utilising criminal enforcement alongside civil enforcement regimes
• Fire authorities who bring prosecutions for fire safety failings
• Charities using private prosecutions in pursuit of their charitable objectives

Private prosecutions bring perpetrators of criminal offences before the courts in the same way as if the case was being brought by the police or Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) – a conviction can often result in prison sentences, financial penalties, a criminal record and irreparable damage to reputation.

Contact our private prosecution solicitors in Sheffield

Due to our experience and expertise in this complex regulatory area, we can provide detailed and comprehensive advice on most regulatory areas. Our advisory and regulatory solicitors appreciate the need for swift and responsive advice when it comes to regulatory issues – we regularly help clients to prosecute in respect of regulatory investigations.

Our Private Prosecution Solicitors are based in Sheffield and service clients throughout England and Wales. Contact us today on 0808 164 1349 to find out how we can help.