Advising Clients Facing HMRC Criminal Investigation - Early Strategic Response & Common Pitfalls

Introduction

A criminal investigation by HMRC can create immediate legal, practical and reputational challenges for individuals and businesses alike. Early decisions can have a significant impact on the course of an investigation, yet clients often underestimate the seriousness of initial HMRC contact or take steps which inadvertently worsen their position.

This webinar will provide a practical overview of the early stages of HMRC criminal investigations, focusing on how advisers can identify risk, respond strategically and avoid common pitfalls. It will consider how matters escalate from civil HMRC scrutiny into criminal investigation, the early warning signs advisers should recognise and the importance of early, coordinated advice.

Particular focus will be given to interviews under caution and the strategic considerations that arise when clients are asked to engage with HMRC in a criminal context.

This webinar offers a practical insight into managing the early stages of criminal scrutiny, identifying key strategic risks early and protecting the client’s position from the outset. It is ideal for lawyers, tax advisers, accountants, compliance professionals, in-house counsel, MLROs, corporate governance professionals and directors.

What You Will Learn

This webinar will cover the following:

• How matters escalate from civil HMRC scrutiny into criminal investigation and the early warning signs advisers should recognise
• Common client mistakes in the early stages of HMRC criminal investigations
• Interviews under caution - what advisers need to understand
• Key strategic considerations before a client engages with HMRC
• Managing document preservation, internal communications and early fact-finding