Question 1

When do I need criminal defence for tax matters?

Accepted Answer

You need criminal defence representation when HMRC's investigation transitions from civil to criminal, or when you face prosecution for tax-related offenses. This occurs in several scenarios: • Receiving a formal criminal investigation notice from HMRC Fraud Investigation Service • Being interviewed under caution (you have the right to remain silent) • Receiving a search warrant execution at your home or business • Being arrested for suspected tax fraud • Being charged with tax evasion offenses Criminal investigations differ fundamentally from civil enquiries—the burden of proof is 'beyond reasonable doubt' and outcomes include criminal convictions, prison sentences, and permanent criminal records. If you reject a COP 9 CDF offer, HMRC may pursue criminal prosecution. Criminal defence requires legal expertise—accountants cannot provide legal privilege protection or represent you in criminal proceedings. Our strategic partnership with Bark & Co Solicitors ensures seamless transition to criminal defence when investigations escalate beyond civil matters. If you're facing potential criminal prosecution, [contact us immediately](/contact) for urgent assessment.

Question 2

What is the Parousia and Bark & Co partnership?

Accepted Answer

Parousia Limited has a strategic partnership with Bark & Co Solicitors, one of London's leading criminal defence law firms, specifically for tax-related criminal matters. This partnership provides clients with seamless integration between tax expertise and criminal law representation. Parousia manages the tax technical aspects: • Calculating exposures • Analyzing HMRC evidence • Preparing disclosure reports • Quantifying liabilities Bark & Co provides: • Legal representation • Legal professional privilege protection • Criminal procedure expertise • Courtroom advocacy This dual capability is essential because criminal tax cases require both deep tax knowledge and criminal litigation skills. The partnership means you don't need to coordinate between separate advisors—we work as an integrated team. Bark & Co's criminal defence specialists understand tax law complexities, while our tax experts understand criminal investigation procedures and evidence requirements. This collaboration significantly improves outcomes in cases where criminal prosecution risk exists or materializes. For urgent criminal matters, email [PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com](mailto:PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com) or [schedule a consultation](/contact).

Question 3

What happens during police station representation?

Accepted Answer

If you're arrested or asked to attend a voluntary interview under caution for tax-related offenses, you have the absolute right to legal representation before and during questioning. Police station representation involves: • Immediate attendance by a criminal defence solicitor when you're detained • Private consultation before any police or HMRC interview • Advice on whether to answer questions or exercise your right to silence • Protection against aggressive or improper questioning techniques • Ensuring proper interview procedures are followed Everything you say during police interviews can be used as prosecution evidence—poor advice or no representation at this stage often determines case outcomes. The 'right to silence' is crucial in tax cases where financial explanations require careful consideration. Through our Bark & Co partnership, clients receive immediate police station attendance 24/7, protecting their position from the investigation's earliest moments when mistakes are most easily made and hardest to correct. For emergency arrest or interview situations, contact [PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com](mailto:PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com?subject=URGENT%20-%20Police%20Station%20Representation) immediately.

Question 4

What should I expect during a criminal tax investigation?

Accepted Answer

Criminal tax investigations are significantly more invasive and adversarial than civil enquiries. Expect: • Formal interviews under caution where you're warned that statements can be used as evidence in court • Search warrant executions allowing HMRC officers to enter premises and seize documents, computers, and other evidence • Restraint orders freezing assets to prevent disposal • Detailed forensic analysis of financial records going back 20+ years • Witness interviews including employees, family members, and business associates • Potential surveillance or monitoring of activities • Production orders requiring third parties (banks, solicitors, accountants) to provide information • Lengthy investigation periods often exceeding 2-3 years The investigation burden is substantial—you must provide extensive evidence while defending against prosecution. Unlike civil investigations, criminal cases involve the Crown Prosecution Service who make charging decisions independent of HMRC. Throughout this process, having integrated tax and criminal defence representation is essential for protecting your rights and building an effective defence strategy. If you're under criminal investigation, [contact us immediately](/contact) or email [PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com](mailto:PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com) for urgent advice.

Question 5

Can you go to prison for tax crimes in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Yes—tax evasion and fraud are serious criminal offenses in the UK carrying substantial prison sentences. The maximum sentence for common tax fraud (cheating the public revenue) is 7 years imprisonment, though sentences of 10+ years are possible for the most serious organized cases. HMRC secures approximately 600-800 criminal convictions annually for tax offenses. Sentencing guidelines consider: • The amount evaded (higher amounts mean longer sentences) • The sophistication of the fraud • The duration of offending • Whether multiple tax heads were involved • The defendant's role (organizers receive harsher sentences than participants) • Early guilty pleas (typically 1/3 sentence reduction) • Cooperation with authorities Recent cases show average custodial sentences of 24-42 months for deliberate evasion exceeding £100,000. First-time offenders with smaller amounts and genuine mitigation may receive suspended sentences, but custody is increasingly common as HMRC adopts a more aggressive prosecution approach. If you're facing potential criminal prosecution, [schedule a consultation](/contact) immediately or email [PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com](mailto:PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com).

Question 6

How should I prepare for a criminal tax interview?

Accepted Answer

Preparing for criminal tax interviews requires comprehensive legal and tax technical preparation. Never attend without specialist representation. Preparation involves: • Reviewing all evidence HMRC has disclosed • Analyzing financial records to understand their interpretation versus reality • Identifying inconsistencies or errors in HMRC's evidence • Preparing accurate explanations for questioned transactions • Understanding technical tax positions that may explain apparent discrepancies • Deciding whether to answer questions or exercise your right to silence • Preparing a legal representative's opening statement • Anticipating HMRC's questioning strategy • Reviewing criminal interview procedures and your rights Many clients initially underestimate interview importance—statements made here often become the prosecution's core evidence. Contradictory or implausible explanations are devastating at trial. Conversely, well-prepared, consistent, truthful answers can undermine prosecution theories. The decision whether to answer questions is strategic—sometimes silence is appropriate while evidence is incomplete; other times, providing explanations early prevents charges. This requires expert legal judgment. Contact [PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com](mailto:PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com) immediately to prepare for your interview, or [schedule an urgent consultation](/contact).

Question 7

What are my rights during a criminal investigation?

Accepted Answer

You have substantial legal protections during criminal tax investigations. Key rights include: • The right to remain silent—you cannot be forced to answer questions that may incriminate you (though courts may draw adverse inferences in some circumstances) • The right to legal representation at all interviews and proceedings • Legal professional privilege protecting confidential communications with solicitors • The right to be informed of the allegation against you before questioning • The right to private consultation with your solicitor before and during interviews • The right to review disclosed evidence (though HMRC may withhold sensitive material during investigation) • Protection against self-incrimination—in some cases you can refuse to produce documents • The right to a fair trial if charged However, certain powers override normal protections: • Production orders can compel document provision • Search warrants allow evidence seizure • Restraint orders can freeze assets Understanding and properly exercising these rights requires immediate specialist legal representation. Contact [PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com](mailto:PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com) or [schedule a consultation](/contact) to protect your rights.

Question 8

What is the difference between civil and criminal tax investigations?

Accepted Answer

Civil and criminal tax investigations differ fundamentally in procedure, burden of proof, and consequences. Key differences: Civil investigations (COP 8, COP 9): • Focus on recovering unpaid tax through penalties and interest • Burden of proof is 'balance of probabilities' • You must generally cooperate and provide evidence • Settlements are financial • Managed by HMRC's tax divisions • Typically resolve in 18-36 months Criminal investigations: • Seek conviction and punishment • Burden of proof is 'beyond reasonable doubt' • You have the right to silence • Result in criminal records, potential imprisonment, and collateral consequences (professional disbarment, directorship prohibitions) • Involve HMRC Fraud Investigation Service and the Crown Prosecution Service • Often take 3-5 years Legal professional privilege is critical in criminal cases but less protective in civil matters. The stakes are incomparably higher in criminal investigations—requiring integrated criminal law and tax expertise. If you're unsure whether your case is civil or criminal, [contact us immediately](/contact) or email [PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com](mailto:PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com).

Question 9

How does Bark & Co work with Parousia on my case?

Accepted Answer

Our integrated approach ensures seamless coordination between tax expertise and criminal defence. The typical workflow: Initial Assessment: • Parousia conducts initial assessment of your tax position, exposure quantification, and HMRC evidence analysis • If criminal prosecution risk is identified, Bark & Co is immediately engaged while Parousia continues tax technical work Joint Strategy: • Both teams jointly strategize on investigation approach, disclosure decisions, and defence positioning Division of Responsibilities: • Bark & Co handles all criminal procedure matters—police station attendance, interview representation, court appearances, and criminal law advice • Parousia provides ongoing tax technical support—calculating correct tax positions, analyzing HMRC's tax arguments, preparing expert reports for trial Unified Communication: • We maintain unified communication with you and coordinate all HMRC interactions This collaboration avoids the common problem where solicitors lack tax expertise or tax advisors lack criminal law knowledge. You benefit from both specialisms working as one team, with clear leadership depending on whether tax technical or criminal legal issues predominate at each investigation stage. To discuss how our integrated approach can help your case, [contact us](/contact) or email [PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com](mailto:PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com).

Question 10

What are the costs of criminal tax defence?

Accepted Answer

Criminal defence costs vary significantly based on case complexity, but expect substantially higher fees than civil investigations due to the legal representation required. Typical cost structure: • Initial assessment and strategy: £5,000-£15,000 • Police station attendance and initial interviews: £3,000-£8,000 per attendance • Ongoing investigation representation: £25,000-£75,000 depending on duration • Evidence preparation and expert reports: £15,000-£40,000 • Trial preparation if charged: £30,000-£100,000+ • Trial representation: £50,000-£250,000+ for Crown Court trials lasting 1-4 weeks Tax technical work by Parousia (exposure analysis, disclosure preparation, expert witness services) adds £20,000-£80,000 depending on complexity. Total costs for cases proceeding to trial often reach £150,000-£400,000+. However, legal aid may be available for those meeting financial eligibility criteria. Early resolution through cooperation and strong defence significantly reduces costs. The cost of conviction—prison, criminal record, reputation damage—far exceeds defence costs. For a detailed fee estimate tailored to your case, [schedule a consultation](/contact) or email [PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com](mailto:PaulaPayen@parousia-accounting.com).

Criminal Tax
Defence

Comprehensive Defence Partnership

Bark & Co Solicitors

Coordinated Strategy

Our Combined Expertise

Parousia Limited Role

Bark & Co Role

When Criminal Proceedings Begin

Immediate Assessment

Defence Strategy

Full Representation

Facing Criminal Investigation?