Kingsley Napley 24 HOUR SEARCH Sports, Media and High Profile Personalities Home Services Criminal Litigation Criminal Defence and Police Investigations Sports, Media and High Profile Personalities "The KN team are one of the best known, oldest and highly regarded teams in this area of work. They get first rate work and deliver excellent results." Legal 500 UK 2021 For over 75 years, our lawyers have discreetly advised public figures in some of the highest profile cases of the last century. Our lawyers understand the pressures of being in the public eye and seek to shield our clients from the often intrusive media glare. We offer legal representation and advice to clients and their advisors to enable them to manage their public, business and private lives. Our history of discretion and sensitivity inspires trust in our clients, providing confidence in the fact that we will care for every aspect of their lives and protect their rights and interests. Our understanding of a client’s right to privacy, the reputational damage a difficult case can bring and the need to keep business running, make Kingsley Napley the lawyers of choice when looking for a trusted advisor. Our criminal defence lawyers are astute, supportive and highly sophisticated. We are recognised for our skill in providing strategic, practical criminal law advice. We understand the reputational damage a police investigation can bring and that being in the public eye brings unwanted media attention. Discretion is our watch word and we are skilled in crisis management, shielding our clients from the media glare. From accompanying clients to police station interviews to managing every step of a criminal investigation, we guide clients through their options and give advice on the best course of action to take. We recognise that to achieve the very best outcome for our clients we need to be proactive from the earliest moment of a police investigation. In many instances we can help to avoid an arrest taking place, with all the potentially onerous consequences that can flow from an arrest: restrictions on travel, oppressive bail conditions, and the likelihood that fingerprint and DNA samples will be taken that will remain on a national database for life. There is a myth that those who attend the police station with a lawyer only do so because they are guilty. In fact, those who have the benefit of legal advice are more able to make the right decision about whether and how to answer questions. Those that have a lawyer are much less likely to be taken advantage of by the police. What happens at the police station can dictate how well you are able to defend the case later if it develops. It also means you have a better chance of bringing the investigation to a conclusion sooner rather than later. Many people, when faced with police questioning, attend on their own, believing they can talk their way out of the situation and leave as quickly as possible. This is rarely the best long term strategy. Our aim is to help you to stop, think and give the best account of yourself. By attending the police station with one of our specialist lawyers we will be able to obtain information about the investigation, the reasons why you are being interviewed, explain the process to you, advise on your options and ensure that you are treated fairly throughout the proceedings. Sometimes the best advice is to decline to answer questions, at least until further information is provided as to the case against you; or alternatively, it may be better to produce a written statement setting out your case in a clear and structured way. Even if you decide to answer questions, you will want to think carefully in advance about the issues with which you will have to deal. WHAT CLIENTS AND DIRECTORIES HAVE SAID Further information If you have any questions, please contact a member of our criminal litigation team. Reputation management can also be a key consideration when high profile individuals are faced with criminal allegations, as press interest is common, especially where the individual and/or the organisation are high profile. Our team of Reputation Management lawyers can quickly assess the situation and give strategic advice on courses of action to take in respect of privacy, defamation and data protection issues. Kingsley Napley is ranked in Band 1 for General Crime by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. Kingsley Napley has real strength and expertise at all levels of the crime group. The team is hard-working, focused on getting results and yet maintains the human touch." Legal 500 UK 2020 They are able to draw on expertise across the firm to provide a seamless service - if you are facing criminal allegations they can also handle the media, as well as any employment issues or regulatory proceedings that may arise." Chambers UK 2020 – A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession +44 (0)20 7814 1200 Contact the team David Sleight Partner Email David Sandra Paul Partner Email Sandra Helen Morris Partner VIEW FULL TEAM Highly collaborative and team based in everything they do. Friendly and down to earth while also being world class. Uniquely able to bring together the brightest and the best but without being pompous or superior in their attitude. Great listeners, hard workers and tactically the best in the business." Legal 500 UK 2021 The lawyers on the crime team are relentlessly good at what they do. They have a collaborative approach and are incredibly thorough and detailed in their work." Chambers UK 2021 KN are exceptional in almost all categories! They are streaks ahead of everyone else and provide a very high level of service. If I were in trouble that’s where I would go. I like the fact they are genuinely committed to providing excellence even on less lucrative cases or on cases of less seriousness. They completely get how serious every case is for a client . They unfailing do the very best for their clients." Legal 500 UK 2021 In dealing with the firm, every aspect was outstanding and of the highest quality." Chambers UK 2021 The general crime department is the best I have ever worked with. They are unsurpassed in the way they work as a team on their cases - it's a very well-drilled, slick operation." Chambers UK 2020 - A Client’s Guide to the UK Legal Profession Latest blogs & news Extradition post-Brexit: the Irish questions On 9 November 2021 Advocate General Kokott handed down her opinion in respect of Case C-479/21 concerning Mr Sn and Mr Sd following a reference from the Irish Supreme Court which was made on 3 August 2021. Her opinion stated that the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement and TCA which ensure the continuation of the European arrest warrant regime in respect of warrants issued by the United Kingdom (“UK”) during the transition period are binding on Ireland. READ MORE ... Extradition case - Wozniak and another v Poland [2021] EWHC 2557 (Admin) Partner, Rebecca Niblock has commented in the latest edition of Criminal Law Week on an extradition case - Wozniak and another v Poland [2021] EWHC 2557 (Admin). READ MORE ... Environmental Law Quarterly Update - Q3 2021 This quarterly environmental law update provides a summary of a cross-section of news stories in the period July 2021 - September 2021. READ MORE ... Extradition post-Brexit: plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose? Rebecca Niblock and Edward Grange examine the key changes & similarities to extradition law following Brexit. The introduction of new surrender arrangements under the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Changes effected under the Extradition (Provisional Arrest) Act 2020. READ MORE ... The Tail Wagging the Dog - Hourly Rates Review 2021 The Master of the Rolls, Sir Geoffrey Vos, has approved the new guideline hourly rates (GHR) proposed by the CJC and the Stewart committee which will come into effect on 1st October 2021. These new rates are a result of the final report of the Civil Justice Council released at the end of July 2021 and the forerunning consultation that took place between 8 January and 31 March 2021. READ MORE ... ‘De-risking’ and financial exclusion Rebecca Niblock and Mary Young follow on from an article they wrote in September 2020 about whether there should be a right to banking, and the possibly unintended consequences of banking facilities being withdrawn or frozen. READ MORE ... Upheavals in extradition law In a article originally written for Legal Action Group, Rebecca Niblock and Edward Grange, examine two important changes since the last edition of Extradition law: a practitioner’s guide. READ MORE ... Vue Cinema Chain fined following death of cinema-goer On 20 July 2021 Vue Entertainment Ltd (‘Vue’) was fined £750,000 and ordered to pay costs of £130,000 following a fatal accident at the Star City cinema in Birmingham on 9 March 2018. READ MORE ... The CMA’s Annual Report and digital markets - a time of change This last year has undoubtedly been a busy and challenging one for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). It has seen additional activity arising from its response to the Covid pandemic, the further responsibilities it has taken on post-Brexit (see our related blog: #Brexit, the CMA and competition enforcement), and its work concerning the design and implementation of a pro-competition regime in digital markets. This article looks at its recently published Annual Report and Impact Assessment, calls for change, and the work it has been doing in relation to digital markets. READ MORE ... Charities and internal investigations Charities are not immune to financial crime, fraud or other wrong-doing; there are a number of ways in which charities may be exploited by criminals. READ MORE ... Record fine of £90 million for Southern Water On 9 July 2021 Southern Water Services Ltd (SWS) was fined £90 million, to be paid out of company operating profits, in what was the largest fine ever imposed on a water company. READ MORE ... Environmental Law Quarterly Update - Q2 2021 This quarterly environmental law update provides a summary of a cross-section of news stories in the period April 2021 - June 2021. READ MORE ... R v Wood Treatment Limited - corporate manslaughter and the challenge of proving causation The recent case of R v Wood Limited Treatment highlights the problems faced by prosecution authorities in proving causation for the purposes of establishing criminal liability for corporate manslaughter. READ MORE ... Met Police appetite for Account Freezing Orders undimmed by pandemic Account Freezing Orders (AFrOs) are a measure introduced by the Criminal Finances Act 2017 and have been available to a wide range of law enforcement agencies since February 2018. READ MORE ... FCA signals streamlining of its own processes and toughening up of the regulatory gateway The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), in its annual business plan published today, sets out its areas of focus for the year ahead. It is, as ever, essential reading for all those in the regulated sector. READ MORE ... The FCA proposes new listing guidance for cannabis-related businesses – a positive step for investors concerned about the Proceeds of Crime Act In September 2020 the FCA published a statement regarding the listing of cannabis-related businesses (CRBs) in the UK. Since then several CRBs have been admitted to the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and appetite for investments in the medicinal cannabis industry continues to grow. READ MORE ... Being accused of sexual misconduct when you are a child As a criminal defence solicitor specialising in defending allegations of sexual misconduct and representing children, the perfect storm that has erupted since the launch of Everyone’s Invited has made me privy to some of the saddest and most distraught children I have ever advised. READ MORE ... Regressive approaches to sentencing will not help children or society The head of the Youth Justice Board has rightly criticised the Government’s plans to raise child custodial sentences. At a time when England and Wales falls behind most European countries in protecting children with the lowest age of criminal responsibility (10), it is inexplicable that the Government is taking a further regressive step by seeking to increase the length of time that children must spend in prison. READ MORE ... AML and the Art Market: HMRC publishes its first risk assessment Many art dealers, galleries and auction houses are now subject to the UK’s anti-money laundering regime and are defined as art market participants (AMPs) - see our related blog The compulsory embrace of the art market by the UK's Anti-Money Laundering regime. On 28 June HMRC published its first assessment of the key areas that AMPs should consider when conducting their own assessments of the risk of money laundering and terrorist financing to which their business is subject. READ MORE ... COVID-19 Fraud: HMRC ramps up its investigations activity In March 2021 the Chancellor announced the establishment of a taskforce to investigate those who may have fraudulently made use of government schemes set up to protect individuals and businesses against the economic impact of COVID-19 – such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) (widely referred to as the Furlough scheme), the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) and the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ Scheme. READ MORE ... CRIMINAL LAWYERS CRIMINAL DEFENCE SOLICITORS CRIMINAL LAW CRIMINAL LITIGATION POLICE INVESTIGATIONS PROTECTING YOUR REPUTATION - FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP Services Protecting your Reputation Your reputation is at risk. We’ll help you protect yourself while avoiding the spotlight. Blackmail and Extortion Should you find yourself the victim of extortion or are accused of threatening someone, you should seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity. Sexual Offences We deal with the highest profile and most sensitive cases, providing expert advice and support to both individuals and companies. Police Station Representation and Advice Our team includes specialist police station advisers. We are proactive in achieving the best outcomes for our clients. Criminal Litigation Our criminal lawyers are astute, supportive and highly sophisticated, particularly known for providing strategic, sensible and practical advice. Sport Kingsley Napley has a long history of representing high profile individuals, teams and regulators within the sports industry. Sports, Media and High Profile Personalities Insights BLOG Testing in Testing Times: WADA Anti-Doping Guidance for Athletes in light of COVID-19 Julie Norris BLOG Challenging the prosecution of weak cases and the lack of anonymity for those accused of sexual offences Sandra Paul BLOG Victims of blackmail: will your identity be protected? Will Hayes LOAD MORE Let us take it from here. +44 (0)20 7814 1200 enquiries@kingsleynapley.co.uk CONNECT WITH KN LINKED IN TWITTER SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST Kingsley Napley Legal Notices Privacy Notice Fraud Warning Modern Slavery Statement Complaints Website Terms Cookie Policy Accessibility Site Map © Kingsley Napley LLP. All rights reserved. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, registration number 500046.