News

MPR Solicitors LLP have been retained in three serious Kidnap cases in the last two weeks. Kidnap is a serious offence contrary to common law. It is one of the last serious offences such as homicide which has yet to be codified by any act of parliament. Such cases are very harshly sentenced where Defendants are convicted. It is therefore essential that clients benefit from expert representation from the outset of any such case to maintain every possible opportunity of success. Sound preparation, along with both practical and technical investigation are the key tenants to realising the best possible defence.

At MPR Solicitors, we have experience of dealing with the media. We have acted for entrepreneurs and professional entertainers. We are currently instructed to act for a semi-professional footballer facing serious kidnap allegations.

Kidnap and other serious offences often put significant stress not only on the client but also on immediate family and friends. We have extensive experience of handling serious kidnap and false imprisonment cases.

If you or your family are affected by any of the issues raised here, you can contact the serious crime department in the strictest confidence on 020 8607 4660 or email enquiries@mprsolicitors.co.uk marked for the attention of the Serious Crime Department.

Yesterday afternoon, an Old Bailey jury returned a not-guilty verdict by an 11-1 majority in the case of JGB. This well publicised case attracted significant media attention both in the UK and the United States.
JGB was unavailable for any specific comment yesterday but through his lawyers at MPR Solicitors , he released the following statement:

“An Old Bailey jury has today found me Not Guilty of the allegation brought against me by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). This acquittal has brought to an end a two year period of uncertainty in my personal and professional life. I now wish to return to my family in the US and to continue serving my country as a Federal Air Marshall. I bear no party any ill will. I would like to thank the jury for their careful consideration of the evidence and bringing me final closure through their Not Guilty verdict”.

The successful conclusion of this case brings to an end an extremely turbulent period in JGB’s life. Throughout the entirety of his case, he benefited from the expert support of the MPR specialist team. After an almost 2 year battle, JGB can now return to the United States where it is hoped that the US Department of Homeland Security will reinstate him as an Air Marshal.
A case of this nature, involves extremely sensitive transnational security issues. We employ both technology and unrivaled skill to handle delicate matters and most importantly deliver the right result for our clients. If you are affected by any of the issues discussed above, please do not hesitate to contact either Seema Parikh or Abdullah Al-Yunusi in the strictest confidence.

MPR Solicitors are instructed in representing one of the three people alleged to be involved in a murder which took place over a decade ago. News reports suggest that the body remained undiscovered until a member of the public shed light on the potential of human remains being found underneath a Patio in a residential address at an affluent Fulham residence. The owner of the property was arrested and interviewed immediately and DI Tim Dobson, leading the investigation, is quoted by a local newspaper as stating that the body may have been at the scene for between 15 and 20 years. It is understood that human remains wrapped in a carpet were uncovered by officers executing a warrant at the address.
For more information click the following links: The Sun The Guardian The Metro
This matter is currently being handled by our specialist team who have significant experience of handling serious homicide cases amongst other violent crime.
If you would like further information as to how MPR Solicitors LLPcould assist you, please call us on 020 8607 4660 in confidence or email: seema@mprsolicitors.co.uk

MPR Solicitors have been instructed to represent a dental practitioner who is due to appear at Bradford Crown Court on charges of false accounting. The case represents a full investigation by the DWP into the practices and claiming procedures on the Primary Care Trust and is an alleged fraud on the NHS dating back several years.

MPR Solicitors are members of the Legal Services Commission’s specialist Fraud Panel and have extensive experience and knowledge of defending serious fraud cases and professional clients accused of false accounting and financial impropriety.

We also represent professional clients in tribunal and disciplinary matters and have close ties with Barristers’ Chambers specialising in Professional Discipline and Regulatory issues.

The Firm is able to deal with major fraud cases and has the back-office support staff and IT systems to cope with voluminous paperwork which is inevitably generated on large-scale fraud cases.

If you would like further information as to how MPR Solicitors LLP could assist you, please call us on 020 8607 4660 in confidence or email seema@mprsolicitors.co.uk

Sidney Lumet’s classic movie starring Henry Fonda about 12 jurors having to decide whether a Defendant is guilty or not is no longer the preserve of Hollywood fiction. The Ministry of Justice revealed the results of a 3 year long detailed study undertaken by Professor Cheryl Thomas and her team of the faculty of law at University College London about our jury system. The study concluded that the system was working. Professor Thomas said “Juries are fair and efficient”. However the data gathered from 69,000 jury verdicts also revealed an alarming finding that two in three jurors did not fully understand judges’ legal directions and preferred written directions before they retired to deliberate.

You can read the full report on the link below

http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/docs/are-juries-fair.pdf

This information is also available on the Ministry of Justice website: www.justice.gov.uk/publications/research.htm

MPR Solicitors LLP have dealt with major serious cases involving allegations of jury nobbling, jury impropriety and protected juries. For more details, please contact our Serious Crime Group on 020 8607 4660.

Codenamed Operation Briary, this major investigation has resulted in the arrests and charge of a number of Defendants now facing trial at Inner London Crown Court later this year with conspiracy to import and supply Class A drugs.

The case is being prosecuted by the Revenue and Customs Prosecution Office. The MPR defence team is being led by Seema Parikh and Kit Pung with their experience of defending major drugs cases. Seema Parikh’s cross-border experience has been invaluable in securing evidence from Colombia in previous cases. She has been successful in using evidence obtained from her enquiries in trials within the jurisdiction of England and Wales.

If you wish to discuss any issues raised in this e-news brief or are seeking legal representation in a serious matter and would like the opportunity to discuss matters in confidence, then please contact MPR Solicitors LLP on 020 8607 4660 and ask for the Serious Crime Department and one of our solicitors will be pleased to assist you; or you may email us at enquiries@mprsolicitors.co.uk

Operation Safeco was instigated by the Central Task Force at New Scotland Yard in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police Force’s surveillance units and resulted in multiple arrests and charge of 10 people.

The case will be heard at Kingston Crown Court later this year. The case is being prosecuted by the Special Casework Directorate of the Crown Prosecution Service. Our proximity to Heathrow Airport and other airports and ports means that we areable to offer a dedicated legal team of specialist lawyers who deal with drug importation cases.

 The defence team is being led by Seema Parikh from the Firm’s Serious Crime Department whoc has vast experience in all drug importaion cases.

Our client was acquitted after a protracted legal battle at Staines Magistrates Court costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds over damage to a police mattress valued at £65.15.  It had been the Crown’s case that our client had either deliberately or recklessly caused damage to a police mattress by chewing it thereby causing a tear approximately 3 inches in length whilst he had been in police custody. The incident had been recorded on CCTV in the police cell. With skillful cross-examination of the Prosecution witnesses who were either police officers or police civilian staff, we were able to highlight the inconsistencies in the Crown’s case. We also called an eminent Consultant Psychiatrist to give expert evidence in the trial to deal with issues of automatism and psychotic episodes. Full legal submissions were made and the Court acquitted our client.

MPR’s Managing Partner’s comments on the case:

“From the start of this case I had always been very confident and was fully aware that the case would hinge upon medical evidence. Once the medical evidence had been obtained on our client’s behalf, I personally made a number of written and oral representations to the Crown Prosecution Service and it was a shame that they decided to ignore them and put a vulnerable person through the trauma of an unnecessary trial. We are now considering taking legal action against the police. I feel very strongly about Human Rights and fighting for the vulnerable in society. In this case it became very clear to me that my client had a defence in law and that my client had been the victim of police prejudice and victimisation.”

If you wish to discuss any issues raised in this news item or are seeking legal advice, please contact us on 020 8607 4660 or by email at law@mprsolicitors.co.uk

The acquittal was based on legal argument about the powers of police and the rules of law that they must apply when stopping and searching members of the public. In this case the police had not acted in accordance with the procedures set out in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. We were able to secure defence witnesses in the case and prepare for the trial with meticulous attention to detail. We were able to provide support and assistance to our client and his family throughout the proceedings and at all stages in his case.

Court proceedings can be daunting and intimidating, especially for young children and teenagers. At MPR Solicitors, we have a Young Persons Department with solicitors experienced in dealing with younger clients and Youth Court work. We can provide clear and friendly legal advice at all stages in a young person’s case.

If you wish to discuss any issues raised in this news item or are seeking legal advice on behalf of your child or relative in a Youth Court matter, please contact us on 020 8607 4660 or by email at law@mprsolicitors.co.uk

MPR Solicitors represented an Indian IT project manager who was charged with indecent assault on board an Air India flight and was acquitted by a jury at Isleworth Crown Court on 12 January 2010.

The Indian national who does not wish to be named for personal reasons, was travelling on an Air India flight from Mumbai to London Heathrow in August 2009. During the flight he was accused of indecently assaulting a female passenger who had been sitting next to him. The Prosecution claimed that he had touched the passenger in her private area and was getting ready to grope her. The newly-married executive who works for a multi-national IT software company had maintained throughout his trial that he had never sexually touched the female passenger who is a professional psychiatrist.

The jury took only a few minutes to return a not guilty verdict after a three day trial at Isleworth Crown Court.

MPR Solicitors LLP have specialist lawyers who can assist you and advise you at every step in your case. If you wish to discuss any issues raised in this news item or are seeking legal advice, please contact us on 020 8607 4660 or by email at  law@mprsolicitors.co.uk