MPR instructed to defend son of HNW in University rape allegation

Our client is the son of a foreign HNW studying at Oxbridge facing an allegation of rape. MPR solicitors were chosen for its expertise and experience in successfully defending cases where individuals are accused of serious sexual offences. Unfortunately, our client was originally represented by a Duty Solicitor at the police station and the representation received was not as effective as one would have expected. MPR solicitors soon took over the case following charge and a fully contested trial is now anticipated in 2016.

The firm is rapidly gaining a reputation for defending those accused or charged with historic child abuse and serious sexual offences. The highly discreet and professional team is run by Managing Partner Seema Parikh who has a calm but strategic manner in dealing with these very sensitive cases. She has acted for individuals in the film industry, footballers, Armed Forces Personnel, professionals, teachers, accountants, bankers and even a US Air Marshall where the President of the United States was personally briefed on the case.

The Team covers all nature of cases from the most serious historic sexual abuse cases to rape, possession of indecent images, extreme pornography, voyeurism, offences outraging public decency, sexting.

Our aim is two-fold:

1. To give pre-charge advice where individuals are still being investigated by the police with a view to bolstering the defence case and making tactical decisions to avoid a charge or preserving and obtaining crucial defence evidence. This could also include making written representations to the CPS not to charge the case on the basis that it has not met the threshold for prosecution.

2. Where an individual has been charged, to provide a pro-active defence utilising the firm’s expertise and knowledge of legal issues, IT, Forensic issues, psychiatric and psychological issues such as false memory syndrome. We can put together a highly effective team of relevant experts to assist the defence case and strategy. We also work very closely with leading barristers and Queens Counsel. The firm also has an in-house senior barrister who also practices at the Independent Bar to whom we can always consult for initial specific advice without the costs of formally instructing a barrister thus saving clients the initial expense and providing a seamless service.

We would prefer to advise and represent clients at the early initial stages in investigations as this is where the defence really starts. Strategic advice at the police interview stage is crucial to a defence case. A case can be lost or won in some cases depending on the advice that was given by a solicitor during the police PACE interview. Most solicitors are not experts in the law on sexual offences and may not realise the serious implications of the Sex Offenders Register if a person admits or is convicted of a sexual offence.

However, we understand that sometimes individuals may have been interviewed by police without a solicitor or may have used the services of a free duty solicitor at the police station and are now seeking specialist legal advice. In those circumstances, we can take over the case and offer specialist defence advice with an initial consultation.

At all times we understand that anyone facing these types of offences will be put under considerable strain and pressure and so too will their family. We treat all our clients with the dignity and sensitivity that they deserve and we do not judge our clients. We act in a professional manner at all times. We understand that often an individual may not wish to disclose the nature of the case to members of the family and in those circumstances, we work very closely with our clients and can act as a sounding board for those tough times.

We take the stress off our clients from having to liaise with the police which can often be a daunting exercise especially for those not used to being investigated. We will liaise directly with the police or the CPS in your behalf thereby avoiding any potentially embarrassing phone calls, letters and/or emails.

Our clients are given two points of contact at the firm and will always have access for advice to the firm’s Managing Partner or a designated member of her team.

We operate a 24 hour advice and representation line for our clients and they can access a solicitor in an emergency 24/7.

Seema Parikh has written a brief news bulletin on the various police operations that are currently investigating allegations of historic sexual abuse. For more details please click here.