Fraud and Financial Crime: Police Station Attendance Notes

Understanding the allegation

Fraud cases may span multiple transactions, companies, and co-suspects. Start the note with a concise allegation summary: offence type, period, amount, and client's alleged role. Update if disclosure develops during the attendance.

Managing voluminous disclosure

You may not finish reading all material at the station. Record what was reviewed, what was outstanding, and advice on interviewing with partial disclosure. Request additional time or further disclosure if appropriate, and record the response.

• Offence type and period alleged
• Amount or benefit figure if disclosed
• Client's role as alleged vs instructions
• Documents reviewed and outstanding
• Co-defendant or corporate entity issues
• Account restraint or seizure mentioned

Interview and escape fees

Fraud attendances frequently run long. Activity-based time recording is essential for escape claims and firm cost tracking. Narrative should explain complexity factually: number of document bundles, hours of consultation, multiple interviews.

Should I summarise every document?

No. Summarise categories of evidence and key documents that shaped advice. Detail belongs in a structured disclosure summary section, not a document-by-document list.

What about account freezing orders?

Record if mentioned in disclosure or by the client. Flag urgent follow-up for the firm. Restraint issues may need specialist civil/fraud team input.

Are fraud cases always joint with others?

Often, but not always. Record co-suspect disclosure and whether interview strategy was affected by others' anticipated accounts.