Peters & Peters

Private Prosecutions

As state prosecution agencies increasingly struggle for the time and resources to investigate and prepare cases successfully, private prosecution is an attractive alternative for individuals or companies who are victims of crime.

Peters & Peters pioneered the way for high-value private prosecutions and continue to be market leaders in this growing area.

“Peters & Peters is noted for its private prosecutions practice”. (Chambers & Partners 2021)

A private prosecution can be an efficient and focused means of achieving justice. This is particularly true in cases involving fraud, which can take many years for public bodies to investigate.For companies, a private prosecution can send a powerful deterrent message.

 

Our unparalleled experience of both defending and bringing private prosecutions makes us a market leader in this rapidly developing area. Since January 2020 we have represented the Post Office, acting as a private prosecutor, in the largest series of criminal appeals in UK legal history.

 

We have a proven track record in the conduct of private prosecutions, having successfully brought the largest private prosecution on behalf of an individual in the UK to date. R v Somaia resulted in nine convictions for obtaining a money transfer by deception with a total value of US$19.7m.

 

Our highly experienced team of lawyers includes former senior prosecutors. They lead clients through the sometimes daunting process of mounting a case as well as the complexities of the criminal justice system. It is a testament to our undoubted expertise that the Crown Prosecution Service refused to take over the prosecution of R v Somaia, citing, among other reasons, Peters & Peters’ ability to conduct the prosecution to the rigorously high standards required.

 

We have a lot of experience defending private prosecutions as well as bringing them. We successfully resisted two separate private prosecutions brought against global financial institutions before they got to court. We also acted in high-profile proceedings brought against a former partner in an international law firm by a former client.

 

We also help individuals and companies to report crimes to the right authority or agency. We can guide you through the process of gathering evidence and help present it in a clear and concise manner, ensuring any investigation has the best possible chance of success. We liaise with the investigating or prosecuting authority on your behalf, making sure you are kept informed of progress.