Sherrards secures landmark acquittal in multi-million pound HMRC fraud case
26 March 2025
Sherrards Solicitors, AGA's law firm member in London and South East England has announced a successful defence of the lead defendant in an HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) multi-million-pound VAT fraud prosecution that concerned former senior executives of a global media company.
Sherrards acted for the former Global COO, who was the First Defendant. Senior Consultant to Sherrards Fraud and Business Crime Team. Simon Morgan headed the defence team, alongside Aleksandra Rychlewska.
Following a 9-year investigation by HMRC’s Offshore Corporate & Wealthy Division, criminal proceedings were commenced in early 2023 by the specialist division of the CPS, the Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Directorate (SEOCID). The trial commenced in February 2025 at Southwark Crown Court in London.
As a result of the proactive and exhaustive preparation carried out by Sherrards, instructing counsel from Libertas Chambers, the Crown offered no evidence after 6 weeks into a trial that was due to last 4 months, after accepting failures in the disclosure process.
Sherrards secured not only the acquittal of its own client, but the collapse of the entire case resulting in the acquittal of the other 5 defendants. Thanks are extended to Simon Csoka KC and Roxanne Morrell, of counsel who were retained by Sherrards, for their expertise and assistance in achieving this extraordinary result.
About Sherrards:
Sherrards AGA's legal representative in London and South East England is a full-service commercial law firm, founded in 1880 and which has since expanded and transformed from a small local player to a mid-tier firm with a strong sector-led offering. The firm's strong culture and the impressive work they do attracts talent from across the UK and internationally.
Sherrards has four international desks covering off work from China & Southeast Asia, Russia & CIS Regions, Egypt & North Africa, and France and Germany.
Sherrards has been a member of Alliott Global Alliance since 2005 and works hard to continue to strengthen the membership, relationships, and potential opportunities, Together as One.