Serious crime lawyers

Call us on +44 (0)20 7597 6150 for our 24-hours a day, 365 days a year emergency hotline, if you require immediate assistance from a lawyer on criminal matters.

If you are being held in police custody or need emergency legal representation, our lawyers are on hand to assist.

This number is only for use in circumstances where immediate emergency help is required.  Our team are unable to respond to general enquiries on this line.

It is important to find a criminal lawyer with the knowledge and experience to provide robust legal advice and defence when needed. With a highly skilled and determined team, you can be sure of representation from eminent lawyers in their respective fields.

In Singapore

Withers KhattarWong LLP has one of the largest criminal law practices in Singapore among international law firms. Our dedicated serious crime legal team are regarded as the leading criminal defence practice in Singapore and are instrumental in advancing criminal procedure in the republic. 

Our criminal lawyers can advise and defend in matters such as bribery and corruption, insider trading, casino fraud, forgery and market manipulation cases. Other areas in which our serious crime lawyers can offer substantial expertise include defending companies facing regulatory action or conducting prosecutions for government authorities. 

Shashi Nathan leads the team at Withers KhattarWong LLP and specialises in criminal litigation. Shashi is described in Who’s Who Legal as one of the leading business crime lawyers in Singapore. 

In recent years, Shashi has acted in the largest cheating cases under the Casino Control Act and was appointed by the Court to act in a high-profile double murder case involving an off-duty police officer. In addition, the serious crime legal team has worked on numerous other complex white and blue collar crime matters. For example, our team is highly sought after to defend cases that involve sexual offences. As such, we act in many notorious cases of rape and outrage of modesty.

Chenthil Kumarasingam, ranked in Doyle’s Guide as one of the leading white collar crime and regulatory investigations lawyers, acts as counsel in white collar criminal matters and professional conduct matters. He advises on matters relating to breaches of professional duties, corruption, criminal breach of trust, customs breaches, fraud, gaming, insider trading, market misconduct, regulatory compliance and money-laundering. He has also coordinated investigations and advised on internal disciplinary proceedings. He is the chairperson of the Criminal Practice Committee of the Law Society of Singapore. 

The practice also strongly believes in the importance of access to justice for all. This is why pro bono defence is at the heart of our corporate social responsibility efforts. It is an important aspect of our day-to-day work. As such, we regularly take on cases for persons in need of criminal defence – even if they have little or no means. We are committed to playing a meaningful role in the community life of Singapore.

In the UK

Withers LLP's criminal defense team in London is unique and highly-skilled, including lawyers with over 20 years' experience in criminal matters, a barrister and a financial regulatory specialist. Advising both corporates and individuals facing scrutiny from law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies, we manage proceedings and investigations involving bodies such as the Financial Conduct Authority, Prudential Regulation Authority, Serious Fraud Office and UK tax authority and the National Crime Agency. We are also uniquely placed to advise individuals in related disciplinary proceedings.

With over 25 years' experience, Carl Newman founded the department and has a reputation for robustly representing his clients’ interests. He routinely deals with a myriad of issues for high profile individuals, senior executives, managers and other UK professionals and has a wealth of experience dealing with serious crime and financial misconduct, representing regulated entities and individuals. He has been recognised by the Legal 500 and Spears, and described as 'an absolutely superb lawyer who is at the top of his game both in legal advice and strategic awareness' by Chambers & Partners

Natalie Sherborn an experienced trial lawyer, prosecuting and defending in serious heavyweight crime for fifteen years prior to entering private practice. Natalie has led complex global corporate investigations and is therefore well placed to advise individuals that may be fall under scrutiny in such processes. She has been recognised by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 as a leader in her field and described as a 'rising star carving a niche for herself acting for high-profile political figures' in The Lawyer Hot 100. 

Former head of Withers' Tax Investigations team, Maurice Martin, is highly experienced in handling complex, cross-jurisdictional and domestic tax investigations.  He brings a wealth of experience to assist high profile individuals and businesses facing HMRC fraud investigations as well as those seeking to make voluntary disclosures.  Recognised for years in the legal directories, Maurice is described in recent editions of Chambers and Partners as being 'technically excellent', 'a pleasure to work with' and 'a consummate professional… whose knowledge is second to none'. 

In the US

Our team of white collar attorneys at Withers Bergman have experience in both criminal and civil issues, advising individuals and businesses facing significant personal and professional scrutiny. They have specialist knowledge in a range of areas and regularly handle investigations involving the U.S. Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory and prosecutorial agencies.

Christopher LaVigne is a highly-regarded and experienced attorney with a proven track record of navigating individuals and companies through high-stakes legal and business issues with a criminal aspect. He regularly represents individuals facing criminal investigations and prosecutions brought by federal, state, and local law enforcement authorities in the United States and foreign venues. 

Martin Auerbach has served in the Judicial and Congressional branches of the US government and in the Executive branch as a member of the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York where he prosecuted Marc Rich, the largest tax evasion case in US history. He has successfully counselled and defended prominent individuals, industry leaders and leading companies in many of the highest profile white collar and regulatory matters, and parallel civil litigation, over the past three decades ranging from the Milken insider trading prosecution to cases arising from the Mueller investigation.

You can be certain that, for any criminal law, white collar defense or serious crime, we will provide a depth of knowledge and expertise that few law firms can match.