Services

LEGAL ADVICE AT THE EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY

Criminal Defence

Criminal law and procedure is complex. We're here to help you through the Criminal Justice System and obtain the best result for you.

If you have been or are about to be arrested, getting advice from a lawyer is the best thing you can do. If you are asked to attend a voluntary interview, again legal advice should be your first port of call.
Philip is also authorised by the Bar Council to advise suspects at the police station. However, there are various reasons why it may be better to have a solicitor present at interview, as opposed to the person you would like to represent you at trial, should you be charged.
Philip can direct you to an experienced solicitor to advise and assist you through the investigation procedure, should that be the better choice for you. Early involvement of a legal team, to devise a robust strategy can have a significant impact any subsequent trial.

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Philip is regularly instructed in criminal cases alleging complex fraud, money laundering, people trafficking, people smuggling, modern slavery, false imprisonment, possession of firearms, murder, robbery, rape, drugs supply, importation and serious assaults such as section 18 Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) and attempted murder. He has also acted as both leading and led junior advocate in several complex frauds, large-scale drug conspiracies and murder cases. He has acted on behalf of numerous high-profile individuals whose cases have been the subject of extensive international media coverage.
Instruct a professional and let us take the stress out of the case.
The earlier you get a lawyer involved the better.
Just because you are innocent, does not mean you don't need legal advice.

Fraud and Regulatory Matters

Experience to help you through the process - Specialist Fraud Barrister

Philip has represented many clients in complex fraud cases, he is considered an expert in this area of law which can require careful analysis of vast amounts of evidence. Philip will ensure all aspects of a case are considered and analysed in detail, to ensure everything is tackled in the right way and ensure the best strategy is taken in both preparation and presentation of your case.

The experience Philip brings to a case will ensure the best outcome.

If you are facing a fraud investigation, you need an experienced lawyer you can rely upon. The law relating to fraud covers many offences and you need someone with experience in all areas. Many of Philip's clients are professional people such as accountants, police officers, teachers, members of the medical profession, businessmen, and company directors. 
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Philip’s experience and his ability to conduct both complex and heavyweight proceedings is well regarded by his peers where he is known for his creative approach combined with an excellent understanding and application of the law. The extensive experience Philip has gained working both as a Criminal Defence Solicitor and a Criminal Defence Barrister means his clients gain an exceptional approach to the work on their case. He is a strong team leader who is capable of providing the requisite analysis of a case, which often gives rise to successful submissions being put before the court both in writing and orally.

Philip is particularly well known for his ability to use his strong computer skills in the preparation and presentation of complex cases. Having worked on a large number of Very High Costs Cases (VHCC), which in some cases have involved the necessity to consider material in excess of 100,000 pages of used evidence, he has proved his ability to digest enormous amounts of material and present cases in a format easily understood by the jury.

Philip has undertaken a number of Police Disciplinary Hearings, where he has appeared on behalf of police officers at different levels from the disciplinary panel to Chief Constables and thereafter before the Police Appeals Tribunal. He is familiar with the workings of the Police National Computer (PNC) and has dealt with cases relating to data protection issues arising from the alleged misuse of the PNC.

Instruct a professional and let us take the stress out of the case.
The earlier you get a lawyer involved the better.
Just because you are innocent, does not mean you don't need legal advice.

Litigation

Litigation can be extremely complex. We're here to help you through it.

Philip now works in a dual capacity as an employed barrister with Wells Burcombe LLP, in addition to his independent status as a sole practitioner. This means Philip is able to conduct litigation on a legal aid basis, through Wells Burcombe LLP whilst also conducting advocacy on an independent basis through his own chambers. Philip is also authorised to conduct litigation as a barrister through his status as a sole practitioner, however, such work can only be carried out on a private paying basis. Costs may be reduced by working this way as it saves some duplication of work in appropriate cases. Please do not hesitate to contact him directly if you require advice about Criminal Litigation or Advocacy.
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Instruct a professional and let us take the stress out of the case.
The earlier you get a lawyer involved the better.
Just because you are innocent, does not mean you don't need legal advice.

Direct Access

You can instruct Mr Kazantzis directly

Philip is authorised to undertake Public Access work. Anyone can now go directly to a barrister without having to involve anyone else (e.g. a solicitor). The barrister's role remains essentially the same as when they are approached by a solicitor or another intermediary. Barristers can advise you on your legal status or rights.  Barristers can draft and send documents for you and can represent you in court, tribunals or mediations.  Barristers can also negotiate on your behalf and can attend employment or investigative interviews and hearings where appropriate.

For many cases the public access scheme allows you to go directly to the expert barrister for advice, representation and drafting. Please feel free to contact Philip for further information on Public Access. For further information please see the link below to the Bar Council website.:
Contact us Bar Council Public Access
Instruct a professional and let us take the stress out of the case.
The earlier you get a lawyer involved the better.
Just because you are innocent, does not mean you don't need legal advice.

Private Prosecutions

Philip works with a team of lawyers to conduct private prosecutions

Not only the State may bring a criminal prosecution under English law; private individuals and organisations may also bring a private prosecution.  This represents an important safeguard where the State has failed to act in prosecuting allegations of criminal behaviour. The right to bring private prosecutions is preserved by section 6(1) of the Prosecution of Offences Act (POA) 1985.
Philip Kazantzis works with a specialist team of lawyers who work together to bring private prosecutions.
There are many different reasons why the State may decide not to prosecute or investigate certain criminal offences.
The same procedural safeguards exist in private prosecutions as exist in criminal prosecutions brought by the State.  For example, the same prosecutorial test is applied as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).  Private prosecutions are privately funded but the complainant has options of cost recovery.  Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) proceedings after conviction are also available in private prosecutions and so if a complainant has suffered loss, there may be funds available to compensate them upon a successful prosecution. If there are insufficient funds to pay both a compensation order and a confiscation order, the court may direct that any payments towards the confiscation order be used to pay the compensation first.
The question of funding will no doubt be an issue when considering a private prosecution.  However, even if a private prosecution results in an acquittal, there can be recovery of legal costs from Central Funds i.e. the State. This is different from civil proceedings where generally the losing party pays most of the successful party’s legal costs.
Private prosecutions are commenced by presenting information at a Magistrates’ Court and requesting that a summons be issued.  More serious cases are then sent to the Crown Court where the defendant is arraigned and enters a plea. A trial then takes place in front of a jury.
The same disclosure requirements apply in private prosecutions. An independent disclosure lawyer is frequently appointed in place of what would normally be a task for a police officer working in conjunction with a reviewing CPS lawyer.
Private prosecutions are an important option available to people who have been defrauded, either as prosecutors or witnesses.
The full range from criminal activity may be prosecuted, ranging from harassment and sexual offences to bribery and fraud. Certain offences require the permission of the Attorney General or the Director of Private Prosecutions (DPP) before they are brought.
Certain offences which occur in other jurisdictions may be prosecuted in England, such as bribery, sexual offences and trafficking.
Crowd funding may be an option for private prosecutions that gain the interest of the general public.

Contact us Link to CPS Guidance
Instruct a professional and let us take the stress out of the case.
The earlier you get a lawyer involved the better.
Just because you are innocent, does not mean you don't need legal advice.

Confiscation, Proceeds of Crime, Forfeiture

You can instruct Mr Kazantzis to represent your third party interests

Philip has extensive experience in dealing with confiscation proceedings. Philip can advise you on any third party rights you may have in respect of proceedings faced by a defendant. The CPS website states “Confiscation is an essential tool in the prosecutor’s toolkit to deprive offenders of the proceeds of their criminal conduct; to deter the commission of further offences; and to reduce the profits available to fund further criminal enterprises.”

Where Orders are made after 1 June 2015, the Crown Court may determine the interest of third parties in any property that is jointly owned with the defendant. The Court must allow such persons a reasonable opportunity to make representations before it may exercise this power. A determination by the Crown Court under this power (s.10A of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002) is conclusive in relation to any question as to the extent of the defendant’s interest in the property that arises in connection with realisation of the property, or a transfer of an interest in the property, with a view to satisfying the confiscation order. It is therefore important to ensure your best representations are put before the Court for determination.

Such matters can often give rise to complex arguments regarding resulting trusts, where there has been single legal ownership or common intention trusts, where there is joint legal ownership. Questions of fact often arise as to the who and to what extent a beneficial interest may arise.

Contact us CPS Proceeds of Crime
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