Fraud can affect any business or organisation. Insurers often cover such losses but many are self-insured. We represent insurers, businesses, public sector bodies and intermediaries in investigating, defending and prosecuting fraudulent claims.
We combine our legal expertise with in-house intelligence capability and the forensic know-how of trusted specialists. We advise insurers on policy coverage and validate suspect claims, but where fraud is identified, robustly challenge and defend claims, through litigation where necessary.
Our success lies in our tried and tested strategy, which leads to early strike out, discontinuances, or findings of fundamental dishonesty saving clients millions of pounds and allowing them to recover their costs.
Where insurers’ decisions are challenged through the Financial Ombudsman Service we assist and represent insurers’ interests in defending their decisions.
Where claimants don’t recognise the error of their ways, prosecution is the only deterrent. We’ve secured the convictions of many parties who have abused the Court process to further their false and misleading claims, leading to prison sentences, criminal records and significant costs orders.
We operate nationally across all five UK offices and have experience in fraudulent claims including financial loss, cyber-attacks, arson, theft, property damage, clinical negligence and personal injury.
Secured a custodial sentence and the prosecution of a patient of an NHS Trust who alleged she’d suffered significant disability as a result of unnecessary surgery, leading to bringing a false dishonest claim valued at £2.5m. The claim was successfully defended with no payment in compensation.
Obtained a finding of fundamental dishonesty against a man who alleged he’d sustained an injury whilst running due to a defect in the footpath. The grossly exaggerated claim was dismissed, and he was ordered to pay costs following a finding of fundamental dishonesty. He was successfully prosecuted and given a suspected custodial sentence.
Defended a challenge to repudiation by insurer of a high-value vehicle theft claim with the Financial Ombudsman leading to significant savings.
Secured a third party costs order against a law firm which handled false claims, and was accused of forging medical reports and perverting the course of justice.
I have worked with Browne Jacobson for several years now on one of the most complex cases my firm has ever handled. They have been fantastic-they have shown unwavering dedication to the case, to the point that I often feel (probably to their chagrin) as if we are their only client and/or they are a part of our firm, so seamless is the transition of work product back and forth.
Once we flagged two claims as potentially fraudulent they acted quickly, securing intel and enabling us to fight the case. Convictions have also been pursued via private prosecution.
It is clear that the digital landscape, often termed cyberspace, is a man-made environment, in which human behaviour dominates and where technology both influences and aids our role in it — through the internet, telecoms and networked computer systems, which are often interdependent. The extent to which any organisation is potentially vulnerable to cyber-attack depends on how well these elements are aligned.
The majority of people do not feel the need to embellish their CV to get that coveted position and move on up the career ladder. Their worthiness and benefit to the hiring organisation are easily demonstrated through the recruitment process – application, psychometric testing, selection day or interview.
On 7 July this year, NHS England published its statutory guidance for Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and with it set out the ICBs’ role and responsibilities and how they should collaborate, interact and carry out their anti-fraud, bribery and corruption functions in concert with NHS England.
Payment systems across Europe are under increased pressure to mitigate fraud risks and defend against persistent attacks from enablers using ever more sophisticated and malicious viruses and malware.
Contingent loss is relevant to limitation; specifically, the date at which a claimant’s cause of action accrues for the purposes of a claim in the tort of negligence (as many claims against professional advisers are framed).
On 16 July 2019 the Serious Fraud Office released details of the Deferred Prosecution Agreement reached with Sarclad Ltd in July 2016.
In one of the most significant fraud findings for the NHS, Lesley Elder, 51, was handed a 5-month custodial sentence for contempt of court for dishonestly claiming in excess of £2.3 million in compensation.
