Fraud in academy trusts and schools
When it comes to fraud, prevention is better than cure. Fostering a culture where fraud is not tolerated, through robust policies and supported training, means that if and when it does arise, it’s handled with the least amount of disruption and reputational harm.
Fraud can occur in any organisation or business. Early involvement of your legal team to evaluate any potential fraud risk can help define your strategy and approach to investigations, and ultimately save you money.
We help uncover fraud, manage investigations, and offer advice on prevention and recovery. If fraud is being perpetrated by employees, our employment specialists will advise on the best course of action.
Regulators require early notification and disclosure of fraud, whether it causes a loss or not. We can help senior teams navigate the early stages of investigations, collate and preserve evidence and help prevent intrusive external scrutiny and also prepare for referrals to law enforcement or seek recovery of losses.
Our expert team has experience with drafting whistleblowing, gifts and hospitality, anti-fraud and bribery policies to reflect the potential exposure of your organisation, to identify areas of risk and ensure the appropriate strategies are adopted to minimise losses.
We ensure you get the best team to handle your issue, with specialist advisors across employment, intelligence and litigation to cover all potential angles of an investigation.
What we do...
- Conducting independent privileged investigations and providing legal advice on regulatory implications for the organisation.
- Recovery of losses by civil fraud litigation (including freezing orders).
- Advising on fraud, whistleblowing, anti-fraud, bribery, and gifts and hospitality policies.
- Managing your disciplinary procedures, help manage reputational risks and notifying law enforcement or regulators on your behalf.
- Conducting litigation to secure assets, prevent further losses and effect recoveries.
Related expertise
Key contacts
Paul Wainwright
Partner
Herjit Khinda
Legal Director
Testimonials
"Willing to work differently with in house teams – genuinely collaborative in approach, willing to be flexible and think outside the box when trying to fix issues from live casework to recruitment and development of staff. They can work like an extension of the in house team – a much needed distinguishing factor as against their peers in the market."
"They are effective, efficient and user-friendly."
"The team is reliable and extremely responsive," remarks one client, who adds: "They are the best in the business and their reputation is well deserved."
"The team provides a brilliant service and has a thorough knowledge of the sector."
You may be interested in...
Legal Update
Cyber security and data breaches
Press Release
Law firm picks up record breaking sixth Education Investor Award
Browne Jacobson’s education team has been named as winner of the ‘Legal Advisors to Education Institutions’ category at the Education Investor Awards 2022 for a record sixth time.
Press Release
Thousands take part in virtual careers event to help increase diversity in the legal profession
Over 3000 young people from across the UK and Ireland took part in a virtual legal careers insight event, aimed at making the legal profession more diverse.
Legal Update
Browne Jacobson’s market leading Education expertise recognised again in latest Legal 500 rankings
The new set of Legal 500 directory rankings have been published and we are proud to once again be recognised as one of the country’s leading firms advising the Education sector.
Legal Update
Fraud – why it pays to be vigilant
Financial crime is an increasing threat to all organisations. The modes of facilitating fraud have become easier. Being a victim of fraud as an organisation risks significant financial consequences, but also serious reputational harm and loss of stakeholder confidence.
Press Release
Browne Jacobson’s C-suite exec level coaching team appoints two new education specialists
National law firm Browne Jacobson has grown its team behind its dedicated Space + Time executive coaching programme with the addition of two more qualified coaches who will work with clients in the education sector.
Opinion
Payment Fraud landscape shaped by technology in 2021
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.
Press Release
Browne Jacobson hosts UK’s largest virtual legal careers event to boost access to careers in law
Press Release
New benchmarking service now available to guide the remuneration of school trust executive teams
The Confederation of School Trusts (CST), as the sector body for School Trusts, today releases a salary benchmarking service for executive roles in School Trusts, in conjunction with partners XpertHR, Cendex and Browne Jacobson.