Mike Sophocleous

Biography

Michael Sophocleous is a Solicitor and Partner in the Crime and Regulatory department. He has a wealth of experience, having defended in some of the most high profile and complex fraud and serious crime cases in recent legal history. After working for over a decade in the City of London, he relocated to the North West in 2010 where he retains a national and international client base.

Michael defends personal and business clients in the most serious criminal and regulatory investigations and prosecutions brought by: the Serious Fraud Office, HM Revenue & Customs, the National Crime Agency, the Financial Conduct Authority, Trading Standards, the Security Industry Authority and the Crown Prosecution Service Complex Casework Unit.

Having extensive experience defending large scale conspiracy to supply and money laundering cases, he has also developed his practice as a specialist in all aspects of the Proceeds of Crime Act from cash seizure and forfeiture in the Magistrates’ Court and confiscation in the Crown Court through to multi-jurisdictional civil recovery in the High Court.

Additionally, Michael advises businesses who are subject to HMRC investigations from first contact through to formal representation in Court and before the tribunal.

Elsewhere, he has a proven track record of success in defending some of the largest Security Industry Authority prosecutions and has advised some of the most prominent security companies in England and Wales on matters ranging from unlicensed guarding through to fraud and forgery allegations. He also defends RSPCA prosecutions and has acted for clients facing regulatory and criminal investigations under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act.

In recent years he has become a specialist in all aspects of motoring law from “totting up” to death by dangerous driving.

Career/case highlights

Serious Crime

R v Q & others – Acting for the first Defendant in trial two of a £billion drug importation. This trial was part of the longest series of trials ever heard before the Crown Courts of England and Wales. This second trial sat for almost 12 months with trial one sitting for over 15 months. The case was a VHCC complex case. The case involved complex issues surrounding disclosure, covert recording and “Encrochat” encryption. Pre-trial the Crown Court sitting in Manchester was also Judicially Reviewed regarding complex issues surrounding the extension of custody time limits.

R v C & C & others – Acting for two of the lead defendants in Operation Embossed, one of the leading “Encrochat” cases in the country. There was extensive legal argument regarding the legality of the data recovered from the “Encrochat” network. There were many other legal arguments including before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal. This required investigations and the taking of witness statements both here in the UK and in Dubai.

R v B – Acting for the Defendant in a 2-month trial concerning Conspiracy to Supply Firearms, Conspiracy to supply Class A, Money Laundering and assault.

R v J –Acting in the defence of a High-Risk category A prisoner alleged to have assaulted several prison officers whilst in custody. The case resulted in an acquittal after trial.

Fraud

R v C, P & X Ltd – Acting for the largest independent security company in South Wales along with the director and an employee of the business. The case concerned unlicensed guarding, fraud and forgery. There was a successful application to dismiss regarding the unlicenced guarding and following disclosure pressure applied by the defence the Security Industry Authority offered no evidence on the second day of trial for the fraud and forgery matters for all defendants.

R v LE & Others – Acting for a solicitor accused in a Serious Fraud Office investigation into the well publicised £120 million Axiom Legal Finance fraud. Following interview and representations no charges were brought against the client.

R v C & others – Prosecuted by the Serious Fraud Office, this matter concerned allegations of theft and fraud from an International Bank based in the City of London. After 3 months of a trial listed for 6 months and following cross–examination of the “star” witness a “goodyear” direction was sought which resulted in a favourable outcome for the Defendant.

R v A – Acting in the Defence of a 4-year prosecution by the then Department for Business Innovation and Skills. The case concerned allegations that an undischarged bankrupt was acting as a director and shadow director. Following lengthy and detailed defence investigations, a satisfactory conclusion was obtained for the Defendant who received a non-custodial sentence.

R v G – Prosecuted by the then Department for Business Innovation and Skills, this matter concerned allegations that an undischarged bankrupt was acting as a shadow director of a football league club. Following discussions between the parties a satisfactory outcome was achieved with the case resulting in a non-custodial sentence for the Defendant.

R v R – Acting for the Defendant following a 3-year inquiry into multiple mortgage frauds. Following disclosure of 3rd party material and pressure applied to the CPS by the Defence, the Prosecution offered no evidence against the Defendant one week before trial.

Confiscation / POCA / Civil Recovery/ Civil Litigation

R v P – An 8-year multi-million pound confiscation matter brought under the Drug Trafficking Act at the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey) which involved extensive liaison with a Management Receiver and later an Enforcement Receiver. The case concerned protracted complex legal argument regarding postponement of the proceedings.

R v P – Confisction proceedings bought under the Proceeds of Crime Act following a conviction in a drug importation exceeding £80 million in value. A management receiver was appointed to deal with defendant’s complex businesses and an available amount in excess £1million was identified. After lengthy negotiations the available amount was settled at £36,000.

R v W – Acting in a multi-million-pound Confiscation Hearing concerning a claim for “Hidden Assets” of over £1million which was successfully reduced to £75,000 following Defence submissions.

R v K – Acting in a multi-million-pound Confiscation Hearing following a private prosecution by Virgin Media. The case was settled at £100,000 following 3 days of negotiations with the Prosecution at Court.

SOCA v R – A £1.6 million civil recovery action brought by the then Serious Organised Crime Agency involving multi-jurisdictional investigations in Thailand, The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, The Republic of Cyprus and the UK. The client was in custody in the Republic of Cyprus and considerable time was spent there taking his instructions.

T v SE Ltd – Acting for the Claimant in a multi-million-pound claim in the Chancery Division of the High Court concerning property disputes and business agreements. The case was taken to trial.

GM v JJ (estate of) – Acting for a dental practice and its principal in a full investigation into the practice following allegations of fraud and misappropriation of client monies against the practice manager. This included reporting and liaison with the GDC, CQC and insurers. Following a full investigation a claim was made against the estate of the former practice manager which was favourably settled.