National Crime Agency (NCA) Lawyers

If you require legal advice and representation in respect of actions taken by the National Crime Agency (NCA), contact JMW today. Our NCA specialist lawyers have extensive experience representing individuals and businesses facing investigation. NCA investigations are by their nature complex and will always involve allegations of serious criminal activity, such as money laundering, fraud, bribery, and associated organised crime activities.

Whether you are under investigation, subject to a Production Order or an Unexplained Wealth Order, or facing a civil recovery claim, our NCA lawyers from the very outset provide expert strategic advice at the investigation stage, which is crucial given the complex and international nature of such alleged criminal activity, and will have a direct bearing if matters proceed to court.
Find out more about how we can help by getting in touch today. Our team includes NCA civil recovery specialists and our experience mixed with our expertise in this area can give you the best chance of securing a favourable outcome. Call us on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form and we will call you back as soon as possible.

How JMW Can Help

The NCA is the UK’s largest enforcement agency. It brings both criminal prosecutions and civil action with the aim of tackling organised crime and bringing to justice those who present the highest risks to the UK and the general public. The NCA works closely with international law enforcement, including Interpol, to investigate offences and relies on specialist trained officers to conduct the work police forces cannot. As such, investigations conducted by the NCA can be complex, and demand a strong legal defence.
If you have been incorrectly accused of wrongdoing by the NCA you will require an experienced legal team to help you successfully defend the charges. Legal expertise can also help to ensure that any punishment you receive is no harsher than necessary. JMW’s team has a track record of success in defending individuals and organisations in these cases.

If you have been contacted by the NCA as a witness or are a suspect under investigation, early legal advice is essential. As the NCA has wide-ranging powers from; freezing assets to applying for Unexplained Wealth Orders and Production Orders to the service of Interpol Red Notices. A failure to proactively respond to these scenarios can and does have serious consequences.

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What Types of Serious Crime Does the NCA Investigate?

The NCA is responsible for tackling serious and organised crime, but its remit covers a wide range of offences and includes activities that often cross regional and international borders. The main types of activities the NCA investigates include:

Organised crime groups

The NCA targets high-level organised crime groups involved in large-scale drug trafficking, firearms smuggling, people smuggling and modern slavery. The organisation's focus is on live investigations into criminal networks rather than low-level offenders.

Drug trafficking

The agency investigates the importation, production and large-scale supply of illegal drugs, and works with international partners to disrupt supply chains.

Firearms

The agency targets the illegal importation, supply and use of firearms that support organised crime and violence.

Economic and financial crime

This includes large-scale fraud, money laundering, corruption and bribery. The NCA often investigates financial networks used to move and conceal criminal profits, and may try to recover funds through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Child sexual abuse and exploitation

Through its Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command, the NCA tackles online grooming, the distribution of indecent images and the organised sexual abuse of children.

Cybercrime

The NCA investigates serious cybercrime, such as hacking, large-scale data breaches, ransomware and attacks on national infrastructure, particularly where organised crime groups are involved.

Civil Recovery Defence

The NCA can pursue civil recovery proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to seize assets they believe are the proceeds of unlawful conduct even without a criminal conviction.

Our civil recovery defence lawyers are experts in challenging these actions and helping clients to protect their assets. We can:

• Challenge the legal and evidential basis of recovery applications
• Negotiate settlements and asset release
• Represent you in the High Court for civil recovery hearings
• Advise on parallel criminal or regulatory investigations

Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs)

An Unexplained Wealth Order allows the NCA to compel individuals to explain how they acquired certain assets, such as property, if the source of funds appears inconsistent with their known income. Our NCA lawyers have significant experience defending against UWOs, particularly those involving complex corporate, offshore, or international structures. 

Arrest Warrants

The NCA often works with Interpol and other foreign agencies in cases with cross-border elements. You may become the subject of a Red Notice, diffusion, or extradition request. Our NCA lawyers can provide discreet and strategic representation to:

• Challenge the validity of Interpol notices
• Seek their removal or modification
• Advise on extradition risks and international cooperation

Production Orders and Disclosure Requests

The NCA can apply to the court for production orders to compel individuals, professionals, or financial institutions to hand over documents or information. Our NCA lawyers can:

• Advise on the scope and legality of production orders
• Challenge unlawful or overreaching requests
• Ensure compliance while protecting your legal rights and confidentiality

If you are suspected of or under investigation for any of these offences, JMW can offer bespoke advice about your legal challenges aimed at securing the best possible outcome. Our criminal defence department contributes directly to building your defence, from representing you in interviews with NCA officers or the police, through to representation in court if necessary. Our civil recovery investigation defence solicitors know how to deliver the best possible outcome.

Why Choose JMW?

Any offence that involves the NCA is likely to be very serious, as the organisation works alongside police forces and other government departments to investigate serious and organised criminal activity. As such, if you have been pursued by NCA officers, you will require expert legal assistance to have a chance of either avoiding or minimising the punishment you could face. At JMW, we have experience in helping those targeted by the NCA and can provide the legal advice and guidance you need at what can be a very difficult time.

JMW's civil recovery defence experts can help both individuals and businesses of any size and in any sector, to defend against allegations of wrongdoing. Our solicitors will work alongside you throughout your case, offering support at every stage. JMW's experience with the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 means we can represent you in recovery proceedings, restore access to seized assets and offer litigation support during criminal or civil actions taken against you. Our solicitors are committed to standing by your side throughout the process.