McCormicks Solicitors has added additional expertise to its expanding crime and fraud department.
Mark Fowler and Ismael Uddin (pictured, left and right) join the six members of the Harrogate-based law firm’s existing team, which has been recognised for its crime work in the latest edition of Chambers UK.
Fowler is a solicitor specialising in serious fraud, particularly tax fraud, and the proceeds of crime work connected to such cases.
He has been dealing with serious VAT fraud cases since the early 1990s, building extensive knowledge and expertise on the subject. He has experience of cases in all the main well-known areas of VAT fraud such as precious metals, smartphones, computer chips, scrap metal and the film industry.
Fowler has represented clients in many of the largest investigations and subsequent trials prosecuted by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and its predecessor.
He is currently working with other members of the McCormicks team on Operation Barbados, a complex offsetting fraud that has taken more than eight years to reach the courts and will take several more to reach a conclusion.
Uddin is a qualified barrister and police station representative with more than 24 years of experience in criminal and regulatory law.
He has been involved in prosecuting and defending cases for the government, public and private sector organisations, such as the Crown Prosecution Service, HMRC, and Environment Agency, but now exclusively defends in all cases.
Uddin has extensive knowledge of the mechanisms within the government such as investigations, sanctions, public policy, costs, and enforcement. He has experience of cases ranging from serious assaults, often dealing with domestic abuse and vulnerable victims, to complex frauds.
Partner Peter Minnikin, who leads the crime and fraud department at McCormicks, said: “We increasingly find ourselves dealing with highly complex and protracted cases, particularly in fraud, so the addition of Mark and Ismael to the team is very welcome.”
Image: McCormicks Solicitors
