MSB sets up private prosecutions team and offers new funding model
Liverpool law firm’s newest department will be headed up by Jeremy Asher who has 21 years of experience in dealing with serious and high-profile cases
Liverpool law firm MSB has appointed an expert with more than two decades of experience to head up its new private prosecutions department.
MSB is offering an insurance-backed funding model that it says is designed specifically to help open up access to justice for businesses, shareholders and associated professionals who have become the victims of fraud.
The new service has been designed in response to the criticisms made against the Crown Prosecution Service, police and Action Fraud for their failure to prosecute in these circumstances.
Despite an increase in the number of crimes which damage corporate brand identity, Government is reluctant to pursue such criminal acts. Fraud, offences in relation to brand protection, and cybercrime, have increased significantly, with reports suggesting that fraud now costs the UK economy as much as £190bn a year.
This has resulted in numerous private prosecutions being brought by businesses and individuals unable to access justice where the police and other criminal enforcement agencies have taken no action.
Regulatory specialist Jeremy Asher, who will lead the private prosecutions team, brings to MSB 21 years of experience in dealing with serious and high-profile cases. He formerly developed and led a top 100 national law firm’s fraud and business crime department, which was top-ranked by Legal500.
He said: “Among the many benefits of bringing a private prosecution are control, speed and the ability for clients to choose their team. The criminal law also gives victims access to hard-hitting measures, such as imprisonment and confiscation proceedings.
“We know that for many businesses, funding can be a challenge when it comes to private prosecutions, which is why we are proud to be able to make available this unique insurance backed product, allowing us, in the right circumstances for commercial victims of fraud, to provide clients with the service they need.”