Bamidele Bodede (Bob)

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In 1993 Bob joined HM Customs & Excise whilst studying Law at Thames Valley University. He wanted a career in law but also an experience in law enforcement/investigation. He then joined the Anti-smuggling division as a customs officer in 1996 on promotion. On graduating, he joined the Revenue & Customs Prosecution Office (RCPO) as a case manager. RCPO was established by the Commissioners for Revenue and Customs Act 2005 as a specialist and independent government department. The department is responsible for carrying out criminal prosecutions for HMRC and SOCA case. It was a huge change for Bob moving from predominantly investigation to managing cases. It was also a fantastic opportunity for Bob to experience a different lifestyle and the opportunity to secure a training contract.

As a case manager, he was given a lot of responsibility, working in areas of crime including the full range of fraud, money laundering, dishonesty, excise and drugs offences. He had a heavy work load but one that put him in good stead for the challenges ahead. In 2010 the DPP merged HMRC with CPS and Bob was assigned to the specialist fraud division of the CPS. He was placed in a team dealing with the most complex VAT and MTIC investigations whilst undergoing the CILEX and PSC qualifications with a view to qualifying as a solicitor.

He then joined the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in 2015 as an investigative lawyer working with a multidisciplinary team of case controllers, lawyers, accountants and investigators prosecuting complex top-tier fraud cases in particular LIBOR. One power unique to the SFO is enshrined in section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987, which compels individuals to answer questions and/or produce material.

In 2019 Bob joined Hatten Wyatt Solicitors & Advocates defending clients at the police station and court for offences such as motoring offences, domestic violence cases, sexual offences and Fraud. Part of his role was developing innovative ways to achieve competitive advantage and profitability by working with all the partners where appropriate to explore opportunities to improve process, communication and speed of service delivery. He then joined THB Solicitors in 2021.

Legal Area of Expertise

• Criminal Law
• Qualified: 2013

Qualifications

• Law Degree from Thames Valley University 1999
• Legal Practice Course from London Metropolitan University 2001
• Chartered Institute of Legal Executives 2012
• Duty solicitor of the Magistrates Court and Police Station
• Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme 2019
  

Specialist Areas

• Advocacy
• Corporate Crime
• Crown Court
• Fraud
• Magistrates’ Court
• Military Law
• Police Station Representation
• Private Representation
• Driving Offences
• Sexual Offences
• Youth Court

Expertise

• Experience across investigation, case management and advocacy from HM Customs & Excise, RCPO, CPS and SFO
  
• Extensive background in fraud, money laundering, dishonesty, excise and drugs offences
  
• Experience defending clients in motoring offences, domestic violence cases, sexual offences and Fraud
  
• Experience developing innovative ways to improve process, communication and service delivery
  

Memberships

• Law Society
• FCILEX
• SRA

Why Clients Choose Bob

• Bob has a vast experience of the Criminal Justice System, having worked for the prosecution and defence
  
• He has experience in representing clients at police stations and defending them in the Magistrates and Youth Courts, either at their first appearance or trial
  
• Bob is also experienced in representing Federation cases in interviews under caution and in court
  
• From the outset, he will fully advise you regarding the allegation you face, the elements of the offence and potential defence, as well as the significance of responding to questions in interview or pleas at court during your first appearance
  
• Bob is able to represent you either as a legal aid-funded client or a private fee-paying client
  

Strategic Approach

Bob is the author of the book titled Chess & Criminal Trials. He is well known for his analytical thinking in ensuring successful outcomes when making representation to avoid charges being placed before the courts. For example, he considers the statutory time limit and previous convictions of clients prior to approaching the prosecution for an out-of-court settlement.

Recent Key Case Highlights

• R v W – Police representation for Murder; the outcome was no further action
• R v M – Acquittal at trial for Arson
• R v H – Persuaded the court to impose a financial penalty for a sexual assault offence on an emergency worker, which had a starting point ofa  high-level community order
• FED interview for possession, making and distributing indecent images; the outcome was no further action
• R v B – Acquittal at trial for Domestic Assault
  

Other Interests

Playing chess, watching football, and doing voluntary work for Charity.