Evan represents professional and commercial clients before regulatory panels and in the related courts. He is highly regarded for his detailed preparation and understanding of issues faced by clients who are alleged to have breached professional standards and regulations, including fitness to practice issues. Clients include solicitors, medical practitioners, politicians, accountants, architects, senior directors and sports professionals.
He has been listed as a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500 UK and has been described as ‘superb; always goes that extra mile for his clients and is always well prepared and a 'superb strategist'.
Evan also supervises colleagues in cases across the regulatory spectrum:
Evan Wright represents businesses and families at inquests, particularly in the healthcare sector. Evan also represents at inquests arising from incidents at work or road traffic accidents. His experience in criminal defence and professional fitness to practise proceedings gives Evan a good understanding of terminology and processes arising in evidence at the Coroners Court.
Evan has represented at inquests involving – deaths at care homes, hospitals, office premises, in police custody and other settings where the State owe the relevant person a duty of care. Instructions often relate to personal injury, clinical negligence and criminal cases such as gross negligence manslaughter. Some involve questions of suicide or maladministration of medication. See the Notable Cases below for examples of Evan’s representation at inquests. Also see Evan’s article on What to expect from a lawyer at the Coroner’s Court.
Private Client Defence and Regulation
Evan is a partner in the Business Crime and Regulation team. He qualified as a solicitor in 1997 after working for five years as a clerk in the defence and prosecution of serious fraud cases.
The legal directory Legal 500 comments that 'The "careful and thorough" Evan Wright is recommended for complex financial crime work'.
Evan has been instructed to defend in a great many serious fraud, restraint, asset recovery and confiscation cases in the UK and abroad.
He is highly regarded by forensic accountants who have described him as ‘having a rare ability to grasp the central issue when faced with complicated scenarios’. He has represented clients in many of the largest cases prosecuted in the North West and some of the largest cases nationally. These include matters brought by HM Revenue and Customs, The Crown Prosecution Service, The Serious and Organised Crime Agency, SFO, The DTI / DBIS / BEIS, MHRA and Border Agency.
Evan’s skill in large investigations has seen him instructed in complex SFO cases and defending important matters before the various Tribunals. His portfolio of corporate regulatory instructions includes £multi-million cases before the 1st Tier Tribunal and serious FCA investigations.
Evan presents seminars to other solicitors, barristers and corporate clients on his specialist topics. He has featured regularly in TV, radio and national press coverage commenting on regulatory issues. He specialist input is often sought by lawyers in other departments at JMW.
Memberships:
North West Fraud Forum
Civil Mediation Council - Registered Civil and Commercial Mediator
I just wanted to say thank you once again for being there for us when we really needed someone to be in our corner with us. It was one of the most scary times in our lives but a weight was definitely lifted once you became involved. I sincerely hope we never need such a service again (!) but if we do, we know where to come.
Evan was very professional and knows his stuff. Top quality
Evan Wright is the best solicitor that I have ever come across, so thorough and an amazing human. Cares for his clients and goes the extra mile
Needless to say, we are very grateful indeed for the excellent counsel and support you've provided us throughout.
Based on our very positive experience, we will have no hesitation in recommending you and your firm to others.
Thank you for your work to get this varied as requested. I am so happy that this has now been resolved and can look forward to having a better life.
Notable cases
Professional Regulatory Defence
Defence of SDT Prosecution of a firm alleged to have permitted an agency to carry out regulated work without due supervision.
Defending dentists, pharmacists, doctors, accountants and other professionals in applications for interim suspension.
Defending firms of solicitors alleged to have acted unlawfully in relation to fractional sales contracts.
Advising a group of pharmacies in MHRA and GPhC investigations into serious breaches of licence.
Representing children’s nurseries in opposing OFSTED suspension and Local Authority investigations into safeguarding issues.
Advising a Local Authority solicitor in a large police investigation into property development.
Defending solicitors and other professionals involved in unregulated collective investment schemes.
A CQC investigation into clinical services offered by a well-known TV celebrity.
Defence of SDT prosecution of solicitors following the collapse of a £50 million property development project.
Defending multiple solicitors at the SDT in accounts rules prosecutions.
Defending an off-shore company in an FCA investigation into alleged breaches of S19 and 21 FSMA
Doctor involved in a corporate manslaughter investigation following a death in custody.
SRA prosecutions of alleged breaches of the referral fee ban
General Dental Council (GDC) public enquiry: performance and conduct
Multi-million pound importation of pharmaceuticals from China in contravention of licence
HMRC Defence
Representing six companies in an HMRC investigation into an alleged loss of £16 million.