The civil/criminal line is thinner than elsewhere
In several situations — a bounced cheque, an alleged breach of trust, an unpaid debt — a dispute you thought was commercial can give rise to a criminal complaint and, sometimes, a travel ban.
The travel ban: a formidable lever
The order preventing you from leaving the country is used as pressure. Lifting it requires a strategy that addresses the criminal and the underlying financial sides at once.
Why early intervention materially affects the options available
In criminal matters, responsiveness comes first. A summons, a complaint or an arrest call for an immediate defence, not an appointment the following week.
Prevention through the contract
Many of these situations trace back to a poorly drafted contract or a badly framed security cheque. The best criminal defence often begins at the contract negotiation table.
This is work Prosilame handles: reacting when a commercial dispute turns criminal.
This article is general information and does not constitute legal advice. Each situation calls for its own analysis.