Private prosecution of family member who forged mother’s will

April 14, 2023

Girish Patel, 71 was sentenced to five and half years imprisonment on 13 April after pleading guilty to fraudulently obtaining sole possession and control of various businesses and assets which formed part of his family’s business interests.

The attempts were ultimately foiled by other members of his family, who were forced to engage in world-wide litigation of up to £4.5 million to prevent him acquiring the assets in question. The private prosecution at Southwark Crown Court was brought by Prashant Patel, the son of the defendant’s eldest brother, Rajnikant Patel.

Girish Patel attempts include trying to take control of a family owned commercial property in Tooting London, valued at £44million. In addition, he forged his mother’s will, which he used in the High Court to prove his claim as a benefactor of her £39.95million estate. Expert document examiners gave evidence that the will was a forgery and not a genuine document.

He was disqualified from being a director for 10 years after pleading guilty to counts of fraud, forgery, perverting the course of justice and perjury between 2013 and 2015.

The trial marks the culmination of almost a decade’s efforts by the family.

RLC member Andrew Marshall is a founding director of Edmonds Marshall McMahon (EMM) solicitors: [EMM Legal]where he has a complementary practice in private prosecutions: [Andrew Marshall Profile ]

EMM were instructed to act for the family and instructed RLC members Gillian Jones KC  [Gillian Jones KC Profile] and Max Baines
[Max Baines Profile] who formed part of the Prosecution team.

As one of the leading Business Crime & Fraud Chambers in London and the South East, Red Lion Chambers has established a strong reputation for advising and acting on private prosecutions. With more than 70 years’ experience in some of the most significant Business Crime & Fraud private prosecutions, members of Red Lion Chambers are recognised widely as leaders in this fast growing field. Read more: [Private Prosecutions ]

News stories:

[Daily Mail]
[The Times]