Criminal Defence Lawyers

We’ve been in lots of courtrooms, and we understand how confusing and frightening being charged can be.

Our role is to protect your best interests throughout your case, from the moment of arrest, through your court hearings, and onto appeal if we think it’s possible.

We’ve spent decades successfully defending clients against charges brought by:

• Police Fraud Squads and Economic Crime Units
• City of London Police
• Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) – now the National Crime Agency (NCA)
• British Transport Police (BTP)
• HM Revenue & Customs
• Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS)
• Ministry of Defence (MOD)
• Federation Against Copyright & Software Theft (FACT)
• Transport for London (TFL)

When we need to, we work with our Public Law & Human Rights team to help you deal with police misconduct or prison law.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding has become a popular way for people to gain financial support for legal issues. A number of online platforms specialise in crowdfunding, where friends, family and members of the public can help you raise funds. When using these platforms you need to explain why you need legal advice and you also need to have a costs estimate from your solicitor. This will help both you and your crowd-funders know how much you are likely to need.

Legal expenses insurance

In certain cases, your home insurance or banking may include legal expenses insurance and may provide funding for your legal expenses. You should check directly with your insurer to find out if this is the case.

Paying privately

You can pay privately for legal advice and representation. Every case is different, which is why we are here to walk you through all the options that are available to you. We aim to offer a transparent service throughout your case, giving you a clear upfront cost and updating you regularly as the case progresses.

We are unable to take legal aid cases in criminal law but may be able to with Human Rights issues, we will assess your situation and provide advice on how best to fund your case. You can check how to get legal aid and criminal legal aid through the Legal Aid Agency (LAA).

When you find yourself at the centre of a criminal case, the first thing you should do is give us a call. Our experienced lawyers will provide clear, straightforward and professional advice, and when the time comes, will fight fearlessly to protect your best interests.

We can help with cases involving:

• Serious fraud
• Tax evasion
• Theft
• Violent assaults
• Sexual offences
• Money laundering
• Drugs crimes
• Traffic offences.

If you have been convicted of a crime, it might be possible to appeal against your sentence or conviction. This could be done by finding new evidence, or by arguing that the decision was unfair or unreasonable. It could even be argued that the law itself was wrong or at least that it was badly applied to the facts of your case.

Making an “appeal” means returning to court, usually with a lawyer, to try and change the outcome of your trial.

If you pleaded guilty, you can still appeal for more lenient sentencing (punishment).

If you pleaded not guilty, you can appeal your sentencing and conviction. In the best case scenario, your conviction could be overturned, leading you back to a normal life and a bright future.

We can help you:

• Understand whether an appeal might work or not
• Submit new evidence that may help clear your name
• Argue the way the law was applied to your case was wrong
• Ask for your assets to be given back, or confiscation orders to be cancelled
• Escalate a case from Magistrates’ Court to the Crown Court and then to the Court of Appeal.

If a decision isn’t reached through these courts, it can go to the Criminal Cases Review Commission, the European Court of Human Rights, or all the way to the UK Supreme Court. As you can imagine, lots of work goes into creating a solid, believable appeal.

If we think a better outcome for your situation is at all possible, we’ll fight for your right to appeal.

Being caught up in a criminal investigation or litigation overseas gets overwhelming fast.

It’s sometimes harder to understand the charge, get the facts on your case, or know your rights.

You might be facing extradition or involved in “international mutual assistance” – where you are asked to give evidence or information for a court case in another country.

Either way, two things can make the process less painful: expert legal guidance, and a firm with connections in the country you are dealing with.