Crime

Anyone facing the prospect of either a criminal investigation or criminal proceedings before the Court, either in the Magistrates Court or the Crown Court, needs to have immediate access to highly skilled and experienced expert defence lawyers. We understand the importance of dealing with the issues which may be crucial to our client’s case right from the outset. We respond immediately to our clients needs. We recognize the importance of communication with our clients and their families who will be very concerned as to the circumstances.

Our firm operates a 24 hour advice and assistance service to clients. We are therefore contactable at any time, day or night, weekends and holidays, so that we can provide the necessary representation to clients who are being investigated and interviewed by the Police, or other investigative authority, or who have to make a Court appearance in respect of criminal proceedings.

The firm provides advice and representation to clients throughout the country for all types of criminal proceedings, including those before the Magistrates Court, the Crown Court and the Court of Appeal.

This firm is repeatedly asked to assist clients who have already, at some time, during the course of an investigation or Court proceedings instructed Solicitors. We are used to dealing with such enquiries and advising as to the transfer of a case from previous Solicitors to this practice. It is important to those the subject of an investigation or prosecution, that they are confident in the Solicitors that they instruct and that they consider those that act for them are doing everything they possibly can to assist.

We offer free initial legal advice, either over the phone, via e-mail or face to face if required. Please contact us using the Contact Us link or by asking our solicitors a question using the simple form above. Our initial advice is free. You can also contact us via e-mail or by telephoning the FREEPHONE number 0800 988 5134.

Investigations

It is our experience that investigations into allegations of criminal conduct can often be extremely lengthy, detailed and complex, and sometimes running over the course of many years. This is particularly the case in relation to investigations into serious fraud conducted by the Serious Fraud Office, by specialist Police Fraud Departments, or into Revenue & VAT offences investigated by HM Revenue & Customs, or investigations conducted by the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

Experience has shown that providing specialist and considered advice during the course of such investigations may lead to resolution without charge, or alternatively, where criminal proceedings are commenced, clients are in a robust position to defend such proceedings because their interests have been protected and preserved from the earliest stage.

The adverse effect on an individual and their family of living through a lengthy and complex investigation can not be understated, and it is vital in our view, that professional expert advice and support is provided from the earliest point in time in such complex and difficult investigations.

Police Station Representations

It is everyone’s right to have legal advice and representation during the course of an investigation at a Police Station. There are occasions when investigations take place in other locations than a Police Station, for example, investigations conducted by the Department of Trade and Industry. We are available to provide advice and representation on a 24 hour basis to those under arrest, to those attending as volunteers and also to witnesses assisting the Police with their enquiries. Such representation is provided either under the Legal Aid Scheme, without cost to the individual concerned, or alternatively on a private fee paying basis.

Our firm operates a nationwide 24 hour freephone telephone advice service, and following initial contact via this service, representatives of the practice will attend to provide Police Station advice and representation to our clients.

Many of the firms solicitors are accredited Duty Solicitors. The firm also employs a number of highly experienced accredited Police Station representatives, qualified to provide such advice under the Legal Services Commission Accreditation Scheme.

Our legal representatives are highly trained and experienced and we ensure that they are kept up to date as to the changes and developments which occur in relation to legislation and Case Law which affect the provision of advice to clients the subject of an investigation.

Magistrates Court Representation

The firm represents clients in Magistrates Courts throughout England and Wales in all types of cases ranging from the most minor of motoring offences to the most serious of criminal charges. Cases of serious crime and commercial fraud will initially involve appearances before Magistrates Courts before moving to the Crown Court for trial.

We provide representation in respect of bail applications, guilty pleas and trials. The firm has a specialist and experienced team of Solicitor Advocates and in-house Counsel undertaking a substantial volume of cases before the Magistrates Court on a daily basis.

We undertake the detailed preparation and defence of cases before the Magistrates Court ensuring that we obtain our clients full instructions and pursue all lines of enquiry as to mitigation in support of guilty pleas and to obtain all relevant information from defence witnesses, including expert witnesses, in the defence of criminal trials.

Representation before the Magistrates Court is undertaken by the practice either under the Legal Aid Scheme or on a private fee paying basis. Means testing has been reintroduced in respect of eligibility for Legal Aid in Magistrates Court proceedings.

• Representation in all Magistrates Courts throughout England and Wales

• Costs met either through Legal Aid or on a private fee paying basis

• Representation for all types of offences before the Magistrates Court

Crown Court Representation

More serious offences are dealt with before the Crown Court, including all cases of serious crime and commercial fraud. The practice undertakes the detailed preparation of cases before the Crown Court, carefully assessing and considering the prosecution evidence in the form of witness statements and exhibits, and accessing appropriate and relevant unused material. We obtain our clients detailed instructions on the evidence and advise as to plea, mitigation in guilty pleas and the conduct of a trial in matters which are denied. The firm has an expert team of lawyers with many years experience who undertake this preparatory work.

The firm has a substantial team of Solicitor Advocates and in-house Counsel who represent clients before the Crown Court. The firm also instructs independent Barristers who are selected on the basis of their experience, dedication and commitment to the interests of our clients.

Cases before the Crown Court can take many months, and sometimes years, to reach a final resolution, and it is necessary to provide sympathetic advice and support to our clients and their families to assist them in confronting the very difficult issues which can arise in such circumstances.

• Representation before all Crown Courts throughout England and Wales

• Costs met either through Legal Aid or on a private fee paying basis

• Representation for all types of offences before the Crown Court

Legal Aid

Legal Aid is available to cover the costs of providing advice and representation in respect of advising at a Police Station. Legal Aid may be available to cover the costs of providing advice and representation at the Magistrates Court in relation to criminal prosecutions, subject to an individual’s means, and whether it is considered that the case merits the grant of Legal Aid.

Legal Aid representation before the Crown Court is not the subject of a means test, although the Court may make an Order under the Recovery of Defence Costs Orders where a guilty plea or conviction results. Because cases of a more serious nature come before the Crown Court, most cases are considered sufficiently serious to merit the grant of Legal Aid.

We assist clients in the completion of Legal Aid Applications and the provision of all necessary documentation in support of such applications, and where necessary, conduct appeals against the decision to refuse the grant of Legal Aid.

We will advise a client as to the likelihood of the grant of Legal Aid and any cost implications as to Recovery Orders. Where Legal Aid can not be obtained, we will provide a quotation for the cost of representation on a private fee paying basis.

Private Costs

It is a matter of choice to the individual as to whether they would wish to be represented under the Legal Aid Scheme, in circumstances where Legal Aid may be available, or whether they would wish to cover the costs of their representation on a private fee paying basis, provided they have sufficient means. Certain cases will not, in any event, attract the benefit of Legal Aid.

Where an individual wishes to instruct the firm on a private fee paying basis, we will provide an estimate of costs, including our charge-out rates, and estimates of costs will be up-dated on a periodic basis. Clients will be asked to provide payments on account, which payments will be held in client account until bills of costs are submitted.

We will discuss arrangements as to the discharge of costs in detail with our client, ensuring that the client is fully aware of all of the costs implications involved, including the cost of instructing Counsel, and where necessary, expert witnesses, and any other disbursement charges.