Criminal Law

Defending Clients Facing Criminal Charges For Over 35 Years.

Based at our Acre Lane offices, our aim is to defend the interests of people charged with any criminal offence and to protect their inherent civil liberties and human rights. Whatever the allegation, we will provide you with representation of the highest quality.

We will assist with every stage of a case, from representation at the police station through to the Magistrates’ Court, the Crown Court, and where necessary also the Court of Appeal. As well as all common offences such as theft, possession or supply of drugs, road traffic offences, burglary, robbery, criminal damage, assault, and so on, we also have experience of more complex matters such as sexual offences, grievous bodily harm, murder, complex fraud, confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, and much more.

We undertake many types of work in this area including:

• Fraud Allegations: Including Money Laundering, Car "Ringing"; Online/ Cybercrime, Benefit Fraud, Embezzlement and Identity Theft and Allegations of theft from an employer or public body.
   
• Violence Crimes Allegations: Including Murder, Manslaughter, ABH (Actual Bodily Harm), GBH (Grievous Bodily Harm), Assault and kidnapping.
   
• Fire Arms Allegations: Including of possession of offensive weapons plus conspiracy to supply firearms and armed robbery.
   
• Drugs Related Crime: From large scale cross-border importation and supply cases to possession of small quantities of illicit drugs.
   
• Robbery and Theft: Breaking and Entry, Taking and driving away, armed Robbery, Robbery with a offensive weapon and shoplifting.
   
• Public Order Offences. Treat of Violence, Harassment, Rioting, criminal damages, destruction of property, and allegations of anti-social behaviour.
   
• Road Traffic: Including allegations of causing death by dangerous driving.
   
• Sexual Allegations: Sexual Abuse including serious sexual offences such as rape, sexual assault, and allegations of possession of indecent images.

We provide robust representation to those accused or charged with any crime and will always push for the very best result for every client. Our team has considerable experience across the whole range of criminal litigation, from minor crimes through to the most serious allegations.

We have a strong track record of looking after the rights of vulnerable clients, including young people, clients with mental health difficulties, and those facing charges that could damage their professional and personal reputations. We know that being accused of a criminal offence can be a very stressful time both for yourself and your loved ones, and so we always strive to make the process as easy as possible.

Criminal law is one of the most complex areas of law, and it is constantly changing. As such, we recommend that you seek out an experienced team of skilled experts instead of going into court alone. This will help ease the burden and lessen the anxiety of navigating through the obstacle course that is the criminal justice system.

Our Criminal team was recognised for excellence by Legal 500 2016. We aim at all times to obtain the best possible outcomes for our clients. Instructing our criminal solicitors ensures that your rights will be protected and that you will receive sound and easy to understand advice from the beginning to the end of your matter.

Advocacy

We have a talented team of in-house barristers and higher rights advocates with experience of countless cases in all courts from tribunals to the Court of Appeal. This means that our clients have immediate access to expert guidance from seasoned advocates at all stages of proceedings. This includes during investigation prior to charge, during the first steps in court, fighting trials or where our clients are considering an appeal. Our file managers and case workers can obtain strategic and tactical advice swiftly to take every opportunity to ensure our clients’ interests are best protected and their cases promoted to the maximum.

In particular our advocates are experienced in handling complex cases and those involving vulnerable or very young clients or witnesses. Our advocates are also provide training and developmental advice and support to our practice teams and are available to assist with educational needs and continuing professional development externally. So while we will always aim to find the right advocate for each client, we are assured we have, in-house, the experience and ability within the firm to cover the needs of the overwhelming majority of clients.

Very High Cost Crime and Serious Fraud

The firm is a member of both the Very High Cost Crime (VHCC) Panel and the Serious Fraud Panel. We have developed a reputation for successfully undertaking the most complex criminal cases including international money laundering, international drug supply, global investment fraud, murder and commercial fraud. The team are led by Managing Partner Andrew Wainwright and Senior in-House Counsel Rod Jones.

Extradition

We have considerable experience in representing clients resisting extradition requests from all over the world. Working closely with top sets of London barristers, we have protected clients’ rights in the City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court and the High Court.

We specialise in human rights law and interpreting international treaty obligations.