Are you the subject of a criminal investigation or charged with a criminal offence?

This practice can provide can  provide expert  criminal defence advice to you if you are the subject of a criminal investigation and expert defence representation in court proceedings before Magistrates’ and Crown Courts throughout the country.  We provide these services throughout England and Wales through our offices in Manchester, Birmingham, Salford, Sale, Knutsford and Bolton.

The firm has a significant reputation for the tenacious defence of cases of serious crime and commercial fraud.

We provide free initial legal advice, either over the telephone or via e-mail or in a face to face interview. 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, text message or by telephoning the FREEPHONE number 0800 988 5124.  We will normally get back to you within hours of your contact.

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.

Once we have identified the nature of your enquiry, and the assistance that we will be able to provide we will discuss with you whether our further assistance beyond the free initial advice can be covered in terms of costs through the Legal Aid Scheme or whether this is a matter which will result in your wishing to pay privately for our services.

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 our client as to the likelihood of the grant of Legal Aid and any cost implications as to recovery of Defence Costs 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.

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