Top Criminal Law Solicitors, Lawyers And Firms In The UK
Whether you need a defence or prosecution lawyer, it’s vital to know in advance the people with proven track records of success. At Top Lawyers, we list the sharpest legal minds in the business and award those who really excel at helping their clients. In this guide, we review the top criminal lawyers in the UK at the moment.
Below, we showcase the individual leaders in criminal law, as well as details on the top law firms striving for excellence in criminal cases today.
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The Top Criminal Lawyers And Solicitors In The UK
In the midst of a criminal case, your attention is undoubtedly focused on a resolution as soon as possible. Getting justice becomes imperative, so who are the individuals recognised as top criminal lawyers in the UK today that could help?
Here’s an overview of the top 4 criminal lawyers leading the field right now:
Tayab Ali
Partner at Bindmans’s, Tayab Ali’s expertise covers crime, fraud, and diplomatic and international issues among other areas. His counsel is regularly sought in both civil and criminal matters in the UK and worldwide. He has excelled at protecting the reputations of high-net-worth clients against false accusation claims and criminal allegations.
More than capable of handling complex criminal trials with his two decades of experience, Tayab has successfully defended clients in the Supreme Court, United Nations and the Court of Human Rights.
In addition to this, such is his solid grasp of the law, he has presented evidence on behalf of clients to the Parliamentary Select Committee and advised numerous political figures in the course of his work and career.
Giles Bark-Jones
Giles Bark-Jones has been the ‘go-to’ top criminal lawyer in some of the highest white-collar fraud and criminal cases of recent years.
His impressive expertise includes representing notable clients such as HMRC, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Giles played a key role in the ‘biggest case ever’ involving carbon trading fraud as well as clinching an appeal against a £60 million tax and alcohol evasion case.
Qualifying as a barrister in 1990, he cut his teeth at the bar between 1990 and96 before converting to one of the highest regarded solicitors working in the UK. A formidable presence and an exemplary top criminal lawyer.
Robert Berg
Robert Berg’s area of expertise is crime and his unparalleled reputation includes heavy-weight areas such as fraud, drug trafficking, murder and money laundering. He has successfully defended numerous high-profile clients and has been instructed in major fraud and international bribery cases of the most sensitive nature.
Currently working with the French Police after the recovery of a hoard of ancient gold coins, Robert Berg’s renowned integrity and commitment to clients keep him in constant demand. Such is his dynamic and exacting 40-year expertise, he is frequently asked to advise on precise criminal details for TV dramas such as ‘Line of Duty’.
Raj Chada
On the cusp of being a household name, Raj has represented some of the most high-profile criminal cases in the UK today. Serious and complex crime, along with public order and financial crime are his principal areas of expertise.
He also holds expertise in bribery and corruption and is one of just a few human rights specialists in the UK today.
This enables him to take on cases that might also involve a political dimension and this has led to him being in demand as a regular commentator on the BBC, Channel 4 and Sky News media platforms.
His book ‘Bribery Handbook’ is essential reading in the industry. A partner at Hodge, Jones & Allen, Raj Chada won the Criminal Lawyer of Year Award in 2012.
The Top Criminal Law Firms In The UK
In addition to the top solicitors in the criminal law arena, there are some law firms that really demonstrate outstanding representation for their clients:
Blackfords LLP
One of the more noteworthy practices in the South East is Blackfords LLP. Led by Gary Bloxham and Trevor Francis, the team specialises in gang-related and violent crime offences, sexual assault and drug-trafficking issues, often with an international dimension.
Diana Payne handles general serious crime cases pertaining to murder and drug-related matters there with formidable acumen. A talented firm of criminal law specialists, their testimonials are numerous and they are regularly retained by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to assist with their prosecutions.
Corker Binning
Corker Binning enjoys a well-established reputation for excellence in a wide cross-section of criminal matters such as fraud, bribery and corruption cases.
Often at the forefront of new and emerging areas of law, their unrivalled depth of experience means that their team were able to develop the first-ever virtual jury trial platform during the Covid-19 pandemic.
They act across the whole spectrum of regulatory litigation, both in the UK and internationally. With cases such as the acquittal of a former CEO of Barclays Bank, there are few aspects of client presentation that unnerve this law firm.
Hodge, Jones & Allen
Founded in 1977, Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors is now legendary in North West London for being at the forefront of client defence in the UK.
With particular emphasis on righting wrongs, this progressive law firm strives to support the individual by extending help, justice and ethical treatment for all. Managing and Senior Partner Patrick Allen is a founding member as well as former president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
The multi-disciplinary practice provides legal advice in a wide array of areas and can be relied upon to effectively represent their clients with inspired and orthodoxy-challenging criminal defence.
Top Criminal Lawyers – What Makes Them The Best?
What qualities make a criminal solicitor ‘the best’? All lawyers may have their respective strengths and weaknesses. But in the thick of a defence or prosecution case, it’s important that your legal representation has the necessary skills to get you the best outcome. There are some obvious attributes to look for:
- Clear and precise communication skills
- Direct expertise with criminal cases
- Thorough understanding of the nuances of the law
- An understanding of how to keep the pace and pressure up
- An understanding of the emotional impact on the client and their families
Finding top criminal lawyers can be done in different ways. Firstly, you can search online and visit the websites of law firms or individuals that come up first. Most firms are happy to explain their services and offer free consultations to help potential clients in their search for legal representation.
You can also access more detailed recommendations on consumer review sites such as Trust Pilot. It’s important to remember that some sites may not offer the level of impartiality you are looking for, so personal recommendation may be the motivating factor for you. Alternatively, our directory can offer an excellent starting point.
What Types Of Claims Fall Under Criminal Law?
Criminal law covers quite a wide range of topics, so finding a top criminal lawyer with expertise and flexibility is important. Your particular issue may be related to:
- Criminal defence cases as they may be described under the Criminal Law Act 1967
- Fraud and money-laundering cases
- Organised criminal gangs and serious crime as detailed in the Serious Crime Act 2015
- Historical sexual abuse
- Public disorder and protest cases as outlined in the Public Order Act 1986
- Drug trafficking issues which this Government site explains in-depth
How Much Do Criminal Solicitors Charge In The UK?
Paying for legal representation in criminal law usually involves an hourly rate. This can vary from £250 for an initial consultation and then £150 – £300 per hour thereafter. The more skilled and in demand the top criminal lawyer, the higher their fee could be.
Legal Aid may be possible for criminal cases but this is determined by means testing in the following ways:
- Your income
- Family circumstances and number of dependents
- Essential living costs like mortgage or rent
- Passing the Interests of Justice rule.
Currently, Legal Aid solicitors are striking across the UK due to low pay and poor working conditions. Accepting cases such as this can often consume a disproportionate amount of their time and energy for very little pay.
Get Help Finding The Best Criminal Lawyers For Your Case
We hope this guide has offered insight into the top criminal lawyers and law firms that are operating in the UK today. If you have any other questions or need more information, please don’t hesitate to speak to us by:
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As well as this, the links below offer further related information on this topic:
- Read more about the Law Society
- Or details on the Solicitor’s Regulation Authority (SRA)
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