Criminal Legal Consultancy

Practical Criminal Law Advice and Support

Facing a criminal allegation can be stressful and confusing. Understanding what is happening, what your options are and what steps you can take is often the first priority.

We provide independent criminal law advice, assistance and consultancy in relation to unreserved legal work.

Our service is designed for people who want clear, practical and straightforward assistance in understanding criminal allegations, procedures and documentation.

What we can help with

Depending on the circumstances, our unreserved criminal law consultancy service can include:

• Explaining criminal offences and the relevant legal principles.

• Explaining criminal procedure and what to expect at different stages.

• Reviewing and explaining correspondence, statements and other documents.

• Assisting clients to understand evidence and identify relevant issues.

• Helping clients prepare questions and information for their solicitor or barrister.

• Providing general advice about possible case strategies and issues to discuss with an instructed lawyer.

• Assisting with the preparation of factual chronologies and case summaries.

• Reviewing documents and identifying matters that may require further investigation.

• Providing legal research and written explanations of relevant law.

• Advising on matters arising from police investigations, subject to the limits of an unregulated consultancy.

• Providing general guidance to defendants, witnesses and others involved in criminal matters.

A practical approach

Criminal law can involve unfamiliar terminology, complicated procedures and serious consequences.

Our aim is to explain matters in plain English, identify the important issues and help you understand the legal position.

We take time to understand the circumstances of each matter before explaining the relevant legal issues and the practical options available to you.

An unregulated legal consultancy

We are not a firm authorised or regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and we do not represent ourselves as such.

Our services are restricted to unreserved legal activities.

The Legal Services Act 2007 identifies certain activities as "reserved legal activities", including the exercise of rights of audience and the conduct of litigation.

We do not undertake reserved legal activities unless the activity is carried out by a person or organisation separately authorised to do so.

In particular, our consultancy does not itself provide a right to:

• appear in court on your behalf;

• conduct litigation on your behalf; or

• undertake any other activity which the law requires to be carried out by an authorised person.

Where your circumstances require a regulated solicitor, barrister or other authorised legal professional, we will tell you that you should obtain appropriate representation.

Your choice of solicitor or barrister

You are free to instruct a solicitor or barrister independently.

If court representation or the conduct of litigation is required, you should obtain advice from an appropriately authorised legal professional.

We can, where appropriate, assist you in understanding the issues so that you can have a more informed discussion with your solicitor or barrister.

Experienced legal knowledge

Our consultancy is based on extensive experience of legal practice and problem solving.

We understand that people facing criminal allegations often need someone to explain complicated legal matters clearly and without unnecessary jargon.

Our role is to provide information, explanation, legal research and practical assistance within the limits of unreserved legal work.

Important information

This website provides general information about our services and is not itself legal advice.

Every criminal case is different. Information provided by the consultancy is based on the information supplied to us and should not be treated as a substitute for representation by an appropriately authorised criminal defence lawyer where such representation is required.

If you are due to attend court, have been charged with an offence, or require someone to represent you in criminal proceedings, you should obtain advice from an appropriately authorised solicitor or barrister without delay.

If you are unsure whether your matter requires a regulated legal professional, please ask us before instructing us.

Contact us

If you would like to discuss your circumstances and establish whether our unreserved consultancy service can assist, please contact us for an initial discussion.

Clear advice. Practical assistance. Experienced legal knowledge.