Criminal Defence

Criminal Defence Solicitors London

Raj Chada

Partner

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Caroline Liggins

Partner

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Chloe Hartnell

Partner

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Darrell Ennis-Gayle

Partner

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Graeme Hydari

Partner

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Jessica Davis

Partner

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Kerry Spence

Partner

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Laura O’Brien

Partner

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Mike Schwarz

Partner

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Sean Caulfield

Partner

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Ruth Harris

Partner

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Anna Jemmison

Senior Associate

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Casey Jenkins

Senior Associate

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Maxine Barker

Associate

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Michael Ackah

Associate

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Aneka Thirurajah

Associate

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Francesca Cociani

Associate

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Ghislaine Sandoval

Solicitor

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Jessica Murray

Solicitor

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Katie McFadden

Associate

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Justin Stuart-Mills

Consultant Solicitor

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Kiran Mehta

Consultant

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Emily McNally

Paralegal

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Christelle Chungong

Support/Paralegal

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Donjeta Canolli

Paralegal

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Ella Ferriter

Paralegal

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Kit Gamble

Paralegal

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Marina Afzal-Khan

Paralegal

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Sinéad Vaughan

Paralegal

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Siri Beck-Friis

Paralegal

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Somaya Yassine

Paralegal

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Rabiah Farooq

Trainee

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Shelby Keppel

Paralegal

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Hannah Buchalter

Trainee

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Rebecca Shotton

Trainee

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Rónán Stewart

Trainee

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We’re widely acknowledged as one of the leading criminal defence practices in the UK.

Our winning formula isn’t just based on decades of experience and knowledge, but on understanding our client. Our lawyers are supportive and empathetic, taking the time to know and understand the most important person in the case – you. We know how to fight. We fight to win. We fight for you.

Highly recommended by the leading legal directories (Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners), our expert lawyers have defended in the most high profile, serious and complex cases ever prosecuted in the country.

Hodge Jones & Allen_Chambers 2023_png Our Crime team have been ranked in the Chambers & Partners 2024 legal directory. The team was described as “extremely strong in terms of criminal defence and particularly protest cases” and were praised for their “dedication to clients”.

Legal 500 uk-top-tier-firm-202

“Hodge Jones & Allen are possibly the best firm of criminal solicitors conducting publicly funded work, and also offer an excellent service to privately funded clients. They have a large team that has continually prospered through recruiting excellent trainees and investing in people.” – Legal 500, 2024

Criminal Defence Services

Blackmail & Extortion Solicitors

Criminal Defence Costs

Dealing with Disputes & Claims

Defending an Allegation

Driving Offence

Investigations

Private Prosecutions

Reputation Management

Sexual Freedom

Falsely Accused of Crime

Financial Crime & Regulatory

General Crime

Why choose Hodge Jones & Allen?

We frequently deal with high-profile cases involving ground-breaking issues of law, but we recognise that any legal case has a major impact on your personal and professional lives. We’ll be committed to your case no matter how large or small. Our leading lawyers will provide clear, strategic advice. You can rely on our tenacious solicitors to defend you and your freedoms.

Our commitment to excellence has led to our criminal defence lawyers winning numerous national awards. We’re focussed on securing the very best outcome for all our clients. We consider ourselves second to none, when it comes to winning trial preparation.

We pride ourselves on the highest quality of representation for all our clients, no matter what the case.

Representation

We’ll assist you in your case from the very start of an investigation. We work to encourage no prosecution to be taken. If your matter ends up in court, we’ll guide and represent you through the entire process, right up to appeal to the highest courts if necessary.

Court hearings

If your matter ends up in court, we’ll guide and represent you through the entire process, right up to appeal to the highest courts if necessary.

Robust Defence

We take the time to understand your case and your approach to it so that we can fight better on your behalf. Our lawyers are renowned for their patient, diligent and approachable manner.

Client testimonials

“The service I received was nothing short of brilliant and I couldn’t fault them in any way. And they got me exactly the result I wanted.” – Client, 2019

"I am thankful every day that I am in a much better place than I was when the incident took place, and without your assistance, that simply would not have been possible. I truly appreciate everything you have done for me.”

Independently recognised

We are leaders in the field – “They’re excellent: they are able to accommodate every level of case from the most complicated to the simplest, they’ve got the resources and deploy them well, and they’re very proactive.” – Chambers & Partners UK, 2019

Available 24 hours a day

0808 274 8226

When you need representation our team of experts can be on hand 24 hours a day.

Featured cases

Stansted 15 Walk Free From Court After Sentencing

A group of 15 activists who were convicted under counter-terrorism legislation for stopping a deportation flight have walked free from court. The group were convicted of disrupting services at an aerodrome, contrary to the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990 – a law brought in as a direct result of the Lockerbie bombings in 1988. Raj Chada, a partner in the Criminal team, represented the defendants. Their case was taken to the Court of Appeal where the Terror charges were quashed. The Lord Chief Justice stated that the group should never have been prosecuted for the offence.

Murder charge dropped for client in New Year altercation on Park Lane

Our solicitor was instructed in the defence of Adham El Shalakany at the Central Criminal Court. Mr El Shalakany was arrested at home on 29 January 2019 and charged in connection with the murder of Tudor Siminiov on Park Lane on 1 January 2019. The charge was brought on a joint enterprise basis. The prosecution decided that they wouldn’t proceed with the murder charge against him.

“The firm maintains very high standards and strict protocols without letting them become an obstacle to creativity and service.” - Chambers UK

Featured Cases

Criminal Defence Solicitors

Murder Offences

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Frequently asked questions

In what initial circumstances might I require a criminal defence lawyer?

Many people who have been arrested and have never been in trouble before feel they don’t require a lawyer because they’ve done nothing wrong. This is a mistake. Criminal law is a vast, complex and specialist area and you require the best advice when your liberty and reputation is at stake, not to mention any financial penalties that you may incur. It’s important to have a specialist criminal lawyer with you throughout the process.

I have been told that I have been Released Under Investigation, (RUI) - what does this mean?

If you’ve been Released Under Investigation, this means that the police or other investigators are still continuing their enquiries and the investigation is ongoing. The authorities may be taking further witness statements, obtaining CCTV, having items forensically analysed or obtaining banking and other personal data.Having been Released Under Investigation and/or bailed by the police, the police have a number of options:

The police could decide to take no further action
The police might caution you
They might charge you meaning that you would be required to go to court
If you’re required to attend court you should instruct a lawyer to represent you who can give you expert advice, both as to the offence you face, and how the court procedure works

How long can the police keep me on bail?

Initially, you can be released for a maximum of 28 days, but this can be extended by up to 3 months (including those initial 28 days) by a senior officer if the criteria is made out. Further extensions can only be granted by a magistrates’ court up to 12 months if the necessary criteria is made out.

Do you have any expertise in representing vulnerable clients?

Yes, we’re very experienced in this area in relation to both young people and those with mental or developmental conditions. We’re very knowledgeable about such conditions and have quick access to psychiatrists, psychologists and intermediaries who can assess you and produce reports for the court to help you in your case. We can make applications to the court for you to be assisted by an intermediary to sit with you and support you in order to help you understand what is happening in your case, and to help you give your account of what happened.

Knowledge & specialism

One of our senior solicitors specialises in this area and is particularly knowledgeable about Autism. We also have a specialist Youth Team which is highly regarded in the field of youth justice. We know that even when a child/young person has been charged with a very grown up criminal offence, they are still exceptionally vulnerable in the court process because of their age. The best interests of the child/young person is a central principle of the youth justice system and it’s at the heart of our approach to fighting for our young clients.

I have received a Restraint Order, freezing all of my assets, what can I do?

Early legal advice is vital. A Restraint Order can be obtained before you’re charged with a criminal offence. The Restraint Order will prevent you from dealing with assets which are specified in the Order and you’ll be required to serve a statement setting out your income and assets.

We can advise you on the legality of the Restraint Order, drafting the statement of assets, as well as applying to the Court for variation or discharge of the Order. A Restraint Order can have potentially devastating effects on you or your business.

We’ll act swiftly so that any necessary applications are made to ensure that your life isn’t interrupted, allowing you to cover your living expenses and/or continue to trade.

The police have seized cash from me, what can I do?

The Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 gives a Police Officer or Revenue and Customs Officer the power to seize cash, and then apply for its forfeiture. It can only be seized if it’s £1,000 or more and the officer has reasonable grounds for suspecting that the cash has been obtained through unlawful criminal conduct or is intended for use in unlawful conduct.

Once the cash has been seized, the prosecution can only retain the cash for 48 hours before they need to apply to the Magistrates’ court for the continued detention of the cash. The Court can only grant a period of detention for a period of 6 months at any one time, up to a maximum of 2 years. You can apply, at any time, for the return of the cash. In order for the cash to be forfeited, the prosecution will have to show on the balance of probabilities that that cash was obtained through unlawful conduct or is intended to be used in unlawful conduct.

By contacting our financial crime specialists as soon as possible, we can help to establish whether the cash has been seized legally, and secure its return as soon as possible.

Awards & Recognition

Further Reading

Opinion

Fatal Road Accidents: When Will There Be A Criminal Prosecution And What Will Be The Outcome

Opinion

Ministry of Justice Reverse Increase In Sentencing Powers Of Magistrates

Opinion

I Was Racially Profiled And Manhandled By The Police, Now They Have Charged Me With A Criminal Offence

Opinion

Jurors Beware. The Possible Perils Of Jury Service

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A firm dedicated to the old-fashioned virtue of conscientious hard work in pursuit of their clients’ interests. -- Legal 500 – Ranked as Tier 1 (Crime)

Criminal Defence Solicitors London

Criminal Defence Services