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Criminal Defence

Private Prosecutions

Raj Chada
Partner
Ruth Harris
Ruth Harris
Partner
Caroline Liggins
Caroline Liggins
Partner
Chloe Hartnell
Chloe Hartnell
Partner
Darrell Ennis-Gayle
Darrell Ennis-Gayle
Partner
Graeme Hydari
Graeme Hydari
Partner
Jessica Davis
Partner
Kerry Spence
Kerry Spence
Partner
Laura O'Brien
Laura O’Brien
Partner
Mike Schwarz
Mike Schwarz
Partner
Sean Caulfield
Sean Caulfield
Partner
Ailsa McNeil
Ailsa McNeil
Solicitor
Amy Coulter
Amy Coulter
Solicitor
Aneka Thirurajah
Aneka Thirurajah
Senior Associate
Anna Williams
Anna Williams
Paralegal
Ben Follows
Ben Follows
Paralegal
Bethany Gerrard
Bethany Gerrard
Trainee
Casey Jenkins
Senior Associate
Earnestina Rajaratnam
Earnestina Rajaratnam
Paralegal
Eliza Bell
Trainee
Elizabeth Andrewartha
Solicitor
Ella Ferriter
Paralegal
Emily McNally
Emily McNally
Solicitor
Fatima Qaid
Fatima Qaid
Paralegal
Francesca Cociani
Francesca Cociani
Senior Associate
George Steel
George Steel
Solicitor
Georgia Prichard
Georgia Prichard
Trainee
Ghislaine Sandoval
Ghislaine Sandoval
Associate
Hannah Hendy
Paralegal
Jessica Atkinson
Jessica Atkinson
Solicitor
Jessica Murray
Jessica Murray
Associate
Jiawen Guo
Paralegal
Justin Stuart-Mills
Consultant Solicitor
Katie McFadden
Katie McFadden
Associate
Katy O'Mara
Katy O’Mara
Associate
Kiran Mehta
Kiran Mehta
Consultant
Lara Ideo
Solicitor
Marina Afzal-Khan
Marina Afzal-Khan
Paralegal
May Spencer
May Spencer
Paralegal
Michael Ackah
Senior Associate
Priya Pandya
Priya Pandya
Paralegal
Rabiah Farooq
Rabiah Farooq
Trainee
Rebecca Field
Rebecca Field
Solicitor
Scarlett Roberts
Scarlett Roberts
Trainee
Shelby Keppel
Shelby Keppel
Consultant
Shyan MacTavish_Website
Shyan MacTavish
Associate
Tosin Akinboboye
Tosin Akinboboye
Solicitor
Viviane Bablin
Viviane Bablin
Solicitor

Any ordinary individual or company can bring a private prosecution against another individual or company under section 6 the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985.

If you feel a crime has been committed and appropriate action hasn’t been taken by the authorities to bring that person or company to justice, you have the power to do so through the criminal courts.

A private prosecution can be brought against any offence committed, including financial offences, assaults and sexual offences. As well as acting for private prosecutions, we’ve extensive experience in defending these cases as well.

HJA Chambers firm logo 2025Our Crime team have been ranked in the Chambers UK 2025 legal directory. The team were praised for their “100% commitment to their client” and “for delivering an excellent service.”

Legal 500 UK - Top Tier Firm-2025“They have able in-house advocates who have real expertise in this area. This does not come at the expense of their general crime practice.”Legal 500, 2025

Criminal prosecution

Thousands of criminal prosecutions begin everyday throughout England and Wales. It’s customary for these prosecutions to be brought by the Crown Prosecution Service or other state authorities. Other State prosecutors include the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), amongst many other organisations.

We have a team of expert lawyers who specialise in private prosecutions. We can assist you in seeking justice for crimes committed where other prosecuting authorities will not.

"Hodge Jones & Allen importantly present a human face to its clients at what is a very frightening time in their clients' lives. The team members have a strong knowledge of their area, but if they need clarification they will seek it rather than bluff. There is a strong emphasis on teamwork, with strength in depth." -Legal 500, 2025

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Why choose Hodge Jones & Allen?

Highly experienced

Experienced criminal litigators who are experts in evidence and procedure. Innovative lawyers that fight for justice on your behalf and have decades of experience in the Criminal Justice System.

Our top ranking team has years of experience representing the innocent. We stand up to the prosecution who will always be represented by an experienced solicitor or barrister. We know how to fight and win cases.

Experts suited to your needs

We work with our renowned Civil Liberties & Human Rights Solicitors. Our highly capable solicitors are capable of scrutinising police and prosecutor’s decisions, including judicial review and human rights challenges.

Lawyers who care

Strategic overview from the start. We help collect evidence, advise on further material and consider what further investigation is required.

We will represent you at the Police Station or in Court. If you need urgent representation call us today. All we need is a few details from you and we’ll let you know how we can help.

Contact our specialist team on
0330 822 3451
or request a call back.
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Featured Cases

Private Prosecution

FEATURED CASE: Issued a summons against two multinational arms companies who had infringed UK Regulations on the promotion of torture equipment at the DESI arms fair at the Excel centre.

Private Prosecution

FEATURED CASE: Instructed to review potential private prosecutions against individuals in the banking sector, as a result of activities during the financial crash.

Private Prosecution

FEATURED CASE: Instructed to review private prosecution on behalf of victim of historic sex allegation.

Private Prosecution

FEATURED CASE: Defended a £1.6 million fraud on behalf of an individual in relation to a private prosecution brought by Amazon which was eventually dropped.

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Frequently asked questions

Is there anything else I can do when considering a private prosecution?

If you’ve reported the matter to the police or an investigatory body and they’ve  told you they don’t intend to pursue your investigation, you then have the right to have the decision reviewed usually by a more senior investigator.

If is am successful in the private prosecution what will happen?

The court on conviction will proceed to punish and sentence the person convicted, in the same way they would if the state had prosecuted them. However, if you were contemplating a civil claim, then a criminal conviction would assist in that.

Are there any additional Costs implications?

Your costs for bringing a private prosecution are usually recoverable from central funds. However, this may not cover the total amount of the expenses you incur during proceedings. The Court will reimburse you for an amount they deem reasonable to compensate you. You should be aware that if the Court considers you’ve incurred costs through an act (or omission) which was unnecessary or improper, it can refuse to compensate you entirely for expenses. Further, you may be ordered to pay the Defendant for any costs they incur as a result of this misconduct. As such, it’s important  that a prosecution should be driven by what’s  objectively just and not for selfish interests.

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"The case was quickly allocated and every email was swiftly responded to and the Solicitor's passion for supporting women who have experienced abuse was refreshing- I have been recommending this firm since!"