If you’ve been accused of rape or sexual assault, you’re likely feeling anxious and uncertain about what happens next. One of the most important questions is: “How does the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decide whether to charge me?” The answer lies in the Full Code Test, which applies to all criminal cases, including allegations of […] Read more

For any company director, being informed that you must attend an interview under caution is one of the most stressful events you are likely to encounter in your professional life. Even where you believe the allegations are unfounded, the interview is a formal part of a criminal investigation, and your responses may have serious consequences. […] Read more

Being asked to attend a police interview—whether by arrest or a so‑called “voluntary” invitation—can be intimidating, especially where sexual offence allegations are involved. What happens in that interview can significantly affect the investigation’s direction and any future court proceedings. This guide explains how police interviews work in England and Wales, your legal rights under PACE, […] Read more

Facing an allegation of a sexual offence is distressing, serious, and potentially life‑changing. Whether you’ve been invited to a voluntary police interview or arrested, the first hours and days matter. Early, specialist legal advice protects your rights, reduces risk, and can materially influence the outcome. If you’ve been contacted by police, received a voluntary interview […] Read more

When facing a serious allegation such as rape, every aspect of your defence matters. One question that often arises is whether the gender of your defence barrister can influence the outcome of a rape trial. It’s a fair and important question—especially in cases involving sensitive allegations and emotionally charged evidence. Why this question matters In […] Read more

One of the most common—and most dangerous—assumptions I hear from people accused of rape is this: “I’ve denied it. There are no witnesses. It’ll be my word against hers and that won’t be enough to charge me.” Clients are often shocked when I tell them, sometimes very early on, that I think they may well […] Read more

If you are charged with a criminal offence, then, in most contested matters, I will instruct a specialist advocate to present your case in court. I can (and do) conduct trials in the magistrates’ court, but the reality is that most of my time is spent investigating a client’s case rather than being in court […] Read more

One of the most frequent questions that I am asked by non-lawyers is: “how can you defend someone who you know is guilty”. The simple, pithy, answer is “that’s my job”, but, in truth, it is way more complicated than that. “Legal guilt” is not the same as “factual guilt” Secondly, “legal guilt” is different […] Read more

If you’re charged with a criminal offence then you’re going to want to get the best legal representation that you can afford, from a rated criminal defence solicitor. The consequences of an adverse outcome are obvious (loss of reputation, broken personal relationships, loss of freedom, etc.) and if you instruct me I will do all […] Read more

It’s common for the innocent to question why they need to hire a solicitor, much less a leading criminal lawyer, when they have done nothing wrong; “the truth will out” – isn’t that the phrase?  This lack of appreciation is shared by many lawyers, who regard the trial as the crowning glory of our criminal […] Read more

Obviously, the fee that a criminal defence solicitor charges his client (if paying privately) is determined by, usually, his hourly rate multiplied by the time it takes for the lawyer to complete his / her work. I will normally offer my clients a fixed or graduated fee depending on the circumstances of a case, but […] Read more

Despite the numerous television programs and films depicting the job of a (usually American) criminal defence lawyer, I am not sure that the general public really understands or appreciates the job that we do. What is a criminal lawyer? The term “criminal lawyer” is generic and used to describe anyone who is a licensed legal […] Read more

I no longer provide publicly-funded criminal defence services and I am often asked: “why have you abandoned legal aid”? The simple answer is that I haven’t; my firm is a leading provider of publicly-funded criminal defence services and I am proud of the work we do to protect all of our clients’ basic legal and human […] Read more