Criminal defence specialists
If you have been accused of, or charged with, a criminal offence we can work with you to defend the proceedings or to limit the impact a guilty plea may have on your livelihood and reputation.
Our Team
Based in London and across the Thames Valley our experienced lawyers Stephen Bennett and Phil Kouvaritakis represent those facing criminal proceedings throughout England and Wales. Offering detailed analysis and advice, our team will work with you to obtain the best possible outcome.
Early involvement at the investigation stage can make all the difference to the outcome of any criminal case and our clear advice and direction can often divert matters away from the criminal courts resulting in less impact on reputation and finances. In more serious cases it may well be that your liberty is also at stake and we will advise on strategies to remove or mitigate that risk.
Criminal defence process
- We will arrange an early meeting with you, either in person or remotely (if preferred), to discuss any anticipated investigation by the police or other law enforcement authority.
- Our team will give you straightforward practical advice on what to do should the police arrive unannounced at your home.
- If the police or other authority have asked you to attend for a voluntary interview, we will contact them to obtain details of why they suspect you of committing a crime and ask them to disclose the evidence they are relying on.
- We can arrange a meeting with you before any interview to advise you on the initial evidence and give you advice on how to deal with the interview, the procedures and the possible outcomes.
- Following an interview we can explore with the police if there are alternatives to a case going forward to court such as a caution or community disposal.
- If you have been charged we can assist you by obtaining the prosecution evidence from the CPS (Crown Prosecution Service) and meet with you before your court initial hearing.
- We will prepare you for court, advising you on the procedure and represent you throughout the Magistrates’ Court process.
- In more serious cases proceeding to the Crown Court, we will work diligently to litigate your case and help you choose representation from the strong network of London based barristers including senior King’s Counsel with whom we have a close working relationship.
- We know you will want continuity of representation and we will do our utmost to make sure that you are represented by the same lawyers throughout.
- We will explain in clear terms the likely costs associated with each step of the criminal process and will provide you with clear advice on your prospects of success in every case.
Areas of law
- Fraud and financial crime (including SFO, HMRC and FCA investigations)
- Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) offences
- Cryptocurrency fraud
- Seizure and forfeiture applications (including POCA, CWFO and CWForO applications)
- Corporate Manslaughter
- Bribery Act offences
- Sexual offences (including historic sexual offences and indecent images)
- Drugs offences
- Motoring offences
- Violent crime and offences against the person
- Harassment and stalking offences
- Malicious communications and online offences
- Health and Safety offences
- Landlord and Tenant Act offences (including HMO licensing)
- Environment Agency investigations
- Breach of Tree Preservation Orders
- DBS appeals/representations
- SIA appeals
- DVLA appeals
- Taxi Licensing appeals
- Firearms licensing
- Education Act offences
- School/University disciplinary matters
Pricing
As every case is different, we will discuss pricing with you once we have a clear picture of your needs. Our objective is to give you peace of mind. We aim to offer all our clients choices on pricing so that we can agree a price and a structure which suits you.
In accordance with the SRA Transparency Rules, our guide to prices and service information for motoring law (summary offences) can be found here.
