Cartwright King is a leading regional criminal litigation practice with a well-respected Midlands-based team. The firm is known for its ability to manage extensive evidential caseloads and is able to assist with white-collar crime mandates and a plethora of other serious offences. Laura Smith is an impressive defence advocate and is well versed in the intricacies of corporate fraud matters, while James Bainbridge heads up the Crown Court department and regularly defends challenging cases involving serious criminal offences. Sharad Buddhdev is a financial crime specialist that can also advise on firearm matters and issues relating to court martials.

Johnson Astills fields a broad criminal litigation practice, with numerous successes at the Crown Court and Magistrate levels. The team is noted for a variety of mandates and particularly stands out for its representation of vulnerable clients. Co-chair Helen Johnson‘s practice centers on serious Crown Court trials; she is also active in Youth Court trials and appeals. Fellow co-chair Michelle Harding supports her clients from the police station through to the trial stage, and has secured several notable dismissals.

Smith Partnership regularly assists clients with the full spectrum of criminal cases, including high-value fraud and business crime work. The firm’s ability to handle matters involving more serious crimes is aided by its dedicated Crown Court department. Kevin McGrath is an expert in corporate criminal matters, while Andrew Oldroyd chairs the general crime team and is highly regarded for his representation of motorists and Youth Court clients. Both Vasanti Vaitha and Beth McGovern are also recommended for Crown Court cases.

Richard Nelson LLP is a fraud and business litigation boutique, and also assists clients with professional investigations and defends individuals against serious sexual allegations including historic sexual offences, rape and indecent image charges. Jacqui Callan is an experienced Crown Court advocate, who often assists individuals facing sex charges.

Sills & Betteridge LLP possesses a robust criminal litigation offering, and the team accommodates both private and legal aid clients in the full range of mandates from Magistrate level traffic crimes to complicated murder trials. Katie Scott assumes a central role in advising those accused of indictable only offences, such as homicide and drug conspiracies, while Christopher Hogg focuses on road traffic offences and is an experienced Higher Court Advocate.

Wilkin Chapman LLP fields a criminal team that can assist with criminal charges and regulatory proceedings, such as environmental prosecutions. The team specialises in motoring offences, with team head Alison Boffey particularly active in this space, and the firm’s sectoral approach has brought in a number of clients from the military and agricultural sectors. David Richardson is skilled in motoring offences and Magistrate Court advocacy.