Acting both for private individuals and business entities, the general crime and fraud team at David Gray Solicitors LLP in Newcastle cooperates closely with the firm’s immigration, family, and mental health teams to provide a multidisciplinary offering spanning all aspects of criminal defence. Heading the practice, higher court advocate Brian Hegarty has a strong track record defending clients before the magistrates’ courts, crown courts, and the Court of Appeal, and is particularly recommended for advice on financial crime and driving offences. Janice Hall is another key name for motoring offences, as well as domestic violence and sexual offences, while Amy Lamb assists on tax fraud and organised crime matters.

Hay & Kilner‘s Wallsend-based criminal defence offering has a strong track record advising on the full range of crime proceedings, including complex fraud, for corporate and individual clients. With notable expertise in prison law matters, the team is also well-placed to advise on post-sentencing issues. Mark Harrison heads the practice and specialises in cybercrime, serious sexual offences, high-value fraud, and POCA cases. Harrison works alongside Karen Minhas, who frequently assists on cases before the Crown Court, as well as higher court advocate Matthew Purves , and the ‘brilliant‘ prison law expert Mark Styles.

The ‘efficient, proactive, and realistic‘ criminal department at Kenneth M Barrow & Co is recommended for expertise in serious organised crime and drug offences. Based in Durham, the team routinely handles the full scope of criminal cases in the magistrates’ and Crown Courts. Described by clients as ‘professional and empathetic,‘ Sunny Thandi now heads the department and advises clients during all stages of criminal investigations and has extensive experience handling drug importation and distribution conspiracy cases.