Out of hours criminal line on 0151 351 6111. The firm says it will explain funding options and help with legal aid applications.
Office
4 St Paul's Square, Liverpool, L3 9SJ
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
MSB is a Liverpool firm that started in the city and still runs its business from St Paul's Square. Its crime team is led by partner Paul Gallagher, with a separate head of business crime and a consultant solicitor advocate. The firm says it takes on serious and complex cases, including high profile ones, as well as motoring and fraud work. It suits anyone facing a serious charge who wants a large, well resourced local team. The firm says it will explain funding options and help with legal aid applications.
Also worth knowing
The firm displays the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation and Lexcel.
Lawyers
The firm lists its crime team firm wide rather than by office.
Paul Gallagher, Partner, Head of Crime
Scott Turner-Percy, Head of Business Crime
Andrew Jonathan Pearson, Consultant Solicitor Advocate
Best for People in north Liverpool and Sefton who want one firm from interview to trial
Mike Leeman, the managing partner, is a Higher Court Advocate and duty solicitor, police station accredited since 1994, according to the firm's website.
David Rose and Gary Lawrenson are also listed as Higher Court Advocates.
The firm lists accredited police station representatives on its crime staff.
Out of hours freephone for urgent matters on 0808 196 1790. The firm says police station representation is free of charge.
Office
39 Walton Vale, Liverpool, L9 4ST
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Bell Lamb & Joynson is a Merseyside firm with a deep criminal bench across north Liverpool, the city centre and nearby towns. Managing partner Mike Leeman is a Higher Court Advocate and duty solicitor who has been police station accredited since 1994. Several of the team hold higher rights, and the firm keeps accredited police station representatives on staff. It covers everything from public order to murder and white collar fraud. It suits people who want a local firm that can follow a case from interview to the Crown Court. Police station advice is free, the firm says.
Also worth knowing
The firm has six offices across Merseyside, Cheshire and Wigan, each with its own SRA number.
Lawyers
Several senior associates on the criminal pages are also described as Higher Court Advocates.
Mike Leeman, Managing Partner, Higher Court Advocate and duty solicitor
David Rose, Criminal Defence Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate
Gary Lawrenson, Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate
Jenny Price, Senior Caseworker and Accredited Police Station Representative
Christine Nolan, Paralegal and Accredited Police Station Representative
Phoebe Lucas, Criminal Paralegal
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station representation
Voluntary interviews
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court defence
Criminal appeals
Murder and manslaughter
Sexual offences
Drug offences
Assault, ABH and GBH
White collar and serious fraud
Proceeds of crime and confiscation
Office
39 Walton Vale, Liverpool, L9 4ST
Other details
Other offices
Liverpool city centre (Suite 214, 20 Chapel Street, L3 9AG), Maghull, Runcorn, Warrington, Ashton-in-Makerfield
24 hour line for urgent criminal matters on 0151 227 1429. Legal aid available for benefit related interviews on a means tested basis, according to the firm.
Broudie Jackson Canter is a long running Liverpool name in crime and prison law, now trading as part of Jackson Lees Group. Rebecca Templeman heads crime and prison law, with duty solicitors, a Higher Court Advocate and accredited police station representatives on the team. It runs a 24 hour line for urgent criminal matters. It pairs defence work with a dedicated prison law team. It suits people who may need help both before and after sentence. Legal aid is available for some interviews, the firm says.
Established in 1960, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
The firm runs a 24 hour, seven day line for urgent criminal matters.
Lawyers
Rebecca Templeman, Divisional Director of Access to Justice, Head of Crime and Prison Law
Ken Heckle, Criminal Duty Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate
Phil Lieb, Criminal Duty Solicitor
Vicky Balenski, Senior Associate, Magistrates Court Team Leader
Darren Holt, Associate and Accredited Police Station Representative
Vicki McLaughlin, Associate and Accredited Police Station Representative
Best for People facing serious Crown Court charges who want a crime only local firm
All four directors, Peter Mitchell, Richard Hughes, Graham Polson and Gerard Nolan, are listed as solicitors and Higher Court Advocates, according to the firm's website.
Peter Mitchell says he has 40 years in the criminal justice system, starting as a court clerk at Liverpool Magistrates' Court.
The firm says it runs a large criminal legal aid practice and a 24 hour on call service across Merseyside.
24 hour on call service across Merseyside, with an after hours line on 07769 931 027. The firm says it runs a large legal aid practice and also takes privately funded cases.
Office
Suite 4, 1st Floor, One Derby Square, Liverpool, L2 9QR
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Canters Crime is a city centre criminal defence practice set up in 2017 by Peter Mitchell, Graham Polson and Richard Hughes when they left the crime department at Canter Levin & Berg. Gerard Nolan joined them as a director in 2019. All four directors are Higher Court Advocates, so the people preparing a case can also argue it in the Crown Court. The firm says it runs a large legal aid practice and takes private work too. It suits people facing a serious charge who want an experienced local team. A 24 hour on call service covers Merseyside.
Founded in 2017
Also worth knowing
The firm displays Lexcel accreditation.
Lawyers
Peter Mitchell, Director, Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate
Richard Hughes, Director, Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate
Graham Polson, Director, Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate
Gerard Nolan, Director, Solicitor and Higher Court Advocate, police station accredited
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station advice
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court defence
Murder and serious violence
Drug offences
Theft offences
Domestic violence allegations
Fraud and financial offences
Money laundering
Benefit fraud
Motoring offences
Office
Suite 4, 1st Floor, One Derby Square, Liverpool, L2 9QR
Mainly privately funded on hourly rates, with fixed fees for some minor motoring offences. The firm says legal aid may be available in some cases.
Office
The Plaza, 100 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3 9QJ
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
JMW is a large Manchester headquartered firm whose criminal defence and business crime department lists Liverpool as one of its three offices. The team is weighted towards serious and complex work: fraud, money laundering, murder, serious drugs and firearms cases, plus regulatory investigations by bodies such as HMRC and the FCA. It mostly acts privately, with hourly rates and some fixed fees for minor motoring matters. It suits professionals and business owners facing an investigation. Legal aid may be available in some cases, the firm says.
Also worth knowing
The team handles regulatory investigations by the FCA, HMRC, HSE, Insolvency Service and Trading Standards.
Lawyers
The firm lists its criminal team across Manchester, London and Liverpool without saying who sits in which office.
Evan Wright, Partner, Criminal Defence and Business Crime
Daniel Martin, Partner, Business Crime and Regulation
Hojol Uddin, Partner, Business Crime and Regulatory
24 hour line, seven days a week, on 0333 200 5859. Contact the firm to ask about legal aid and other funding.
Office
Suite 47-50, Exchange Station, Tithebarn Street, Liverpool, L2 2QP
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
DPP Law is a Bootle headquartered criminal defence firm with a city centre office at Exchange Station. It says it has been defending clients since 1982. Partners Paul Lewis and David Kilty lead its Crown Court and magistrates' and police station departments, and several of the team are solicitor advocates. It covers the full run of offences up to murder, terrorism and extradition, and also brings actions against the police. It suits people who want a long established local firm with in house advocates. A 24 hour line is published for arrests.
Helping clients since 1982, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
The firm's site shows Lexcel accreditation.
Lawyers
The firm does not say which of its Merseyside offices each lawyer works from.
Paul Lewis, Partner, Head of Advocacy and Crown Court Departments, Solicitor Advocate
David Kilty, Partner, Head of Magistrates and Police Departments, duty solicitor
Jeremy Coleman, Partner and Solicitor Advocate
Paul Kilty, Solicitor Advocate
Stuart Nolan, Consultant and Solicitor Advocate
Charlotte Baggaley, Solicitor and Accredited Police Station Representative
Kirsty Gannon, Accredited Police Station Representative
Georgina Lucy, Solicitor, Crime
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station representation
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court defence
Criminal appeals
Murder and manslaughter
Drug, firearm and knife offences
Sexual offences
Organised crime and terrorism
Extradition
Motoring law
Benefit and serious fraud
Military law
Office
Suite 47-50, Exchange Station, Tithebarn Street, Liverpool, L2 2QP
Other details
Other offices
Bootle (head office, Pinnacle House, Stanley Road), London, Birmingham and Surrey (Tolworth)
Police station representation 24 hours a day on 07912 068 717. Holds a criminal legal aid contract; court legal aid is means tested for adults and not means tested for under 18s. Fixed fees published by stage for private clients.
Office
Frank Crowley House, 232 Breck Road, Anfield, Liverpool, L5 6PX
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Paul Crowley & Co is an Anfield high street firm with a proper crime department, not just a sideline. Emma Smith, a director, heads crime, and Mark Hayes leads the Crown Court work, with Eileen Chisnall holding higher rights. The firm holds a criminal legal aid contract and publishes fixed fees by stage for private clients. It offers police station cover around the clock. It suits north Liverpool residents who want a local firm with clear funding terms. Legal aid at court is means tested for adults and free for under 18s, the firm says.
Formed as Paul Crowley & Co in 1991
Also worth knowing
The firm says it holds a Legal Aid contract in criminal defence.
Lawyers
Emma Smith, Director, Head of Crime
Mark Hayes, Associate, Head of Crown Court Department
Eileen Chisnall, Solicitor, Higher Court Advocate
Bethany Strickland, Solicitor
Michael Fogarty, COLP
Andrea Walsh, Fee Earner (ACILEX)
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station representation
Police interview advice
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court defence
Court of Appeal
Motoring offences
Drink and drug driving
DWP prosecutions
Fraud
Youth crime
Office
Frank Crowley House, 232 Breck Road, Anfield, Liverpool, L5 6PX
24 hour line on 0845 200 3367. The firm does legal aid and private work. Police station advice is free for anyone arrested or interviewed.
Office
Merchants Court, 2-12 Lord Street, Liverpool, L2 1TS
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Tuckers is a national criminal defence firm, founded in 1983, with more than 150 lawyers and a Liverpool office on Lord Street. It calls itself the UK's leading criminal defence solicitors and says it represents more suspects in police custody than any other firm in England and Wales. It does both legal aid and private work, with a separate private client department. It suits anyone arrested who needs a representative quickly, at any hour. Police station advice is free for anyone arrested or interviewed, the firm says.
Established in 1983
Also worth knowing
The firm says it defends more suspects in police custody than any other criminal law firm in England and Wales.
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station advice
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court defence
Youth court
Serious crime
Computer and internet crime
Criminal appeals and miscarriages of justice
Prison law
Civil liberties and police actions
Office
Merchants Court, 2-12 Lord Street, Liverpool, L2 1TS
Other details
Other offices
21 offices nationally, including Birmingham, Kent, Leeds, London and Manchester
Out of hours line on 0333 009 8184. The firm says it acts for both publicly and privately funded clients.
Office
3rd, 4th and 5th Floors, Merchants Court, 2-12 Lord Street, Liverpool, L2 1TS
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
ABR is a Leeds headquartered criminal defence practice with offices across England and Wales, including one on Lord Street in Liverpool. Its work runs from general crime to business defence, proceeds of crime and confiscation, and professional disciplinary hearings. The firm says it acts for both privately and publicly funded clients. It suits people facing drug conspiracy, fraud or confiscation proceedings who want a firm that does only this work. An out of hours number is published for urgent help.
Also worth knowing
The firm says it acts for both legally aided and private clients.
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station representation
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court defence
Drug offences and conspiracy
Sexual offences
Fraud and financial crime
Proceeds of crime and confiscation
Bribery and money laundering
Regulatory investigations
Professional disciplinary hearings
Prison law
Office
3rd, 4th and 5th Floors, Merchants Court, 2-12 Lord Street, Liverpool, L2 1TS
Other details
Other offices
Head office in Leeds, plus Birmingham, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Leicester, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham and Southampton
Calls answered 24 hours on 0151 243 7500. The firm says it is a member of the Legal Aid Agency's very high cost case and specialist fraud panels.
Office
Front Office, 3rd Floor, 6-8 Castle Street, Liverpool, L2 0NB
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Hogan Brown is a small Castle Street practice founded by directors Michael Hogan and John Brown, focused on white collar crime, fraud and regulatory prosecutions. Michael Hogan qualified in 1984 and has higher rights of audience. The firm says it sits on the Legal Aid Agency's panels for very high cost cases and specialist fraud. Its work includes restraint, confiscation, cash seizures and extradition. It suits company directors and others facing an SFO, HMRC or confiscation case. The firm advertises a 24 hour phone line.
Also worth knowing
It handles restraint, confiscation and cash seizure proceedings.
Lawyers
Michael Hogan, Director, founder member, higher rights of audience
John Brown, Director, founder member
Areas of criminal law handled
Business crime and fraud
Bribery and corruption
Money laundering
Dawn raids and search warrants
Interviews under caution
Restraint orders
Confiscation proceedings
Cash seizures
Extradition
Motoring offences
Health, safety and environmental prosecutions
Office
Front Office, 3rd Floor, 6-8 Castle Street, Liverpool, L2 0NB
Firm details come from each firm's own website. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't set the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
How we compiled this list
We include firms with an office in Liverpool that do criminal defence as a main part of their work. We read each firm's own website in October 2026, checked it says it is regulated by the SRA, and wrote the descriptions ourselves. Accreditations and first consultation terms are as the firm describes them, so confirm them when you call. Google ratings are shown with the date we checked them where we have them.
No firm pays for its place on this list, and the order is our own.
This page is general information, not legal advice. The law is as published on legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK, the Sentencing Council and the Crown Prosecution Service in October 2026, for England and Wales.
At the police station: your right to free advice
If you're held at a police station, you have the right to speak to a solicitor in private at any time. It's free. When you ask, the police contact the Defence Solicitor Call Centre. You can ask for the duty solicitor, who is available 24 hours a day and independent of the police, or for a solicitor you choose. For less serious matters you may be offered free advice by phone instead.
The caution: "You do not have to say anything. But it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in Court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence."
Telling someone: you can ask for one person to be told where you are, and name up to two others if the first can't be reached
Under 18 or vulnerable: the police must find an appropriate adult, and you can speak to them in private at any time
Delays: police can hold back access to a solicitor only for an indictable offence, with a superintendent's authority and on set grounds, and never beyond 36 hours
Police can usually hold you for up to 24 hours before charging or releasing you. For an indictable offence a superintendent can extend that to 36 hours, and magistrates can issue warrants that take it to a maximum of 96 hours. Terrorism and national security arrests follow separate rules, with up to 14 days.
Voluntary interviews. If you've been invited in rather than arrested, you can leave at any time unless you're arrested, and you must be told you can get free legal advice. Treat it as seriously as an interview after arrest, because what you say can be used in the same way.
After the interview: charge, bail or release under investigation
Once the police have finished questioning you, there are four main outcomes.
Outcome
What it means
Charged
You'll be given a date at the magistrates' court. The police may hold you for court or release you on bail, sometimes with conditions such as a curfew
Released on pre-charge bail
You must come back to the station when told, and there may be conditions. In most cases bail lasts 3 months at first, or 6 months in FCA, HMRC, NCA and SFO cases
Released under investigation
You can go home with no conditions, but the police keep investigating and can still arrest and charge you later
Caution
For minor offences, only if you admit the offence and agree to it. A conditional caution comes with conditions, and you can be charged if you don't keep to them
Pre-charge bail can be extended. Since 28 October 2022, an inspector can extend it to 6 months and a superintendent to 9 months. In a case the Director of Public Prosecutions designates as exceptionally complex, an assistant chief constable or commander can extend it to 12 months. In FCA, HMRC, NCA and SFO cases, a senior officer of that body can extend it to 12 months. Any further extension needs a magistrates' court.
A caution isn't a conviction, but it can come up on standard and enhanced DBS checks, so get advice before you accept one. In Merseyside, charging decisions in more serious cases are made by CPS Mersey-Cheshire.
Bail at court. A court can refuse bail on grounds set out in the Bail Act 1976, such as a real risk you'd fail to turn up, commit an offence or interfere with witnesses. Since 22 March 2026 the court must also consider whether you're pregnant, a primary carer or a victim of domestic abuse.
Which court: Liverpool magistrates' or the Crown Court
Every criminal case starts in a magistrates' court. Where it goes next depends on the type of offence.
Type of offence
Where it's heard
Summary, such as most minor motoring offences
Magistrates' court. Up to 6 months' prison for a single offence
Either way, such as theft or many assaults
Magistrates' court or the Crown Court. Since 18 November 2024, magistrates can give up to 12 months' prison for a single either way offence
Indictable only, such as murder, rape and robbery
Always sent to the Crown Court, where a jury decides guilt and a judge passes sentence
If the magistrates think an either way case suits them, they must explain that you can agree to be tried there or choose a Crown Court trial. You can also ask whether a custodial or non-custodial sentence would be more likely if you pleaded guilty there, though the court doesn't have to tell you. Even after a trial in the magistrates' court, you can be sent to the Crown Court for sentence.
The Government says its Courts and Tribunals Bill, as introduced, would remove the right to choose Crown Court trial for either way offences. The Bill is still going through the House of Lords and is not law, so that right still applies today.
The Liverpool courts
Court
Address
What it deals with
Liverpool & Knowsley Magistrates' Court
The Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts, Derby Square, Liverpool, L2 1XA
Criminal cases, including Single Justice Procedure cases
Liverpool Crown Court
The Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts, Derby Square, Liverpool, L2 1XA
Criminal trials and sentencing, and appeals from the magistrates' court
Young people aged 10 to 17 usually go to a youth court, a type of magistrates' court with no jury that the public generally can't attend. Check the court named on your papers, as youth cases may be heard elsewhere.
To appeal a magistrates' court conviction or sentence to the Crown Court, you usually have 15 business days from sentence.
Legal aid for criminal cases
Advice at the police station is free for everyone. For representation in court, legal aid depends on two tests: whether it's in the interests of justice, and your means.
Automatic pass on means: you pass the means test automatically if you're under 18, or if you get Universal Credit, Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, income related Employment and Support Allowance or the guarantee credit of Pension Credit. You still have to pass the interests of justice test
Magistrates' court: adjusted annual income of £12,475 or less is funded and £22,325 or more is not. In between, a fuller test applies, with a disposable income limit of £3,398
Crown Court: household disposable income of £37,500 or more rules you out for a trial. Below that you may have to pay contributions of 90% of disposable income for up to 6 months, refunded with 2% interest if you're found not guilty
Under 18s: since 3 August 2023, young people aren't means tested for criminal advice and assistance or advocacy assistance
Your solicitor checks whether you qualify and makes the application. Many Liverpool firms do both legal aid and private work, so ask at the first contact how your case would be funded.
Sentencing, guilty pleas and the 2026 changes
If you plead guilty, the Sentencing Council's guideline sets how much your sentence can be reduced, depending on when you do it.
When you plead guilty
Maximum reduction
At the first stage of proceedings
One third
After the first stage
One quarter
On the first day of trial
One tenth
During the trial
Normally less, and possibly none
Special rules apply to murder.
The Sentencing Act 2026 became law on 22 January 2026, and its changes are coming in stages.
22 March 2026: for adults, a prison term of 12 months or less must be suspended unless there are exceptional circumstances. This doesn't apply in some cases, for example if you're already in custody, the terms add up to more than 12 months, you breached a court order, or suspending would put a particular person at significant risk of harm
11 May 2026: the 12 month time limit for finishing unpaid work was removed, and probation can now end a community order early once you've completed its requirements
1 October 2026: most adults given a fixed term prison sentence are released automatically, on licence, at the one third point. Some offences are excluded, including manslaughter, rape, listed child sex offences and causing death by driving. People already in custody move across in stages up to 8 June 2027, and people already out on home detention curfew move across on 12 October 2027
1 October 2026: new community order requirements allow a court to ban you from driving, from attending public events or from entering pubs and bars
5 October 2026: a judge who finds that an offence involved domestic abuse must say so in open court
Criminal records and spent periods
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, most convictions become spent after a set period. Once spent, they don't show on a basic DBS check. For prison sentences the period runs from the end of the sentence, including any time on licence.
Outcome
Aged 18 or over
Under 18
Simple caution
Spent straight away
Conditional caution
After 3 months, or sooner if the caution ends earlier
Fine
12 months from conviction
6 months
Community order or youth rehabilitation order
On the last day the order has effect, or 2 years from conviction if the order has no end date
Prison of 1 year or less
12 months
6 months
Prison of more than 1 year and up to 4 years
4 years
2 years
Prison of more than 4 years
7 years
42 months
Some sentences are never spent, including life sentences and sentences of more than 4 years for serious violent, sexual and terrorism offences. Standard and enhanced DBS checks can show more than a basic check, including cautions.
Liverpool criminal law: common questions
Is a solicitor at the police station free?
Yes. Anyone questioned at a police station has the right to free legal advice. You can ask for the duty solicitor, who is available 24 hours a day and independent of the police, or for a solicitor you choose. For less serious matters the advice may be given by phone.
Do I need a solicitor for a voluntary interview?
You don't have to have one, but you're entitled to free legal advice, including by phone, and the police must tell you that. You can leave a voluntary interview at any time unless you're arrested. What you say can be used as evidence, so most people are better off getting advice first.
What does released under investigation mean?
You can go home and there are no conditions you have to follow, but the police are still investigating. They can arrest and charge you later. It's different from pre-charge bail, where you must come back to the station when told and may have conditions.
Can I choose a jury trial in the Crown Court?
For an either way offence, yes. If the magistrates think they can deal with it, they must explain that you can agree to be tried there or choose a Crown Court trial. The Government says its Courts and Tribunals Bill would remove that choice, but the Bill hasn't been passed, so it isn't law.
How much off my sentence will I get for pleading guilty?
Up to one third if you plead guilty at the first stage of proceedings, up to one quarter after that, and up to one tenth on the first day of trial. A guilty plea during the trial normally earns less, possibly nothing. Special rules apply to murder.
Will I go to prison for a short sentence?
Since 22 March 2026, if you're an adult and the court decides on a prison term of 12 months or less, it must suspend it unless there are exceptional circumstances. There are exceptions, for example if you're already in custody, you breached a court order, or a particular person would be at significant risk of harm.
Can I check a solicitor is properly regulated?
Yes. The SRA's Solicitors Register shows whether someone is a solicitor, where they work and whether the SRA regulates their firm. If something goes wrong, complain to the firm first. It has 8 weeks to sort it out, and then you can go to the Legal Ombudsman on 0300 555 0333.
