Legal aid and privately funded work. Out of hours police station line on 0808 274 8226, open 24 hours. Office calls 9.30am to 5.30pm, with a call back form online.
Office
180 North Gower Street, London NW1 2NB
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Hodge Jones & Allen is one of the biggest names in London criminal defence, founded in 1977 and based at Euston. The crime department is led by partner Raj Chada and covers everything from a first police interview to murder, terrorism, protest cases and appeals. It still does a lot of legal aid work alongside private cases, and has a dedicated youth team. Its 2025 takeover of Birds Solicitors added a south London base in Wandsworth. There is a 24 hour police station line, and calls are taken in office hours too.
Founded in 1977
Also worth knowing
It runs a specialist youth team and a 24 hour police station line.
Lawyers
Raj Chada holds the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation, according to the firm's website.
Raj Chada, Partner, Head of Criminal Defence, Financial Crime and Regulatory
Kerry Spence, Partner, Deputy Head of the Crime Team, leads serious and complex crime
Ruth Harris, Partner, Head of Financial Crime and Regulatory, Higher Court Advocate
Mike Schwarz, Partner, criminal defence
Caroline Liggins, Partner, criminal defence
Steven Bird, Consultant, criminal defence
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station advice
Magistrates' court defence
Crown Court trials
Murder and homicide defence
Terrorism defence
Fraud and money laundering
Protest and public order
Youth crime
Driving offences
Extradition
Criminal appeals
Court martial
Office
180 North Gower Street, London NW1 2NB
Other details
Other offices
Wandsworth (The Gatehouse, 1 Armoury Way, SW18), Stratford (415 High Street, E15) and Orpington, the last two by appointment
Privately funded only. The firm says it does not give advice in this area under legal aid. Enquiry form online, and 020 7814 1200 works as a 24 hour helpline for urgent matters.
Office
20 Bonhill Street, London EC2A 4DN
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Kingsley Napley is a large London firm with one of the best known private criminal practices in the country. Partner Jonathan Grimes heads the criminal litigation department, which splits into general crime and white collar work. On the general side it handles police interviews, sexual offences, serious motoring cases, youth cases and violent crime. It does not take legal aid, so it suits people paying privately who want a big, polished team. The main number doubles as a 24 hour helpline for urgent matters.
Also worth knowing
The firm says it does not act on legal aid in this area.
Lawyers
Jonathan Grimes, Partner, Head of Criminal Litigation
The firm says its work is mainly privately funded. Office hours line on 020 7702 5331 and out of hours emergency line on 020 7702 5349.
Office
Pennybank, 33-35 St John's Square, London EC1M 4DS
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Hickman & Rose was set up in Hackney in 1991 by Ben Rose and Jane Hickman as a criminal defence firm, and now works from Clerkenwell. Today its focus is privately funded serious and general crime and business crime. Jenny Wiltshire heads the serious and general crime team, which takes on sexual offences, murder, motoring, cybercrime and cases involving children. The business crime side handles fraud, bribery and SFO work. It suits people who can fund their defence and want a specialist team. There is an out of hours emergency line.
Founded in 1991
Also worth knowing
Kate Goold rejoined as a partner in April 2025, according to the firm.
Lawyers
Jenny Wiltshire, Partner, Head of Serious and General Crime
Ben Rose, Founding Partner
Peter Csemiczky, Partner, serious and general crime
Kate Goold, Partner, serious and general crime
Rose Commander, Partner, serious and general crime
Ross Dixon, Partner, business crime
Andrew Katzen, Partner, business crime
Anna Jemmison, Senior Associate
Areas of criminal law handled
Police investigations and interviews
Ending an investigation before charge
Sexual offences defence
Murder and manslaughter
Motoring offences
Cybercrime and online offences
Children accused of crime
Criminal appeals
Extradition
Fraud and bribery
SFO, HMRC and NCA investigations
Office
Pennybank, 33-35 St John's Square, London EC1M 4DS
Legal aid available, and the firm can advise on eligibility. Private funding too, with fixed fee packages where possible. 24 hour line on 07841 454 170 for people in custody.
Office
11 Burford Road, Stratford, London E15 2ST
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Edward Fail Bradshaw & Waterson has defended clients in the East End since Charles Bradshaw opened on East India Dock Road in 1887. It is now a criminal defence firm based in Stratford with a second office in the City. It takes on everything from police station work to murder, terrorism and fraud, under legal aid or privately. The firm says every team member is an accredited police station representative. It suits east Londoners who want an experienced local team, and it has a 24 hour line for anyone in custody.
Founded in 1887
Also worth knowing
It shows Legal 500 2026 top tier and Chambers and Partners 2026 rankings.
Lawyers
Edward Preston, Criminal defence solicitor
Paul Harris, Criminal defence solicitor, serious crime
Legal aid (means tested, and the firm helps with applications) and private funding. Police station advice is free for anyone arrested or interviewed as a volunteer. 24 hour line on 0845 200 3367.
Office
39 Warren Street, London W1T 6AF
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Tuckers is a large criminal defence firm with its head office on Warren Street and five more offices around London. Managing partner Barry Tucker founded it, and the firm calls itself the UK's leading criminal law firm. It says it acts for over 15,000 clients a year and sees more suspects in police custody than any other firm in England and Wales. It does legal aid and private work, with in-house barristers and solicitor higher court advocates. It suits anyone arrested in London who needs fast help, day or night.
Also worth knowing
Kelly Thomas is a higher rights advocate and police station accredited, according to the firm's website.
Legal aid and privately funded cases. 24/7 arrest line on 020 7481 9157, plus email and an online form.
Office
2-5 Minories, London EC3N 1BJ
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Sonn Macmillan Walker is a criminal defence firm near Tower Hill, founded in 1992 by David Sonn and now run by managing director Euan Macmillan. It works on both legal aid and private cases, from police station advice to homicide, organised crime and complex fraud. It is also known for extradition, where head of department Katy Smart is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers, the firm says. Driving cases and youth work are part of the mix too. The 24 hour arrest line is the main number.
Founded in 1992
Also worth knowing
It takes both legal aid and privately funded cases.
Legal aid, private and third party funded clients. Out of hours emergency line on 020 7305 5638.
Office
236 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8HB
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Bindmans is a King's Cross firm known for civil liberties work, and its crime, fraud and regulatory team is headed by partner Katie Wheatley. The team covers homicide, terrorism, drugs, sexual offences, road traffic and youth crime, as well as fraud, extradition and appeals. It also acts for journalists, protesters and high profile clients. Clients come through legal aid, private funding or third parties such as employers. Its youth work extends to diversion and the knock-on effects of a caution. There is an out of hours emergency number.
Also worth knowing
It acts on legal aid as well as private and third party funded cases.
Lawyers
Katie Wheatley, Partner, Head of Crime, Fraud and Regulatory
Tayab Ali, Deputy Managing Partner, crime, fraud and regulatory
Itpal Dhillon, Senior Supervisor, crime, fraud and regulatory
Legal aid for clients who qualify, plus privately funded and alternatively funded work. Urgent help button on the website. Office hours 9am to 5pm weekdays.
Office
2a Melbourne Grove, East Dulwich, London SE22 8PL
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
GT Stewart was founded in 2003 by Greg Stewart and has grown into a legal aid firm with seven offices across London, from East Dulwich and Woolwich to Barnet and Hammersmith. Crime sits alongside housing, family and civil liberties work. The criminal team covers police stations, youth crime, motoring, sexual offences, appeals and extradition, with in-house Crown Court advocacy led by partner Ronnie Manek. It suits people across south and outer London who qualify for legal aid, though private funding is offered too.
Founded in 2003
Also worth knowing
The site shows the Law Society's Criminal Litigation and Lexcel accreditations.
Lawyers
Greg Stewart, Founding Partner and Senior Solicitor, criminal defence and appeals
Ronnie Manek, Partner, Barrister and Head of Crown Court Advocacy
Melanie Krudy, Partner and Higher Court Advocate
John Molleskog, Salaried Partner and Joint Head of Extradition
Harry Charalambous, Joint Head of City of Westminster Crime
Claire Dissington, Supervising Solicitor, criminal defence and youth crime
Legal aid for eligible clients at the police station, magistrates' and Crown Court, plus private and premium private defence. 24/7 emergency line on 07836 577556 for arrests and voluntary surrender only.
Office
The White House, 6 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3RA
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
JD Spicer Zeb is a crime led firm that has moved its London head office to Bedford Square in Bloomsbury after many years in Kilburn. It says it has advised on criminal cases for over 49 years. Managing partner Lisa Nicol heads crime and serious cases, while senior partner Umar Zeb leads private client crime. It handles legal aid cases at the police station and in court, alongside private work, and instructs King's Counsel on serious trials. Emergency mobile lines cover arrests and voluntary surrender.
Also worth knowing
It offers legal aid at the police station, magistrates' and Crown Court.
Lawyers
Lisa Nicol, Managing Partner, Head of Crime and Serious Cases
Umar Zeb, Senior Partner, Head of Private Client Crime
James O'Donnell, Partner, crime serious cases
Sanjay Cholera, Partner, crime advocacy
Philip Spicer, Former Partner, Senior Consultant
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station advice
Bail applications
Magistrates' and youth court
Crown Court trials
Murder and manslaughter
Drug offences
Firearms and knife crime
Sexual offences
Terrorism
Serious fraud and money laundering
Motoring offences
Extradition
Office
The White House, 6 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3RA
Other details
Other offices
West Hampstead (immigration), Birmingham and Salford Quays
Legal aid for police station advice regardless of means. Court work publicly or privately funded. Private fees for pre-charge work. 24 hour police station line on 020 3865 5403.
Office
2 Langley Lane, London SW8 1GB
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Commons is a not for profit criminal defence firm based in Vauxhall, run as a co-operative community interest company. Co-founders Sashy Nathan and Rhona Friedman are solicitors there, and Adeela Khan and Rosie Worster are managing directors. It covers police station work, the magistrates', youth and Crown Courts, and appeals to the Court of Appeal and the CCRC. A crisis navigation service helps clients with housing, health and other needs alongside their case. It suits people who want a defence team that looks at the whole person.
Also worth knowing
Police station advice is legal aid funded for everyone, the firm notes.
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 London that do criminal defence as a main part of their work. For each one we read the firm's own website in October 2026, checked it says it is regulated by the SRA, and wrote the description 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 described is for England and Wales as published on legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK, the Sentencing Council and the Legal Aid Agency in October 2026.
At the police station: your right to free advice
If you're held at a police station, you're entitled to speak to a solicitor in private at any time if you ask. The advice is 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 of your choice. For less serious matters, such as being disorderly, you may be offered free advice by phone instead.
Delay: the police can hold back access to a solicitor only for an indictable offence, with a superintendent's authority and on set grounds, such as a risk to evidence. You must be allowed a solicitor within 36 hours
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."
Someone told: 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 privately at any time
Voluntary interviews: if you attend without being arrested, you can leave whenever you choose unless you're arrested, and you must be told you can get free legal advice
Time held without charge
Who can authorise it
Up to 24 hours
The normal limit, usually counted from arrival at the police station
Up to 36 hours
A superintendent or above, for an indictable offence only
Up to 96 hours
A magistrates' court, on a warrant of further detention
Up to 14 days
Terrorism Act and National Security Act arrests only
After the interview: charge, bail or release
Once the police have enough evidence, the custody officer can charge you, release you on bail while prosecutors decide, or release you without charge. If there isn't enough evidence yet, you'll be released while the investigation carries on, either on bail or without bail. Release without bail is often called being released under investigation.
Pre-charge bail: since 28 October 2022 the first period is 3 months in most cases. An inspector can extend it to 6 months and a superintendent to 9 months. Longer extensions need a magistrates' court, or in a case the Director of Public Prosecutions designates as exceptionally complex, a very senior officer. In FCA, HMRC, NCA and SFO cases, a senior officer of that body can extend it to 12 months.
Cautions: for minor offences, police can offer a simple or conditional caution if you admit the offence and agree to it. A caution isn't a conviction, but it can show on standard and enhanced DBS checks, and breaking the conditions of a conditional caution can lead to a charge
Don't accept a caution without advice. It may look like the easy way out, but it goes on your record and can matter for some jobs.
Which court will hear your case in London
Every criminal case starts in a magistrates' court. Summary offences, the least serious, stay there. Indictable only offences, the most serious, such as murder, rape and robbery, always go to the Crown Court, where a jury decides guilt and a judge passes sentence. Either way offences can be heard in either court. If the magistrates think they can deal with an either way case, you can still choose a jury trial in the Crown Court.
Since 18 November 2024, magistrates can impose up to 12 months' prison for a single either way offence, and up to 6 months for a summary offence. Young people aged 10 to 17 go to a youth court, with no jury, and the public generally can't attend.
London has many magistrates' courts and Crown Courts. Check the court named on your charge or court paperwork. These are the central ones people most often deal with:
Court
Address
What it hears
Westminster Magistrates' Court
181 Marylebone Road, London, NW1 5BR
Criminal cases, including Single Justice Procedure cases
Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey)
Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7EH
Serious criminal trials and sentencing
Southwark Crown Court
1 English Grounds (off Battlebridge Lane), Southwark, London, SE1 2HU
Criminal trials and sentencing
Snaresbrook Crown Court
75 Hollybush Hill, Snaresbrook, London, E11 1QW
Criminal trials and sentencing
The Courts and Tribunals Bill, now in the House of Lords, would remove the right to choose a jury trial for either way offences. It is not law, and the right still applies today.
Legal aid for criminal cases
Advice at the police station is free for anyone being questioned. For representation in court, you pass the legal aid means test automatically if you're under 18 or on certain benefits. Otherwise your solicitor checks whether you qualify. You also have to pass the interests of justice test.
Qualifying benefits: Universal Credit, Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, Guarantee State Pension Credit and income related Employment and Support Allowance
Magistrates' court: adjusted gross income of £12,475 or less is funded and £22,325 or more is not. In between, a full means test applies with a disposable income limit of £3,398
Crown Court: you can't get legal aid for a trial if your household disposable income is £37,500 or more. Below that, you pay a contribution from income if your annual disposable income is over £3,398, and you may have to pay from capital if you're convicted and have more than £30,000
Under 18s: since 3 August 2023 they aren't means tested for advice and assistance
Not every firm does legal aid work. Several firms on this list take legal aid cases, while Kingsley Napley and Hickman & Rose describe their criminal work as privately funded.
Sentencing, guilty pleas and the 2026 changes
If you plead guilty, the Sentencing Council guideline gives a reduction of up to one third when you indicate the plea at the first stage, up to one quarter after that, and up to one tenth on the first day of trial. A plea during the trial usually earns less, and possibly nothing. Murder has its own rules.
The Sentencing Act 2026 became law on 22 January 2026. These parts are in force:
From 22 March 2026: for adults convicted on or after that date and given 12 months or less in custody, the court must suspend the sentence unless exceptional circumstances justify not doing so. The rule doesn't apply where you're already in custody, the terms passed together total more than 12 months, you offended while on a community order or suspended sentence order, the offence is closely connected with breaching a court order, or suspending would put a particular person at significant risk of harm
From 22 March 2026: bail courts must consider whether a defendant is pregnant, a primary carer or a victim of domestic abuse
From 11 May 2026: unpaid work no longer has to be finished within 12 months, and the probation officer can end a community order early once every requirement has been met
From 1 October 2026: new community order requirements, including bans on driving, attending public events and entering drinking establishments. The rehabilitation activity requirement is now the probation requirement
From 1 October 2026: most adults on standard fixed term sentences are released automatically at the one third point rather than at 40% or 50%. Some offences are excluded, including manslaughter, rape and many other sexual offences, offences against children, child cruelty and causing death by driving. People already serving sentences move across in stages up to 8 June 2027, and people on a curfew licence on 12 October 2027
From 5 October 2026: judges must say in open court when an offence involves domestic abuse
Criminal records and when convictions are spent
Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, most convictions become spent after a set period and then generally don't have to be disclosed. For prison sentences the period runs from the end of the sentence, including any time on licence.
Outcome
Spent after (18 or over)
Spent after (under 18)
Simple caution
Straight away
Straight away
Conditional caution
3 months, or when it ends if earlier
3 months, or when it ends if earlier
Fine
12 months from conviction
6 months from conviction
Community order or youth rehabilitation order
The end date in the order, or 2 years from conviction if it has no end date
The end date in the order, or 2 years from conviction if it has no end date
Custody of 1 year or less
12 months
6 months
Custody over 1 year, up to 4 years
4 years
2 years
Custody over 4 years
7 years
42 months
Some sentences are never spent, including life sentences and sentences over 4 years for listed serious violent, sexual and terrorism offences. A basic DBS check shows unspent convictions and conditional cautions. Standard and enhanced checks can also show cautions.
London criminal law: common questions
Is the duty solicitor free?
Yes. Legal advice at the police station is free for anyone being questioned. 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 some less serious matters the free advice may be given by phone.
Should I answer questions in a police interview?
You don't have to say anything. But the caution warns that it may harm your defence if you don't mention something you later rely on in court. Whether to answer depends on the evidence, which is why it's worth speaking to a solicitor before the interview starts.
How long can the police keep me without charge?
Usually up to 24 hours. A superintendent can extend that to 36 hours for an indictable offence, and a magistrates' court can extend it further, but never beyond 96 hours. Terrorism and national security arrests can run to 14 days.
What does released under investigation mean?
It means you've been let go without charge and without bail while the police carry on investigating. There are no bail conditions, but the case isn't over and you could still be charged later. If you're released on pre-charge bail instead, the first period is usually 3 months.
Can I get legal aid for court?
You pass the means test automatically if you're under 18 or on a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit. Otherwise it depends on a means test and the interests of justice test. In the magistrates' court, adjusted gross income of £22,325 or more rules you out.
Will I go to prison for a short sentence?
Not usually, if you're convicted on or after 22 March 2026. Where an adult is given 12 months or less, the court must suspend the sentence unless there are exceptional circumstances or an exception applies, such as offending while on a community order or a significant risk of harm to a particular person.
How do I check a solicitor is genuine?
Search the SRA's Solicitors Register, which shows whether someone is a solicitor, where they work and whether the SRA regulates the firm. If you have a complaint, raise it with the firm first. After 8 weeks, or once you have its final response, you can go to the Legal Ombudsman on 0300 555 0333.
