Legal aid where the client qualifies on means and the seriousness of the allegation, which the firm says it can assess. Private instructions also taken, with what the firm calls transparent fees. First contact by phone, email or online form.
Office
Fourth Floor, 44 Peter Street, Manchester M2 5GP
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Olliers is a Manchester criminal defence practice with a second base in Mayfair, led by managing director Matthew Claughton. Its work covers serious crime, sexual offences, domestic allegations, motoring cases, fraud and regulatory investigations, and it has dedicated pages on defending people with autism or ADHD. The firm says it takes legal aid where a client qualifies as well as private instructions. It suits anyone facing a serious or high profile allegation who wants a specialist crime team. First contact is by phone, email or an online form that asks about bail and court dates.
Also worth knowing
The firm says Matthew Claughton was named Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Criminal Lawyer of the Year in 2023.
Lawyers
The firm is based in Manchester with an office in London. Ask which lawyer will handle your case.
Legal aid for police station and court work through a dedicated legal aid line (03309 120 010). A private client criminal department takes privately funded cases. 24 hour line 0845 200 3367.
Office
63-65 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3HZ
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Tuckers is a national criminal defence firm, founded in 1983, with a Manchester office on Mosley Street and another in Bury. The firm says it has more than 150 lawyers and staffs its offices around the clock. The Manchester team includes Neil Hampson, Leigh Wright and Jill Eastwood, who all sit on the firm's Very High Cost Case panel. It takes legal aid and also runs a private client crime department. It suits people facing murder, drugs conspiracy or complex fraud charges, as well as more everyday allegations.
Founded in 1983
Also worth knowing
Partner Leigh Wright heads the firm's proceeds of crime and complex case unit, the firm says.
Lawyers
Leigh Wright, Partner, head of the proceeds of crime and complex case unit
Neil Hampson, Criminal defence solicitor
Jill Eastwood, Criminal defence practitioner
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station representation
Magistrates' Court defence
Crown Court trials
Murder and manslaughter
Sexual offences
Drug importation and supply
Fraud and white collar crime
Proceeds of crime and confiscation
Causing death by dangerous driving
Extradition
Private client criminal defence
Regulatory proceedings
Office
63-65 Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3HZ
Other details
Other offices
Bury (Imperial House, Hornby Street), plus more than 20 offices across England including London, Birmingham, Leeds and Liverpool
Lawyers available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the main number. The firm says it can act under legal aid, insurance backed funding or private funding. Callback requests taken online.
Office
Unit A, Madison Place, Northampton Road, Manchester M40 5AG
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Burton Copeland is a Manchester criminal defence firm that says it has defended people for more than 35 years. Senior partner Gwyn Lewis and managing partner Daniel Weed lead a team covering police interviews, the Magistrates' and Crown Courts, the Court of Appeal and pre charge work. It also handles fraud, confiscation, driving offences, professional discipline and inquests, and runs a youth crime department. The firm says its lawyers are available around the clock. Funding can be legal aid, insurance backed or private. It suits people who want an established local crime firm.
Also worth knowing
It has offices in north Manchester and Preston.
Lawyers
Gwyn Lewis, Senior Partner and Supervising Solicitor
Daniel Weed, Managing Partner
Suzanne Dooley, Partner and Supervising Solicitor
Elizabeth Ridgway, Partner and Supervising Solicitor
Claire Tapper, Partner, Chartered Legal Executive
Rob Moussalli, Senior Associate Solicitor, higher rights advocate, Head of Youth Crime
Sam Corcoran, Associate and Supervising Solicitor
Hinesh Chauhan, Solicitor
Nicola Cooney, Solicitor
Jack Ashworth, Paralegal and accredited police station adviser
Areas of criminal law handled
Police interview advice
Pre charge engagement
Magistrates' Court defence
Crown Court trials
Appeals and miscarriages of justice
Fraud and white collar crime
Money laundering
Confiscation and asset recovery
Driving offences
Youth crime
Professional discipline
Inquests
Office
Unit A, Madison Place, Northampton Road, Manchester M40 5AG
Police station representatives available 24 hours a day, all year. Out of hours emergency number 07836 574 607. Ask the firm about legal aid and private funding when you call.
Office
Wigan Investment Centre, Waterside Drive, Wigan WN3 5BA
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Stephensons is a large North West firm whose crime team works mainly from Wigan, with further offices in Manchester and Bolton. Managing partner Sean Joyce oversees the criminal team, which the firm says includes higher rights advocates. Its work runs from police station advice and youth cases to murder, drugs conspiracies, fraud, cryptocurrency crime and appeals. Police station representatives are on call day and night, with a separate out of hours number. It suits people in the west of Greater Manchester who want a large, well resourced crime team.
Also worth knowing
Senior associate Christine Hodge has more than two decades of police station work, the firm says.
Lawyers
The crime team works across the firm's offices, so ask which office will handle your case.
Sean Joyce, Managing Partner, oversees the criminal litigation team
Correna Platt, Co-leads the crime practice, fraud
Colin Rawson, Partner
Christine Hodge, Senior Associate, police station work
Duncan Phillips, Crime team
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station representation
Criminal investigations
Magistrates' Court defence
Crown Court trials
Youth court
Murder and manslaughter
Sexual offences
Drug offences
Fraud and cryptocurrency crime
Firearms and weapons offences
Motoring offences
Appeals
Office
Wigan Investment Centre, Waterside Drive, Wigan WN3 5BA
Other details
Other offices
Manchester (Brewery Yard, Trinity Way), Bolton, St Helens and London
Free legal aid advice at the police station. Further legal aid is means tested, so some clients contribute or pay privately. A private crime division takes privately funded cases. Criminal enquiries on 0800 689 3206, with police station support 24 hours a day.
Office
1 Balloon St, Manchester M4 4BE
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Forbes is a large North West firm with a Manchester office on Balloon Street and a crime department led by three named heads. Craig Liversidge runs Crown Court and serious crime, Craig MacKenzie the high profile and private crime division, and Daniel King business and financial crime. The firm covers everything from motoring offences to murder, with police station cover around the clock. It says it is approved to run Very High Cost Cases under legal aid and also acts privately. It suits people facing serious or financial crime allegations.
Also worth knowing
Police station support is offered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, according to the firm.
Lawyers
Ask which office will handle your case.
Craig Liversidge, Head of Crown Court and Complex and Serious Crime
Craig MacKenzie, Partner, solicitor advocate, Head of High Profile and Private Crime
Daniel King, Consultant, Head of Business and Financial Crime
Private funding only, no legal aid. Upfront quote at the initial consultation. Acquitted clients may be able to recover some costs through a defendant's costs order. Police station cover 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the main number.
Office
The Apiary, 86 Deansgate, Manchester M3 2ER
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Slater Heelis is a full service firm with a crime and regulatory team at its Deansgate office and in Sale, headed by managing partner Rachel Fletcher. It covers assault, sexual and domestic allegations, road traffic cases, fraud, cybercrime, youth crime and RSPCA prosecutions, and offers dedicated help for autistic clients and for foster carers facing allegations. The firm does not do legal aid and gives an upfront quote at the first consultation. It suits privately paying clients who want a city centre team that says it will attend the police station at any hour.
Also worth knowing
It does not offer legal aid and quotes fees upfront at the first consultation.
Lawyers
Rachel Fletcher, Managing Partner and Head of Crime and Regulatory
Mike Sophocleous, Partner
Hannah Costley, Associate Solicitor
Rachel Mason, Solicitor
Emily Wood, Solicitor
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station representation
Assault, ABH and GBH
Sexual offences
Domestic abuse allegations
Road traffic offences
Fraud
Cybercrime
Offensive weapons
Youth crime
RSPCA prosecutions
Defence for autistic clients
Allegations against foster carers and adoptive parents
Legal aid, with help applying, and privately funded representation. The firm says it gives clear advice on fees and costs for private clients. Police custody advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, on the main number.
Office
12 Oxford Court, Manchester M2 3WQ
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Draycott Browne is a Manchester criminal defence firm that says it was established in 1998 and only acts for the defence. Managing director Shaun Draycott and director Rob Mann lead its serious crime work, with Lorna Wincote heading lower crime. The team covers murder, drugs conspiracies, firearms, terrorism, fraud, sexual offences, motoring and appeals, and has a prison law and parole service. It takes legal aid and private work and says it gives police custody advice around the clock. It suits people facing serious charges who want a dedicated local defence firm.
Established in 1998
Also worth knowing
Its team includes a specialist proceeds of crime consultant and a prison law supervisor, according to the firm.
Lawyers
Shaun Draycott, Managing Director and Serious Crime Solicitor
Rob Mann, Director and Serious Crime Solicitor
Lorna Wincote, Senior Solicitor and Head of Lower Crime
Legal aid eligibility assessed first. Private clients offered fixed fees or a cost estimate. 24/7 line 07798 701339 for arrests, police station attendance and voluntary surrender only; the firm does not take instructions by WhatsApp or text.
JD Spicer Zeb is a London headquartered criminal defence firm with a Manchester office at Exchange Quay in Salford Quays. Its work leans towards serious cases: drugs, firearms and knives, murder, sexual offences, serious fraud and terrorism. A 24/7 mobile line covers arrests, police station attendance and voluntary surrender. The firm checks legal aid eligibility first and offers fixed fees or an estimate to people paying privately. Solicitor Rebecca Forbes is named as a Manchester contact. It suits people facing serious charges who want a firm with national reach.
Also worth knowing
Legal aid eligibility is checked first, with fixed fees or an estimate for private clients.
Lawyers
Senior partner Umar Zeb and managing partner Lisa Nicol lead the firm. Ask which lawyer will handle your case from the Manchester office.
Legal aid and private work. Free 24 hour police station emergency service on 0800 032 7005. Office open weekdays, with meetings outside office hours by appointment.
Office
1 Christie Way, Manchester M21 7QY
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Abbey Solicitors is a Manchester crime firm on Christie Way in M21, covering police station work, the Magistrates' and Crown Courts and appeals. It also takes serious and complex cases, including SFO, HMRC and CPS prosecutions, organised crime, terrorism, and proceeds of crime restraint and confiscation. The firm says it sits on the Very High Cost Cases panel. A free phone line is staffed 24 hours a day for police station emergencies. It takes legal aid and private work, and suits people facing a serious fraud, drugs or confiscation case.
Also worth knowing
It handles Proceeds of Crime Act restraint, confiscation and cash seizure work.
Free initial assessment on 0845 050 1958. 24 hour emergency line 01254 606050. Ask the firm about legal aid and private funding when you call.
Office
196 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WF
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Farleys is a Lancashire rooted full service firm with a Deansgate office in Manchester and a large criminal defence department. Its crime work runs from motoring, theft and assault to murder, terrorism, drug importation, extradition and cold cases. A separate fraud and business crime team covers confiscation, money laundering and FCA investigations. Partners Michael Corrigan, Nick Molyneux and Jane Chadwick are named on its Manchester crime page. There is a 24 hour emergency line and a free assessment line. It suits people facing serious crime or complex fraud allegations.
Also worth knowing
Its fraud and business crime team handles confiscation, restraint, money laundering and FCA investigations.
Lawyers
Ask which office will handle your case.
Michael Corrigan, Partner
Nick Molyneux, Partner
Jane Chadwick, Partner
Laura Murphy, Senior Associate
Areas of criminal law handled
Police station representation
Magistrates' Court defence
Crown Court trials
Court of Appeal
Murder and manslaughter
Terrorism
Drug importation and conspiracy
Extradition
Sexual offences
Motoring offences
Fraud and money laundering
Confiscation and restraint
Office
196 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3WF
Other details
Other offices
Wigan, Blackburn, Burnley, Clitheroe, Preston, Rawtenstall and London
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 Manchester 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. You can check any solicitor or firm on the SRA Solicitors Register.
No firm pays for its place on this list, and the order is our own.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws, court details and legal aid figures are as published on legislation.gov.uk, GOV.UK, the Sentencing Council and HM Courts and Tribunals Service in October 2026, and apply in England and Wales.
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. It's free. When you ask for advice, the police contact the Defence Solicitor Call Centre. You can ask for the duty solicitor, who is available 24 hours a day and is independent of the police, or for a solicitor you choose, such as one of the firms on this page. For less serious matters you may be offered advice over the 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." Whether to answer questions is exactly what to discuss with your solicitor first
Telling someone: you can ask for one person to be told where you are, at public expense
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 delay your access to a solicitor only for an indictable offence, with a superintendent's authority on set grounds, and for no more than 36 hours
Voluntary interviews: if you attend by appointment and aren't under arrest, you can leave whenever you choose unless you're arrested, and you're still entitled to free legal advice
How long you can be held. Normally up to 24 hours without charge, counted from when you arrive at the police station. A superintendent can extend that to 36 hours for an indictable offence. Beyond that, police need a warrant from a magistrates' court, and the total can't go past 96 hours. Terrorism and national security arrests have separate rules.
After the interview: charge, bail or release under investigation
When the interview is over, the police will usually do one of these:
Charge you. You may be released on bail to go to court, with conditions such as a curfew if police think you might commit another offence, fail to turn up at court or interfere with witnesses.
Release you on pre charge bail. This is where there isn't yet enough evidence to charge you, and you have to come back when asked
Release you under investigation. You go home with no conditions, but the investigation carries on and you could still be charged later
Offer a caution. For minor offences, if you admit it and agree. A caution isn't a conviction, but it can show on standard and enhanced DBS checks. A conditional caution comes with conditions, and you could be charged if you don't meet them
Pre charge bail
How long
Starting period
3 months (6 months in FCA, SFO, HMRC and NCA cases)
Extended by an inspector
Up to 6 months from the start
Extended by a superintendent
Up to 9 months
After 9 months
A further extension needs 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.
If you're charged and kept in custody, a court decides on bail. It can refuse bail where there are substantial grounds to believe you would 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. A solicitor can prepare your bail application, which is often the first thing that matters.
Which court hears your case in Manchester
Every criminal case starts in a magistrates' court. Where it goes next depends on the type of offence.
Type of offence
Where it's dealt with
Summary offences, such as most minor motoring offences
Magistrates' court. The maximum is 6 months' prison for a single offence
Either way offences, such as theft or burglary
Magistrates' court or Crown Court. Magistrates can give up to 12 months' prison for a single offence, a limit in force since 18 November 2024
Indictable only offences, such as murder, rape and robbery
Always sent to the Crown Court, where a jury decides guilt and a judge passes sentence
For an either way offence, if the magistrates agree to keep the case, you can choose to be tried there or elect trial by jury in the Crown Court. You can ask whether a prison or non prison sentence would be more likely if you pleaded guilty in the magistrates' court, though the court doesn't have to tell you. The Courts and Tribunals Bill, now in the House of Lords, would remove the right to elect, but it isn't law and the right still applies.
The Manchester courts
Manchester Magistrates' Court: Crown Square, Manchester, M60 1PR. Criminal cases and Single Justice Procedure cases
Manchester Crown Court (Crown Square): Courts of Justice, Crown Square, Manchester, M3 3FL. Criminal trials and sentencing
Youth cases for 10 to 17 year olds are heard in a youth court, a type of magistrates' court with no jury, where the public generally can't attend. Very serious youth cases go to the Crown Court. Your court papers will say which court to attend, wherever you are in Greater Manchester. Prosecutions here are run by CPS North West, which covers Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria.
Legal aid for criminal cases
Advice at the police station is free for anyone questioned there. For representation in court, you need to pass two tests: a means test and an interests of justice test.
Automatic on means: if you're on Universal Credit, Income Support, income based Jobseeker's Allowance, Guarantee State Pension Credit or income related Employment and Support Allowance
Magistrates' court: an adjusted gross income of £12,475 or less passes, £22,325 or more doesn't, and in between a full means test applies with a disposable income limit of £3,398
Crown Court: a household disposable income of £37,500 or more is ineligible. If your disposable income is above £3,398 but below £37,500, you pay 90% of your disposable income for up to 6 months. You may also have to pay from capital if convicted. Income contributions are refunded with 2% interest if you're found not guilty
Under 18s: since 3 August 2023 they aren't means tested for criminal advice and assistance
A solicitor can check whether you qualify. Many Manchester firms take both legal aid and private cases, and the listings above say which.
Income figures are as published by GOV.UK in October 2026.
Sentencing, guilty pleas and the Sentencing Act 2026
The Sentencing Council's guideline sets the credit for a guilty plea. The earlier you indicate it, the bigger the reduction.
When you indicate a guilty plea
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
Less again, possibly none
Murder has its own rules. The Sentencing Act 2026 became law on 22 January 2026, and parts of it are now in force:
From 22 March 2026: for adults convicted on or after that date, where a suspended sentence is available, a prison sentence of 12 months or less must be suspended unless there are exceptional circumstances. It doesn't apply where you're already in custody, consecutive terms add up to more than 12 months, you offended while under a community order or suspended sentence order, the offence is closely connected with breaching a court order, you're being re-sentenced for an offence covered by such an order, or suspending would put a particular person at significant risk of harm
From 11 May 2026: no 12 month time limit to finish unpaid work, and community orders and suspended sentence supervision can be ended early by the probation officer once you've complied with the requirements and met your sentence plan objectives
From 1 October 2026: new community order requirements, including bans on driving, attending public events and entering pubs or bars
From 1 October 2026: for most adults serving a standard fixed length sentence, the automatic release point moved to one third, from 40% or 50%. Some offences are excluded, including manslaughter, rape and many other sexual offences, child cruelty and other offences against children, causing death by driving, genocide and war crimes. Prisoners already serving a sentence on 1 October 2026 move across in stages up to 8 June 2027, and those out on licence with a curfew condition on 12 October 2027
From 5 October 2026: judges must say in open court when an offence involves domestic abuse
Criminal records and when they're 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 time on licence.
Outcome
Spent after (18 or over)
Spent after (under 18)
Fine
12 months from conviction
6 months
Community order
On the last day it has effect, or 2 years from conviction if it has no end date
On the last day it has effect, or 2 years from conviction if it has no end date
Prison of 1 year or less
12 months
6 months
Prison over 1 year and up to 4 years
4 years
2 years
Prison over 4 years
7 years
42 months
A simple caution is spent straight away, and a conditional caution after 3 months. Some sentences are never spent, including life sentences and sentences over 4 years for serious violent, sexual or terrorism offences. A basic DBS check shows unspent convictions and unspent conditional cautions. Standard and enhanced checks can also show cautions.
Manchester criminal law: common questions
Is a solicitor at the police station really free?
Yes. GOV.UK says you have the right to free legal advice if you're questioned at a police station. You can ask for the duty solicitor, who is available 24 hours a day, or a solicitor of your choice. This applies to voluntary interviews too.
Should I answer questions in a police interview?
You don't have to say anything, but the caution warns it may harm your defence if you don't mention something you later rely on in court. The right answer depends on the evidence, so speak to a solicitor in private before the interview starts.
What does released under investigation mean?
You're free to go home with no conditions, but the police are still investigating and you could be arrested and charged later. It's different from pre charge bail, which usually lasts 3 months at first and means you must come back when asked.
Can I choose a jury trial?
For an either way offence, yes, you can still elect Crown Court trial. The Courts and Tribunals Bill would remove that right, but it is still going through Parliament and isn't law. Summary offences stay in the magistrates' court, and indictable only offences always go to the Crown Court.
How much time can magistrates give?
Up to 6 months' prison for a single summary offence and up to 12 months for a single either way offence. The 12 month limit has applied since 18 November 2024.
Will I go to prison for a short sentence?
Since 22 March 2026, for adults convicted on or after that date, a prison sentence of 12 months or less must be suspended where a suspended sentence is available, unless there are exceptional circumstances. There are exceptions, such as already being in custody, offending while under a community order or suspended sentence order, an offence closely connected with breaching a court order, or a significant risk of harm to a particular person.
How long do I have to appeal a magistrates' court decision?
You usually need to appeal to the Crown Court within 15 working days of being sentenced. A late appeal has to explain the delay, and the Crown Court may not consider it.
