Shaw Graham Kersh

Managing Partner: Raymond Shaw

Partner: Madeleine Corr

Number of partners: 2

Assistant solicitors (including consultants): 8

Other fee earners: 4

Total: 12

Total staff (including administrative support): 8

THE FIRM Based in Central London, Shaw Graham Kersh is a leading criminal defence firm committed to providing the highest quality representation, irrespective of a client’s background or history. Their solicitors understand that however serious or minor the offence, for the individual involved in the criminal justice system, the experience can be traumatic. Their approach therefore combines pragmatic expertise with sensitivity and total discretion.

Established in 1999, offering specialist criminal defence services, the firm benefits from a wealth of experience from its partners, solicitors and paralegals, a number of whom have been with the firm from shortly after its inception. At Shaw Graham Kersh, whenever possible, the same solicitor retains conduct of a client’s case from the police investigation stage through to trial, providing continuity, security and a first-rate service.

The firm quickly gained recognition as a leading firm in the field and has been recommended in Chambers and Partners for many years. It is now one of the few firms in Chambers ’top rankings still offering legal aid services alongside privately funded representation, offering a safety net and continuity of representation to clients unsure as to their ability to fund a case to conclusion.

PRINCIPAL AREAS OF WORK The firm undertakes all work associated with criminal law but has an established reputation in particular with regard to very serious criminal offences, such as terrorism, murder, fraud and large-scale drug trafficking.

Shaw Graham Kersh’s well-established fraud and economic crime department has represented clients in respect of mortgage and VAT fraud, carousel/MTIC fraud, carbon credit and boiler room fraud, film tax fraud, money laundering, pension fraud, revenue and tax fraud, as well as election fraud. These cases are typically investigated and prosecuted by specialist fraud units including the Serious Fraud Office, HM Revenue & Customs, serious fraud crime units of the police and CPS, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Competition and Markets Authority, and other regulatory authorities.

-The firm has significant experience of conducting complex restraint and confiscation proceedings.

-The firm defends professionals within regulatory proceedings, focusing on those who face potential criminal liability.

-The firm has particular expertise in homicide cases with indepth knowledge of murder investigations built over decades, from the initial days of Operation Trident, as well as NCA investigations, the Specialist Crime Directorate teams based at Scotland Yard and Organised Crime Command operations. A parallel expertise has been established in the difficult cases involving child and infant deaths and psychiatric homicides.

-The firm has a wealth of experience in defending clients accused of being involved in large scale drug conspiracies, from international smuggling operations through to ‘County Lines’ cases and EncroChat investigations.

-The firm is versed in the delicate task of defending the ever-growing number and range of allegations of historic sexual assault and human trafficking.

-The firm retains an extradition department that has been involved in precedent setting cases.

-The firm maintains strong connections with family law firms dealing with international child abduction/Hague Convention matters and domestic violence allegations.

-The firm is linked to a US legal agency providing expert assistance on any aspect of US law.

-Shaw Graham Kersh represent clients accused of the most serious offences but also acts for clients accused of driving offences, low level assaults and other matters which can be resolved in the magistrates’ court.

CLIENTS The firm’s diverse client base ranges from those who have never previously found themselves involved in the criminal justice system, to those with extensive experience. The firm’s representation therefore extends from those alleged to be sophisticated fraudsters, or hardened gang members and what the police term ‘Organised Crime Groups’, to those, including professional clients, facing a sometimes terrifying process for the first time. A significant proportion of these clients are referred by counsel, law firms and accountants, who welcome the firm’s expertise, commitment to client care and passion to achieve the best possible result for each client.