Crime: Legal Aid Specialists | UK

ABV Solicitors is an established South East outfit with a solid presence in London, handling exclusively criminal law for both public and privately funded cases. The team regularly represents clients facing high-level charges including murder and terrorism and also has considerable experience in serious sexual offences, including historic allegations and large-scale child abuse networks. It has further expertise in matters with multi-jurisdictional aspects, such as modern slavery cases and drugs importation.

Bark&co adeptly handles the full spectrum of serious crime, from violent and sexual offences through to international criminal law matters. The firm advises clients facing charges of murder and attempted murder as well as tackling large drugs supply cases and other matters related to organised crime. It also regularly handles cases concerning well-known figures in the entertainment world. The team undertakes both legal aid and privately funded work.

Edward Fail Bradshaw & Waterson is highly regarded for its dedicated criminal law practice and commitment to legal aid work. The firm demonstrates expertise across the breadth of complex criminal cases, including historic sexual abuse investigations and gang-related crime. The team handles matters ranging from large-scale drug supply cases to firearms offences and murder charges, and is also renowned for its experience in advising on youth crime.

GT Stewart has an extensive criminal practice that houses a strong bench of solicitor advocates. It takes on a significant proportion of legal aid work and is also highly experienced in appellate criminal proceedings. The team advises on drugs supply, joint enterprise murder and other charges related to organised crime. It frequently acts for juvenile offenders and other vulnerable clients, including those with mental health issues.

Hodge Jones & Allen is a well-respected criminal defence practice that is noted for its specialist handling of cases involving high-profile political protests and public order offences. The firm's expertise covers all areas of serious crime, including child sexual offences, drugs conspiracy and murder charges. The firm has a general legal aid practice and regularly acts for vulnerable defendants, including those with mental health issues and neurodivergence. The team also benefits from the firm's complementary strengths in extradition law and human rights matters.

ITN Solicitors is a well-respected firm that frequently handles cases of significant political sensitivity, drawing on notable expertise in human rights law. It has extensive experience in complex cross-border investigations into charges of terrorism and drugs supply as well as domestic matters such as gang-related crime and homicide. The team has a notable focus on legal aid work and is also regularly instructed to handle criminal appellate matters.

Shaw Graham Kersh houses a strong bench of experienced criminal practitioners who act extensively for both private and publicly funded clients. They are adept at handling matters concerning complex criminal conspiracies, including people trafficking, gang-related violence and large-scale drug investigations. The team also demonstrates expertise in cases that involve young defendants as well as those with mental health issues.

Sonn Macmillan Walker is a specialist criminal defence firm advising on a wide range of cases, including murder, sexual offences and terrorism charges. The team fields extensive expertise in Crown Court, Magistrates' Court and police station work. It also has complementary expertise in extradition matters. The team undertakes both privately funded and legal aid cases.

Stokoe Partnership Solicitors is a dedicated criminal defence boutique noted for its expert handling of serious crime cases, including murder, armed robbery, drugs importation and FGM charges. It also advises on organised crime investigations as well as matters relating to cybercrime and hacking. The team acts for both privately funded and legal aid clients and has further strength in handling criminal appellate work.

Stuart Miller specialises in criminal defence work from police station representation through to the Magistrates' and Crown Courts, with notable commitment to legal aid cases. The firm represents clients on all manner of serious criminal matters, including homicides, gang-related violence, sexual offences and drugs supply.

TV Edwards has a criminal defence practice that handles a wide array of complex and serious cases concerning homicides as well as violent and sexual assaults. The team is well equipped to advise on matters involving organised crime activity, including drugs supply and people trafficking. The firm is committed to legal aid work and has experience representing young offenders and vulnerable individuals, such as clients with significant mental health issues.