Your first port of call should be a solicitor, who will deal with the immediate consequences of your contact with police or social services, and then organise contact with a barrister who will represent you in court. Unless you are legally aided, you will have to pay for their assistance from your own funds. You cannot usually contact your barrister directly, unless they can provide what is known as a ‘direct access service’. Your solicitor should also have a 24-hour on-call service just in case the police come knocking at an awkward hour, which they will often do. Make sure you and your loved ones have a note of their 24-hour support number.
Below, is accused.me.uk‘s list of legal advice services. We do not endorse these practices, and you approach them at your own risk. Some advertise with us (marked with a *), and some provide members of our Facebook forum with limited legal advice.
If you would also like to advertise your practice here, please email us.
National
Freemans Solicitors*
Freemans is an established London-based practice, with a significant expertise in sexual allegations. Their expert team is led by Michael Field and Kishoree Kotecha-Pau, and includes Deborah Hogg, Vanessa Mistry and 24-hour Police Station Advice Co-ordinator, Harvey Fox, a contributor to the accused.me.uk forum
Contact on crimelawyers@freemanssolicitors.net or 020 7935 3522
They may be contacted via crimelawyers@freemanssolicitors.net, or on 020 7935 3522. If you need emergency help, have been arrested or are worried that you, or someone you know, may be arrested, or require emergency police station advice, they are available 24/7 on 07973 259382”
Richard Nelson LLP*
With offices in Nottingham, London, Cardiff, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds, they specialise in general Criminal Defence and specifically, allegations of Sexual Offences. They operate a 24-hour emergency contact number on 0845 216 2000.
Chris Saltrese Solicitors
Chris Saltrese is based in Southport and specialises in cases involving historical allegations 01704 535512
London & South East
Accused.me.uk recommends:
Harvey Fox at Freemans Solicitors. Police Station Advice Coordinator – also provides some contact via our FaceBook forum: 07973 259382 (24 Hours) harvey.fox@freemanssolicitors.net
Greg Powell: PSP law in Kilburn
Jae Carwardine at Russell Cooke in Wimbledon
Midlands
Richard Etherington*, Solicitor and Jacqui Callan*, Associate Solicitor at Richard Nelson LLP*
Keith Astbury at Glaisyers Solicitors (Legal aid and private clients)
South West
Exeter
Nunn Rickard Legal aid and private clients – recommended for trial
Bristol
Ian Kelcey of Kelcey & Hall – recommended for trial
Gloucester
Tim Burrows of Rowbis Solicitors LLP, Morroway House, Station Road, Gloucester GL1 1DW
North
FDR Law – Gary Heavan recommended by one grateful member
Wales
Swansea
Daniel Griffiths of Wilson, Devonald, Griffiths, John Solicitors
John Hipkin of Iscoed Chambers. Counsel instructed by the above solicitors
Recommended barristers
London
Paul Jarvis “a very able and skilled advocate who can make his point clearly and succinctly to both judge and jury”
Ian Way Recommended as a good trial barrister
Private Investigators
Anderson Chance – London based firm of PIs
Computer and Phone Forensics
Afentis – Forensic scientists & law society certified expert witnesses