Top 15 Criminal Solicitors in London: Serious Crime & Appeals Specialists

Finding the right criminal solicitors in London when facing serious charges can make the difference between conviction and acquittal, between harsh sentencing and reduced penalties. Whether you’re dealing with allegations of fraud, murder, sexual offences, drug trafficking, or seeking to overturn a wrongful conviction through the appeals process, you need experienced criminal defence solicitors who understand the complexities of serious crime law.

London houses some of the UK’s most distinguished criminal law firms, consistently ranked by Chambers UK and Legal 500 for their expertise in defending serious criminal charges and conducting appeals. These firms represent everyone from high-profile individuals and celebrities to ordinary citizens facing life-changing accusations. They provide 24/7 police station representation, expert Crown Court advocacy, and specialized appeals work at the Court of Appeal.

This comprehensive guide examines the top 15 criminal solicitors in London who specialize in serious crime and appeals, analyzing their expertise, track record, notable cases, and what sets them apart in this competitive legal landscape.

Understanding Serious Crime Defence in London

Before exploring the leading firms, it’s important to understand what constitutes serious crime in the UK legal system. Serious criminal offences typically include murder and manslaughter, serious sexual offences, large-scale drug trafficking, organized crime, terrorism offences, serious fraud and white collar crime, and complex financial crimes including money laundering.

These cases demand specialist criminal defence solicitors with deep knowledge of criminal law, extensive courtroom experience, and the ability to handle high-pressure situations where reputations, liberty, and livelihoods hang in the balance.

The Importance of Appeals Specialists

Criminal appeals provide a vital safeguard against miscarriages of justice. Appeals specialists work to overturn unsafe convictions or reduce excessive sentences by identifying legal errors, procedural irregularities, or presenting fresh evidence. The Court of Appeal process requires different skills than trial advocacy, and the best appeals solicitors in London understand how to construct compelling legal arguments that convince appellate judges.

Top 15 Criminal Solicitors in London

1. Kingsley Napley LLP

Kingsley Napley stands at the pinnacle of criminal defence law in London. Ranked Band 1 by both Chambers UK and Legal 500, this prestigious firm has been involved in many of the UK’s most significant criminal cases over the past 50 years.

Areas of Expertise:

• High-profile murder and manslaughter defence
• Historic sexual abuse investigations
• Complex white collar crime and fraud
• International extradition matters
• Criminal appeals and miscarriage of justice cases

The firm’s criminal litigation team is led by senior partners including Sandra Paul and John Harding, who are recognized as market leaders in the field. Kingsley Napley provides strategic advice while maintaining exceptional discretion for high-profile clients. Their ability to keep sensitive matters out of the public eye makes them particularly attractive to celebrities, politicians, and business leaders.

What sets Kingsley Napley apart is their “strength and expertise at all levels,” with a team that’s described as “hard-working, focused on getting results” while maintaining “the human touch.” They excel at cases with multi-jurisdictional aspects and regularly defend cases involving notable public figures.

2. BCL Solicitors LLP

BCL Solicitors is an outstanding firm specializing in the defence of high-profile private clients. The firm handles highly complex cases involving personalities from the sports, entertainment, medical, business, and political worlds.

Core Specialties:

• Sexual offences defence
• Drug trafficking cases
• Violent crime allegations
• Professional misconduct matters
• Appeals against conviction and sentence

Described as “an absolute powerhouse” and “the go-to firm for anything crime related,” BCL’s team includes leading practitioners Rachel Hubbard, Paul Morris, Ellen Peart, and David Hardstaff. The firm is particularly noted for handling cases where reputation management is crucial alongside the legal defence.

BCL has represented high-profile clients including Prime Minister Boris Johnson, demonstrating their ability to handle cases at the highest levels of public scrutiny. Their criminal defence solicitors are known for being “ferocious on behalf of their clients, commercially minded and forensic in their analysis.”

3. Hickman & Rose

Hickman & Rose has built an exceptional reputation for criminal appeals and miscarriage of justice cases. The firm has acted in some of the most significant wrongful conviction cases in recent UK history.

Notable Achievements:

• Quashing convictions of the “Oval Four” and “Stockwell Six”
• Overturning Stephen Simmons’ conviction
• Securing CCRC referrals in landmark cases
• Representing LIBOR and EURIBOR convicted individuals at the Court of Appeal

The firm’s criminal defence practice offers impressive strength in acting for high-profile individuals across murder, sexual abuse charges, and other serious allegations. Hickman & Rose also undertakes numerous pro bono miscarriage of justice cases, demonstrating their commitment to justice beyond commercial considerations.

Their appeals team excels at identifying trial irregularities and assessing whether fresh evidence could render a conviction unsafe. They work with specialist counsel who regularly appear at the Court of Appeal, High Court, and Supreme Court.

4. Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

Rahman Ravelli is recognized as “easily the best in the business” and “a genuine powerhouse in the field of crime and fraud” according to legal directories. This firm has a market-leading presence in both London and nationally, with particular strength in multinational and multijurisdictional investigations.

Key Practice Areas:

• Serious fraud and corporate fraud
• White collar crime defence
• Bribery and corruption cases
• Money laundering investigations
• Asset recovery and POCA proceedings
• International compliance and regulatory matters

Founded by leading figures Syedur Rahman and Aziz Rahman, the firm is known for its innovative, proactive approach to defending professionals and senior business figures. They regularly go up against the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), National Crime Agency (NCA), HMRC, DOJ, and SEC.

Rahman Ravelli’s success in negotiating Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) and handling cross-border corruption investigations worth billions of dollars makes them a first choice for complex international criminal matters.

5. Stokoe Partnership Solicitors

Described as “one of the leading defence firms in the country,” Stokoe Partnership handles a broad range of serious and organized crime cases. The firm is particularly expert at cybercrime and hacking matters.

Specializations Include:

• Cybercrime and computer hacking defence
• Serious Fraud Office investigations
• National Crime Agency cases
• HMRC tax fraud investigations
• Serious organized crime
• Financial crime and money laundering

Partners including Bambos Tsiattalou (founder), Amjid Jabbar, Brian Swan, and Ernest Aduwa are highly regarded in criminal defence circles. The firm is noted as being “tough and fearless” with lawyers who “instill confidence.”

Stokoe Partnership’s expertise in EncroChat investigations and digital evidence cases makes them particularly valuable in modern criminal prosecutions where technology plays a central role.

6. GT Stewart Solicitors & Advocates

GT Stewart has an extensive criminal practice with a strong bench of solicitor advocates, making them capable of handling cases from police station through to the Court of Appeal.

Practice Highlights:

• Drugs supply and trafficking
• Joint enterprise murder cases
• Organized crime allegations
• Juvenile offender representation
• Mental health and vulnerability expertise
• Criminal appeals and CCRC applications

The firm takes on significant legal aid work while also representing private clients. Greg Stewart supervises the criminal appeals team, bringing over 25 years of experience in appellate litigation. The firm is particularly strong at defending vulnerable defendants, including those with mental health issues and neurodivergence.

GT Stewart’s commitment to legal aid ensures access to top-quality criminal defence regardless of a client’s financial circumstances, though they also provide excellent service to private clients.

7. Bark & Co Lawyers

Bark & Co has established a nationally recognized track record in defending white collar crime allegations and complex fraud cases. The firm is described as a “top-rated criminal defence law firm” with best-in-class lawyers.

Core Competencies:

• Criminal fraud defence
• Money laundering allegations
• HMRC tax investigations
• SFO prosecutions
• FCA regulatory matters
• International fraud cases

The firm’s criminal defence solicitors are known for achieving outstanding outcomes in cases prosecuted by the Serious Fraud Office and Financial Conduct Authority. They handle both high-profile media-covered cases and UK-only prosecutions with equal expertise.

Bark & Co provides free initial case reviews and operates a 24/7 helpline for immediate representation at police stations nationwide, ensuring clients receive expert advice from the earliest stages of an investigation.

8. Corker Binning

Corker Binning’s serious crime practice frequently handles murder, manslaughter, and drug offences, with extensive experience representing high-profile clients including major media and political figures.

Areas of Expertise:

• Murder and manslaughter defence
• Misconduct in public office
• Historic sexual offences
• Complex extradition matters
• Politically sensitive cases
• Cases involving foreign nationals

Edward Grange is particularly renowned for his extradition expertise, described as having “real depth of experience in the defence extradition world.” The firm is known for treating “clients as individuals rather than money-spinners” and providing “straight-talking, honest, knowledge-based advice.”

Corker Binning secured the first ever authority on the offence of controlling and coercive behaviour, demonstrating their ability to break new legal ground. Partner Jessica Parker is highly regarded for her “expert handling of tax and banking cases.”

9. Hodge Jones & Allen

Hodge Jones & Allen has a well-respected criminal defence practice noted for specialist handling of cases involving high-profile political protests and public order offences.

Specializations:

• Political protest and public order cases
• Child sexual offences
• Drug conspiracy charges
• Murder allegations
• Criminal appeals representation
• Human rights violations

The firm has a general legal aid practice and regularly acts for vulnerable defendants, including those with mental health issues and neurodivergence. Partner Raj Chada acted in the high-profile “Stansted 15” case at the Court of Appeal, dealing with complex international human rights law.

Partner Caroline Liggins specializes in appeals against conviction, having secured significantly lower sentences than expected and successfully pursuing appeals in serious cases including murder convictions at the Old Bailey.

10. ITN Solicitors

ITN Solicitors is a leading specialist in criminal defence and human rights law, handling cases of significant political sensitivity with notable expertise in cross-border matters.

Key Practice Areas:

• Terrorism-related allegations
• Gang-related crime and homicide
• Complex fraud cases
• Business crime including bribery and corruption
• Criminal appeals
• Human rights law

Managing partner Nadeem Thanvi has “in-depth knowledge of all aspects of terrorism law,” while Simon Natas is described as “a leading solicitor in protest law.” The firm’s lawyers have been recognized as Lawyers of the Week in The Times and Law Society Gazette.

ITN’s commitment to human rights principles means they often take on challenging cases involving alleged state misconduct, making them a natural choice for politically sensitive matters.

11. Tuckers Solicitors LLP

Tuckers Solicitors is a well-known criminal defence practice experienced in both privately funded and legal aid work, with an established reputation for serious crime cases.

Practice Focus:

• Murder and serious violence
• Terrorism offences
• Fraud and bribery
• Historic sexual assault allegations
• Drug trafficking
• Organized crime

Led by Richard Egan (described as “excellent”), along with Jim Meyer and Sarnjit Lal, Tuckers has built a strong reputation for handling the most serious criminal allegations. The firm’s extensive experience with both legal aid and private work ensures they can represent clients regardless of financial circumstances.

12. Lewis Nedas Law

Lewis Nedas Law are London-based solicitors frequently rated in both Chambers UK and Legal 500. Their criminal appeals team has extensive experience defending high-profile cases and serious complex prosecutions.

Specializations Include:

• Criminal appeals and miscarriage of justice
• “Fresh evidence” appeals (cold cases)
• Complex criminal prosecutions
• Police station representation
• Crown Court defence
• Court of Appeal representation

The firm is particularly skilled when dealing with appeals where new evidence has emerged that could render a conviction unsafe. Partners Siobhain Egan and Keith Wood lead the appeals practice, with solicitor Laura Saunsbury noted for her expertise in firearms licensing matters.

13. Berkeley Square Solicitors

Berkeley Square Solicitors is a boutique law firm founded by three of London’s leading criminal law solicitors: Roger Sahota, Daniel Godden, and Goran Stojsavljevic, bringing over 20 years of combined legal experience from Chambers and Legal 500 ranked firms.

Areas of Practice:

• Serious crimes defence
• Tax evasion and fraud
• Drug trafficking cases
• Internet crime (stalking, hacking, copyright infringement)
• Malicious allegations defence
• Extradition matters
• Confiscation law

Unlike larger firms, Berkeley Square provides partner-level support throughout case resolution. Their five-star reviews and case results demonstrate their commitment to securing the best possible outcomes. The firm’s expertise in high-profile drug trafficking cases and international law matters makes them particularly valuable for complex, serious allegations.

14. Olliers Solicitors

Olliers Solicitors is nationally recognized as an outstanding criminal defence law firm with offices in Manchester and London. Ranked as a top tier firm by both Legal 500 2026 and Chambers Guide 2026, they won the Manchester Legal Awards Crime Team of the Year eight times since 2011.

Core Expertise:

• Corporate and financial fraud
• Regulatory offences
• Serious crime defence
• Sexual offences
• Professional discipline
• Asset recovery and POCA
• Appeals to Court of Appeal

The firm’s team of 29 experienced criminal defence lawyers specializes in a proactive approach to the investigative stage, focusing on pre-charge engagement and discretion. Their formidable reputation for “nipping investigations in the bud” makes them an excellent choice when allegations first emerge.

15. Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is a top-tier criminal appeals solicitor firm ranked in Legal 500, providing both legally aided and private client advice on all Court of Appeal matters.

Practice Areas:

• Appeals to the Court of Appeal
• Criminal Cases Review Commission applications
• Crown Court defence
• Serious criminal allegations
• White collar fraud work
• Miscarriage of justice cases

Duncan Lewis’ criminal defence lawyers have acknowledged expertise in representing clients wishing to appeal convictions or sentences, including preparing evidence that may not have been available during trial. They understand the importance of the appeals process and work to achieve the best possible outcome in applications to the Court of Appeal.

The firm also handles cases where trials were not run properly, sentencing was outside guidelines, or human rights breaches occurred, making them comprehensive in their appeals expertise.

How to Choose the Right Criminal Solicitor in London

When facing serious criminal charges or considering an appeal, selecting the right legal representation is crucial. Consider these factors:

Experience and Specialization: Ensure the firm has specific experience with your type of case. Serious fraud solicitors have different expertise than those specializing in violent crime or sexual offences.

Track Record: Look for firms with proven success in similar cases. Check their rankings in Chambers UK and Legal 500, which provide independent assessments of legal expertise.

Availability: Criminal matters often require immediate attention. Choose firms offering 24/7 police station representation if you’re at risk of arrest.

Resources: Complex cases require substantial resources. Larger firms may have more extensive support teams, while boutique firms often provide more personalized attention.

Legal Aid or Private Funding: Determine whether the firm accepts legal aid if you qualify, or whether they work on private client terms.

Chemistry and Communication: You need to trust and communicate effectively with your solicitor. Initial consultations can help assess whether you’re comfortable with the firm’s approach.

The Criminal Appeals Process

Understanding the criminal appeals process helps you work effectively with your solicitor. Appeals from Magistrates’ Court decisions go to the Crown Court and must be lodged within 21 days. Crown Court appeals go to the Court of Appeal and require specific grounds showing the conviction was “unsafe” or the sentence was manifestly excessive.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) can refer cases back to the Court of Appeal if new evidence emerges or if there are concerns about a conviction’s safety. This provides an additional avenue for those who believe they’ve suffered a miscarriage of justice.

Appeals require different skills than trial work. The best appeals solicitors excel at legal analysis, identifying procedural errors, and presenting compelling written and oral arguments to appellate judges. They work closely with specialist appellate barristers who regularly appear before the Court of Appeal.

Recent Developments in Criminal Defence

The criminal justice system in England and Wales continues to evolve, with several recent developments affecting both defence work and appeals:

The backlog of Crown Court cases has reached over 73,000, creating significant delays for defendants and complainants. This puts additional pressure on criminal defence solicitors to manage client expectations while fighting for timely justice.

Technology and digital evidence play an increasingly central role in prosecutions. From EncroChat investigations to social media evidence, modern criminal defence lawyers must be tech-savvy and able to challenge digital evidence effectively.

Changes in joint enterprise law following the Supreme Court decision in R v Jogee have opened new appeal opportunities for those convicted under the previous, wider interpretation of joint enterprise liability.

Growing recognition of coercive control as a defense factor in domestic violence cases provides new grounds for appeals in appropriate cases, as demonstrated in the landmark Sally Challen case.

Understanding Legal Costs

Criminal defence costs vary significantly based on case complexity, the seriousness of charges, and whether you qualify for legal aid. Police station representation is typically free under legal aid for all suspects. Magistrates’ Court cases may be covered by legal aid if you pass means and merits tests.

Crown Court serious crime cases often qualify for legal aid, though means testing applies. However, many clients choose private representation for more control over legal team selection and for cases where legal aid isn’t available.

Private criminal solicitors in London typically charge hourly rates ranging from £200-£600+ depending on the solicitor’s seniority and the firm’s prestige. High-profile cases can run into hundreds of thousands of pounds, though many firms offer staged fee agreements allowing clients to budget appropriately.

For appeals work, costs depend on the appeal type and complexity. Some firms take on pro bono miscarriage of justice work, while others require full private funding.

The Importance of Early Legal Advice

Getting expert legal advice early can dramatically impact case outcomes. From the moment of arrest, everything you say and do can affect your case. Having experienced criminal defence solicitors represent you at the police station ensures you don’t inadvertently harm your defence.

Many serious criminal investigations can be influenced at the pre-charge stage. Proactive engagement with investigators, ensuring they only access evidence they’re entitled to, and making strategic representations can sometimes prevent charges from being brought at all.

For those already convicted, acting quickly on appeals is crucial. Time limits are strict, and delays can prejudice your appeal prospects. Early advice from appeals specialists helps you understand your options and act within necessary deadlines.

Conclusion

The top 15 criminal solicitors in London featured in this guide represent the pinnacle of criminal defence expertise in the UK. Whether you’re facing allegations of serious crime or seeking to overturn a wrongful conviction through the appeals process, these firms offer the experience, resources, and commitment necessary to achieve the best possible outcome. From Kingsley Napley’s market-leading position to boutique specialists like Berkeley Square, each firm brings unique strengths to criminal defence. The key is finding a firm whose expertise aligns with your specific needs, whether that’s white collar fraud defence, murder allegations, sexual offences, or complex appeals work. Remember that early legal advice is crucial in criminal matters, and all these firms offer initial consultations to discuss your case. With proper legal representation from experienced criminal defence solicitors in London, you can ensure your rights are protected and your defence is conducted to the highest professional standards.