Blog
Points of public order
Edward Jones
Our criminal law team includes specialist police station advisers. Our reputation is based on over 80 years of providing quality assistance to our clients, protecting their rights and interests, holding the police to account, and striving for the best result.
We are top ranked in the legal directories and were Firm of the Year: Crime, Fraud and Licensing 2021. Our experience in guiding clients through the options before them is second to none.
We are proactive in achieving the best results for our clients. Contacting us as soon as you become aware of a police investigation increases the opportunity to resolve the matter quickly and discreetly.
An interview at a police station is a stressful and worrying experience and it is essential that you are aware of your rights. We seek to avoid an arrest, thereby protecting you from the potentially onerous consequences that flow from it, such as retention of your biometric data on the Police National Computer, oppressive bail conditions and restrictions on your travel.
There is a myth that those who attend the police station with a lawyer only do so because they are guilty. In fact, those who have the benefit of legal advice are more able to make the right decision about whether and how to answer questions. Those that have a lawyer are much less likely to be taken advantage of. What happens at the police station can dictate how well you are able to defend the case later if it develops. It also means you have a better chance of bringing the investigation to a conclusion sooner rather than later.
Many people, when faced with police questioning, attend on their own, believing they can talk their way out of the situation and leave as quickly as possible. This is rarely the best long term strategy. Our aim is to help you to stop, think and give the best account of yourself.
Sometimes the best advice is to decline to answer questions, at least until further information is provided as to the case against you; or alternatively sometimes it may be better to produce a written statement setting out your case in a clear and structured way. Even if you decide to answer questions, you will want to think carefully in advance about the issues with which you will have to deal. Our lawyers are adept at getting to the crux of the matter and advising you about what evidence you will need to defeat the allegations.
Further information
If you have any questions or require police station representation or advice, please contact a member of our criminal litigation team.
Our experienced defence lawyers are available 24 hours a day. We are able to attend the police station when you need us. Our presence at the police station throughout the period of your detention ensures that the police deal with your case expeditiously and in accordance with the law.
We are ranked in Band 1 for General Crime by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500.
The ‘first-rate’ team at Kingsley Napley LLP is ‘efficient, strategic, committed and able to handle the most complex of criminal cases as well as more general crime cases’. It advises corporations and individuals on sexual offences, violent crimes, drug offences, firearms offences, extradition and high-profile matters with an international element."
Legal 500 UK
They very much embrace the need to look at the whole situation; they look at the media exposure - for people in the public eye and for a particular type of high net worth individual, that's very important and I've seen them handle that side of things very well. They're one of those few firms that would give clients a genuine round-the-clock service, seven days a week"
Chambers High Net Worth Guide
WHAT CLIENTS AND DIRECTORIES HAVE SAID
They are very good at client care, going above and beyond to make sure everything is thought through. They provide a top class, all-round service to clients."
Chambers UK 2025
'The practice has a wider range of support and skill sets available and is very adaptable as the nature of an engagement changes. They are able to field a multidisciplinary team to ensure they deploy the right strength and depth of expertise as an engagement requires.'
Legal 500
In dealing with the firm, every aspect was outstanding and of the highest quality."
Chambers UK
Kingsley Napley has real strength and expertise at all levels of the crime group. The team is hard-working, focused on getting results and yet maintains the human touch."
Legal 500 UK
They are able to draw on expertise across the firm to provide a seamless service - if you are facing criminal allegations they can also handle the media, as well as any employment issues or regulatory proceedings that may arise."
Chambers UK
The ‘first-rate’ team at Kingsley Napley LLP is ‘efficient, strategic, committed and able to handle the most complex of criminal cases as well as more general crime cases’. It advises corporations and individuals on sexual offences, violent crimes, drug offences, firearms offences, extradition and high-profile matters with an international element."
Legal 500 UK
Leading criminal team that demonstrates impressive strength in depth across a broad range of cases. Regularly acts on high-profile cases involving well-known public figures. Highly recommended for its handling of complex murder charges and historic sexual abuse investigations."
Chambers UK 2019, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
They stand out because of their ability to stop a case before it gets started. Their commitment, preparation and tenacity set them apart. They are a strong firm."
Chambers UK 2018, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
They pick up some fantastic work, they have some fantastic clients and they have a skill of trying to get rid of matters before they go too far."
Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2018
Their reputation as being the pre-eminent solicitors in this market is deserved. They are justifiably instructions in infamous, heavyweight cases and I can't imagine that anyone is ever dissatisfied with the service they receive."
Chambers UK 2017
The crime team is first rate. They are dedicated, hard working and tireless in their preparation of cases."
Chambers UK 2017
"It is an excellent firm - the level of preparation for cases is just fantastic."
Chambers UK, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
''...Kingsley Napley LLP’s ‘high-end practice’ is part of the firm’s criminal law team, and able to draw on this expertise to handle enforcement actions for its individual and growing corporate client base...''
Legal 500 UK
"Kingsley Napley is pre-eminent at what it does: high-end, complex criminal work for high-profile individuals."
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession
"One of the most highly regarded criminal defence firms, noted for its high-profile mandates from media organisations and sports professionals."
Chambers UK, A Clients Guide to the UK Legal Profession
First class in terms of client care, as well as its thorough and meticulous approach to case preparation, both at pre-charge and at trial."
Legal 500 UK, 2017
They are determined to do the best for their clients at all times and leave absolutely no stone unturned. It is a brilliant defence firm."
Chambers UK 2016, A Client's Guide to the UK Legal Profession
Nicola Finnerty
Partner
Jonathan Grimes
Partner
Sandra Paul
Partner
Ed Smyth
Partner
Will Hayes
Legal Director
Gemma Tombs
Legal Director
Matthew Burn
Senior Associate
Anna Holmes
Senior Associate
Edward Jones
Senior Associate
Maeve Keenan
Senior Associate
Áine Kervick
Senior Associate
Rebecca Smart
Senior Associate
Sophie Tang
Senior Associate
Emily Elliott
Associate
Fiona Haddadeen
Associate
Laura Kruczynska
Associate (CILEx Lawyer)
Leena Lakhani
Associate (Barrister)
Simran Tatla
Associate
Alice Trotter
Associate
The KN team are one of the best known, oldest and highly regarded teams in this area of work. They get first rate work and deliver excellent results."
Legal 500 UK 2021
The lawyers on the crime team are relentlessly good at what they do. They have a collaborative approach and are incredibly thorough and detailed in their work."
Chambers UK 2021
Highly collaborative and team based in everything they do. Friendly and down to earth while also being world class. Uniquely able to bring together the brightest and the best but without being pompous or superior in their attitude. Great listeners, hard workers and tactically the best in the business."
Legal 500 UK 2021
A dynamic team that shows good attention to detail."
Chambers UK 2021
KN are exceptional in almost all categories! They are streaks ahead of everyone else and provide a very high level of service. If I were in trouble that’s where I would go. I like the fact they are genuinely committed to providing excellence even on less lucrative cases or on cases of less seriousness. They completely get how serious every case is for a client . They unfailing do the very best for their clients."
Legal 500 UK 2021
Latest blogs & news
Preparing for changes to non-disclosure agreements from 1 October 2025
In June the Ministry of Justice announced new legislation under the Victims and Prisoners Act 2024 which affects NDAs and confidentiality clauses.* Related guidance, published at the beginning of June, sets out the impact of this legislation on the enforceability of such agreements.
OfS Condition E6: a first step towards a unified approach to harassment and sexual misconduct, but does it go far enough?
In July 2024 the Office for Students (OfS) published guidance on a new condition of registration dealing specifically with harassment and sexual misconduct. That condition, ‘E6’, comes into force on 1 August 2025. As such, universities and colleges have had a year to ensure they comply.
Adolescence: The ordinary family’s worst nightmare
As we await the release of the Netflix series Adolescence this evening by award winning writer Jack Thorne, I am interested to see how the series will deal with very real, yet often publicly unheard problems of how our criminal justice system, in particular the police, manage children who are alleged to have committed serious offences.
Sir Brian Leveson’s review of the courts
Whatever its cause, a backlog of over 73,000 Crown court cases is not acceptable. Delays for complainants, defendants and witnesses all impede justice. In the third quarter of 2024, the Crown court received over 31,683 new cases and disposed of 29,502. The passage of time will not solve the problem. Change is inevitable.
Tackling the regulation of sexually explicit deepfakes
Artificial intelligence, and its use on social media, is making it continuously harder to distinguish between real and fake information online. Although fact checking is often required when considering written or spoken words, with the advent of so-called “deepfakes”, we now also need to fact check some of the images or videos we see online.
I am the victim of sextortion - what should I do?
Sextortion is a form of blackmail where victims receive threats that intimate images of them will be shared or distributed unless they meet the blackmailer’s demands to pay money (or other financial demands). Law enforcement agencies have reported an epidemic of such cases with global figures “more than doubling” in 2023. This reported increase is reflected in the number of clients seeking our advice on how to deal with this particularly distressing form of criminality.
Disclosure under the microscope
Mr Jonathan Fisher KC’s ongoing Independent Review of Disclosure & Fraud Offences recently published its “Preliminary Findings & Direction of Travel” report for part one of the review, which relates to the criminal disclosure regime. The report can be found here.
New sentencing guidelines are now in force
On 1 April 2024, a number of new and amended sentencing guidelines came into effect, following publication of the results of a consultation by the Sentencing Council which ran during Autumn 2023.
First cyber-flashing conviction under the Online Safety Act 2023
In a landmark case, Nicholas Hawkes, from Basildon, Essex, has become the first person to be convicted and imprisoned in England and Wales for the criminal offence of cyber-flashing. This historic verdict marks a significant moment in the life of the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA), which aims to combat digital harassment and safeguard online communities.
Policing the metaverse: the reality of virtual sexual offences
The police are undertaking the first reported investigation into a “virtual rape”, which is said to have taken place in the metaverse. This case brings to the forefront a number of questions around the adequacy of the UK’s current legislation surrounding sexual offences, and whether it can cater to behaviours taking place in the metaverse.
Expansion of the disregards and pardons scheme for historic same-sex sexual activity convictions
In a long-overdue announcement by the Home Office, women who were in the past unjustly convicted of same-sex consensual sexual activity will be able to apply for their convictions to be disregarded or pardoned for the first time. This is a significant step forward for queer rights in the UK.
Does anyone care about us?
Research reveals overwhelmingly negative experiences of the care system for victims and perpetrators of youth violence.
In March 2023, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) commissioned research on the lived experiences of those who have committed – or experienced – serious youth violence. The findings were published alongside HMICFRS’s report into the policing of these issues and as cross-disciplinary calls increase for a rethink of how serious youth violence is tackled. In a follow-up to his previous blog, Paul Egunjobi looks at the findings.
The impact and future of violence reduction units
On 8th March 2023, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) published a report examining how well the police tackle serious youth violence. We look at the report and one of the issues it has highlighted: how Violence Reduction Units (VRUs) are used, and how effectively the police work with VRUs and other partner organisations.
In the wrong place at the wrong time
Long delays are an all-too familiar part of the criminal justice system. As highlighted in the recent case of BH v Norwich Youth Court, those delays can have a significant impact on young people, particularly when a defendant turns 18 during the long process. An imminent change in the law may improve the situation but there are wider issues to be solved, too. Partner Sandra Paul and paralegal Emma McGrath look at the issues.
Joint police and FCA action underlines law enforcement attention on cryptoasset activity
Amid increased focus on the regulation of cryptoassets in the UK, law enforcement agencies have carried out unprecedented raids targeting illegally-operated cryptocurrency ATMs.
Consent – a missed opportunity for an important discussion
Channel 4’s, Consent, appeared to be a show with something to say; a show that would draw attention to the complexity of sexual allegations involving school aged children as well as the emotional trauma for all caught in its wake.
The Online Safety Bill: What do the latest updates mean for companies and senior managers?
The Online Safety Bill hit the headlines last week, following its third and final reading in the House of Commons on 17 January 2023. Since its early stages the Bill has provoked an ongoing debate between social media safety groups, who call for the law to do more to protect children, and civil liberties campaigners, who argue that the proposed legislation impinges on the freedom of speech. The latest proposed amendment would make senior managers criminally liable for platforms’ persistent failure to protect children online. Magda Zima considers the potentially wide-ranging impact of this amendment on both companies and senior individuals.
A new police approach is needed to tackle overwhelming delays to digital forensics
A damning report published by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has found police forces to be “overwhelmed and ineffective” in relation to digital forensics. The HMICFRS found that there were more than 25,000 devices waiting to be examined – and this is without taking into account all the devices already in the system.
My child has a conviction for a sexual offence, what happens next? Notification requirements and ancillary orders for children convicted of a sexual offence
This blog follows the virtual launch of the Youth Justice Legal Centre Legal Guide on children facing sexual offences. During this event, Maeve Keenan discussed Kingsley Napley's contribution to the report, including recommendations on how to appropriately handle these complex cases and protect the child's welfare.
Help! The police are arresting my child …
It’s the knock on the door that parent fear, or is it just me? Thankfully, the Courts have provided some valuable guidance about this nightmare scenario.
There are many reasons the police may want to speak to your child, but few occasions where the reason might be urgent enough to justify an unannounced visit and an arrest.
You may also be interested in:
Police Station Representation and Advice Insights
Blog
Being accused of sexual misconduct when you are a child
Sandra Paul
Blog
Drones – the ultimate or problematic Christmas gift?
Sandra Paul
