Criminal Defence and Police Investigations

Assault, Murder and Other Crimes Involving Violence

Our outstanding criminal defence lawyers will guide clients accused of violent offences and murder through the options available to them and advise them on the best course to take.

Our criminal law team includes specialist solicitors and police station advisers.  Our reputation is based on over 75 years of providing the highest quality advice and representation to our clients: protecting their rights and interests, holding the police to account and striving to get the best result.

Court proceedings

For those new to the criminal justice system, the structure and proceedings at court can be opaque and intimidating. Our team, who are experienced in dealing with matters at all levels of the court structure, can guide you through the process.

Please see our brief guide to the court system.

Criminal Records

Any professional, businessperson or student who has been convicted of or cautioned for a criminal offence, or who has been arrested or the subject of a police investigation, will understandably be concerned about how this can affect their future. Such events can have serious implications for those who work, or plan to work, in regulated sectors or who need to travel abroad.

We can advise on whether and when disclosure should be made, and assist with representations to, and challenges to the decisions of, regulators, professional membership and licensing bodies, employers, the Police, the Disclosure and Barring Service (‘DBS’), the Information Commissioner’s Office and immigration authorities.

Harassment and Other Familial Allegations

Our criminal law team includes specialist police station advisers.  Our reputation is based on over 75 years of providing the highest quality advice and representation to our clients: protecting their rights and interests, holding the police to account, and striving to get the best result.

Charges relating to domestic abuse or harassment can bring with them a particular kind of stigma, whether they concern allegations of physical violence against an adult or a child.

The Crown Prosecution Service describe domestic abuse cases as amongst the highest priority work dealt within the criminal justice system. The legal landscape is constantly evolving, with new offences such as non-fatal strangulation and suffocation, controlling and coercive behaviour and ‘revenge porn’ being increasingly charged, alongside assault, harassment and stalking.

Police Station Representation and Advice

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 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.

Sexual Offences

Clients accused of or connected with sexual offences face unique challenges. The social stigma and publicity surrounding such cases involves dealing with extreme perspectives, heightened emotions and complex, life changing decision making. Our unrivalled experience in dealing with the highest profile and most sensitive cases of this type enables us to provide expert advice and support to both individuals and companies when they need it most.

We fight our client’s corner in a tenacious yet discreet way. Our priority is always to obtain the best possible outcome whilst limiting any reputational damage.

Whether you are an individual facing an allegation; a victim or witness who would like assistance in navigating the court process; or an organisation that requires advice regarding offences which may have been committed by your employees, Kingsley Napley has an unparalleled team of practitioners who specialise in this area.

Youth Crime and the Law

Our experienced youth crime lawyers are committed to understanding your child and finding a solution that protects their reputation.  Applying the law to children and young people is a specialist area of law.  We have considerable experience and demonstrated success in ensuring that their age, lack of willingness to communicate and curiosity are not misinterpreted as illegality.

A call to say your son or daughter is in trouble with the law is something every parent fears.  We understand that young people make mistakes and that immaturity sometimes results in errors of judgement.  We believe that such misjudgements should not result in a permanent mark against a young person’s character.

Our youth crime lawyers are formally trained and experienced in building rapport and trust with your child so that they feel confident in giving instructions and understanding the advice they receive.  We view you as an essential partner in the process and value your input in resolving your child’s case.

Recent Work

Examples of work and clients our criminal litigation lawyers have include representing:

• High profile individuals relating to historic sex offences and #MeToo allegations
• An individual facing #MeToo allegations and becoming a victim of blackmail
• A high profile individual facing potential criminal liability in the UK for US data breaches
• An individual prosecuted for causing death by dangerous driving
• An individual subject to police investigation relating to harassment causing psychological injuries
• An internationally-recognised artist investigated for domestic assault
• An individual charged with and investigated for conspiracy of rape
• A partner in an international law firm facing accusations of sexual misconduct in the workplace
• A youth charged with attempted murder while under the influence of drugs
• An individual convicted of rape in an appeal against conviction based on disclosure issues

If you are accused of a criminal offence or you have any questions, please contact a member of our criminal litigation team or call us on 020 7814 1200 to speak with us in confidence.