Best Criminal defence - All Solicitors in England

Compare the best Criminal defence - All solicitors and lawyers in England, ranked by verified client reviews: 1,968 law firms, updated 29 October 2026.

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    • 10 questions answered
    • 71 legal firms matched Narrowed down from 305
    Showing 1–20 of 1,968 firms Ranked by client reviews

    Criminal defence covers the range of work done to protect someone facing criminal charges, from arrest and police station interviews to court appearances in magistrates’ and Crown Courts. A solicitor in this area handles early advice, bail applications, and plea decisions, and represents clients at trial, sentencing and any appeals. They review evidence, coordinate with the Crown Prosecution Service, gather alibis and witnesses, and prepare defences such as lack of state of mind or reasonable doubt. The aim is to secure the best possible outcome within the law.

    1

    Forbes Solicitors LLP

    Featured
    4.9 1,420 Reviews

    229 Criminal defence - All reviews 38 satisfied clients this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (140)Assault (28)Criminal Damage (8)

    Daniel King Leads the Criminal defence - All team Daniel King Head of Complex & Serious Crime 5.0 from 2 client reviews
    Chris BoothGareth PriceSimon GrettonDavid Scully Works with Chris Booth and 4 more

    Above average for expertise this year

    “Highly recommend Aisha for her professionalism and dedication. She represented me in an intricate case and demonstrated excellent legal knowledge, attention to detail, commitment and reassurance throughout. Her approach was thorough and consistent, and due to her expertise my case was successfully resolved. I am extremely grateful for her support and would not hesitate to recommend her services.”
    A client review matching your search · about Aysha Ali
    • Excellent communication
    • Very professional
    • Highly recommended
    • Speaks
    • Conveyancing Quality SchemeCriminal LitigationFamily Law AdvancedChildren Law
    2

    Bell Lamb & Joynson

    4.9 2,571 Reviews

    236 Criminal defence - All reviews 28 top marks for expertise this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (183)Assault (22)Legal aid (7)

    3

    Lawtons Solicitors Limited

    Featured
    4.9 697 Reviews

    75 Criminal defence - All reviews 31 satisfied clients this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (66)Sexual allegations including Rape and Sexual Assaults (3)

    Nick Titchener Leads the Criminal defence - All team Nick Titchener Managing Partner 5.0 from 2 client reviews
    Dawn McKnightLauren GilbertChristopher WilsonCrystal Plummer Works with Dawn McKnight and 4 more

    Above average for approachability this year

    “Stephen Halloran of Lawtons represented my son this year for a charge of affray. This was very distressing for the whole family and particularly for my 20 year old son. Stephen was amazing, treating him with the utmost respect and showing empathy for the unfortunate mess he had got himself into. Stephen's response time to all our numerous emails was excellent and when the case went to 3 separate court hearings Stephen attended to give morale support to us. He instructed a very good barrister on our behalf and arranged meetings beforehand for us to be familiar with how the system worked. What I was most impressed with was Stephen's manner and his way of talking to us in layman terms. He explained things really clearly and was not overly optimistic about the potential outcomes which was helpful. Hopefully we will never find ourselves in a similar situation but if we did we would definitely instruct Lawtons again. Thank you Stephen.”
    A client review matching your search · about Stephen Halloran
    • knowledgeable solicitor
    • professional service
    • caring approach
    • Speaks
    • Criminal LitigationThe Law SocietyLexcel - Practice Management StandardChambers UK Leading Firm 2026
    Free initial advice
    4

    Churchers Solicitors LLP

    4.8 2,185 Reviews

    245 Criminal defence - All reviews 19 top marks for expertise this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (177)Drugs offences (6)Assault (5)

    5

    Holborn Adams Limited

    5.0 525 Reviews

    230 Criminal defence - All reviews 29 satisfied clients this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (206)Sexual allegations including Rape and Sexual Assaults (5)Assault (4)

    6

    Abv Solicitors Limited

    5.0 654 Reviews

    589 Criminal defence - All reviews 14 top marks for expertise this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (197)Legal aid (370)Assault (15)

    7

    GT Stewart Limited

    Featured
    4.8 449 Reviews

    231 Criminal defence - All reviews 22 satisfied clients this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (133)Prison law (49)Assault (8)

    Sophie Smith Leads the Criminal defence - All team Sophie Smith Professional Head of Croydon Office 5.0 from 2 client reviews
    Nick De FreitasLisa LovellMelanie KrudyWilliam Russell Works with Nick De Freitas and 4 more

    Above average for expertise this year

    “I cannot thank Patricia Walker enough for the service, time and effort she gave me and my family. Nothing was to much for Patricia and everything she does is always for her clients. Would just like to say Thank you for everything you did for me.”
    A client review matching your search
    • Calming and empathetic
    • Efficient and responsive
    • Knowledgeable and professional
    • Speaks
    • Criminal LitigationMental HealthChildren LawThe Law Society
    Free initial advice
    8

    Elliot Mather LLP

    Featured
    4.8 637 Reviews

    60 Criminal defence - All reviews 17 top marks for expertise this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (51)Assault (3)Legal aid (3)

    Julie Page Leads the Criminal defence - All team Julie Page LLP Member and Head of Department
    Mark StocksGeorgina WrightClare JamesOrion John Works with Mark Stocks and 4 more

    Above average for client satisfaction this year

    “Georgina has been excellent in the support and help that she has given us. It has been a long and complicated process for us and she has be there all the way through. From the initial representation, she was professional, supportive, friendly, approachable, kind and compassionate. Always going the extra mile. She has chased things up many times on our behalf, under very difficult situations. She has kept us fully informed and always done what she said she would. I would have no hesitation in highly recommending her.”
    A client review matching your search · about Georgina Wright
    • Excellent communication
    • Quick responses
    • Professional service
    • Speaks
    • Conveyancing Quality SchemeCriminal LitigationFamily LawFamily Law Advanced
    Free initial advice
    9

    Tank Jowett

    5.0 306 Reviews

    299 Criminal defence - All reviews 74 satisfied clients this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (246)Drugs offences (17)Assault (15)

    10

    Stuart Miller Solicitors Ltd

    4.7 950 Reviews

    523 Criminal defence - All reviews 28 reviews this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (460)Prison law (7)Assault (6)

    11

    ABR Solicitors Limited

    4.9 419 Reviews

    401 Criminal defence - All reviews 38 top marks for expertise this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (355)Assault (18)Prison law (11)

    12

    Clifford Johnston & Co Limited

    4.9 866 Reviews

    112 Criminal defence - All reviews 11 satisfied clients this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (42)Legal aid (47)Assault (5)

    13

    Johnson Astills Solicitors

    4.9 881 Reviews

    162 Criminal defence - All reviews 15 would recommend them this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (111)Assault (6)Sexual allegations including Rape and Sexual Assaults (6)

    14

    Straw And Pearce Ltd

    Featured
    4.9 440 Reviews

    155 Criminal defence - All reviews 14 satisfied clients this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (39)Professional Conduct (75)Assault (9)

    Mark Wardley Leads the Criminal defence - All team Mark Wardley Director 4.9 from 1 client review
    Jamie SimnerDebbie HubbardLouise StephensHannah Spicer-Short Works with Jamie Simner and 4 more

    Above average for expertise this year

    “I was held on remand for 333 days on a 10 count indictment. Possible sentence was 3 Years instead I was released from court on a 30 month community order due to expert legal advice and skill of my lawyers and law firm.”
    A client review matching your search · about Clair Feliciant-Tabor
    • professional and polite
    • friendly and approachable
    • excellent communication
    • Speaks
    • Conveyancing Quality SchemeCriminal LitigationChildren LawThe Law Society
    15

    Gavin Edmondson Solicitors Limited

    5.0 2,266 Reviews

    221 Criminal defence - All reviews 4 reviews this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (178)Harassment (11)Criminal Damage (8)

    16

    Tuckers Solicitors LLP

    4.7 1,927 Reviews

    495 Criminal defence - All reviews 14 top marks for expertise this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (241)Assault (54)Legal aid (51)

    17

    Favell Smith & Lawson Limited

    5.0 207 Reviews

    187 Criminal defence - All reviews 38 satisfied clients this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (166)Assault (6)Legal aid (3)

    18

    Stryders Solicitors Limited

    Featured
    5.0 305 Reviews

    178 Criminal defence - All reviews 19 would recommend them this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (115)Assault (11)Legal aid (9)

    Vinesh Patel Leads the Criminal defence - All team Vinesh Patel Director/Solicitor 5.0 from 12 client reviews
    Tim ScarisbrickMatthew BlissAmeeta PatelAlicia Nottage Works with Tim Scarisbrick and 4 more

    Above average for communication this year

    “Ameeta Patel was extremely helpful and put our minds at ease with her very professional and helpful advice. She was very friendly and explained the process clearly which really helped us. I would absolutely recommend her. ”
    A client review matching your search · about Ameeta Patel
    • Excellent solicitor
    • Professional team
    • Clear communication
    • Speaks
    • Criminal LitigationThe Law SocietyThe Legal 500 UKChambers UK Leading Firm 2026
    Free initial advice
    19

    DPP Law Solicitors LLP

    4.7 293 Reviews

    87 Criminal defence - All reviews 19 satisfied clients this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (67)Assault (4)Legal aid (4)

    20

    Bhatia Best Limited

    4.8 421 Reviews

    96 Criminal defence - All reviews 19 top marks for approachability this year

    Reviewed for Criminal defence - All (75)Legal aid (6)Assault (3)

    Frequently asked questions

    How are these solicitors ranked?

    Rankings are worked out mainly from client reviews: the ratings clients give and how recent the reviews are, with reviews about Criminal defence - All counting most. We also take into account how much of a firm's work is in Criminal defence - All.

    How often are the rankings updated?

    Twice a week, every Thursday and Sunday, so new reviews are reflected quickly. This list was last updated on 29 October 2026.

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    Yes. Comparing firms, reading reviews and sending your case summary to the firms you choose is free.

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    How many Criminal defence - All solicitors are there in England?

    We have ranked 1,968 law firms for Criminal defence - All in England, listed in order on this page.

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