Birmingham Office

I contacted HA on 3rd June and they were very supportive. We received the instruction form quickly and Ara took our case. Our son was accused of a number of serious offenses and had been released on pre-charge bail pending further enquiries. Having never had any dealings of this sort previously, we were in complete turmoil. Ara made contact with us quickly and made us feel immediately that we had the best person to act on our behalf. Ara reassured us that she would do the very best to secure the outcome we hoped for and would be there to support us every step of the way. At times it felt as though we would not survive the horrendous situation we found ourselves in but Ara was always available by phone to reassure us and support us emotionally. We have felt that throughout our interactions with Ara, she genuinely cared about our case and our family. While it is tempting to try to get it all over with as quickly as possible, Ara worked diligently and meticulously to make sure our representations were as comprehensive and detailed as possible. We always felt that Ara was on our side, she has been the only respite and true guiding light in this awful situation. Ara has been incredibly professional, has managed our expectations and all the while made us feel that we are not just a case file. Thankyou Ara, for all that you have already done for us and for all you continue to do for us. Ara is a true credit to her profession and we will always be incredibly grateful.

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Ara Brace-Sartaj

David Rayner

19/08/2026

Hi Joanna, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. It means a great deal to hear how supported you and your family have felt throughout what has clearly been an incredibly difficult and worrying time. We know that when someone has never experienced the criminal justice system before, the uncertainty can be just as difficult as the allegations themselves. Making sure our clients and their families feel supported, informed and treated as people rather than simply another case is hugely important to us. Your comments about Ara are wonderful to read and are a real reflection of the care, time and attention she puts into her clients. We will make sure your feedback is shared with her and the wider team. Thank you again for trusting Holborn Adams to support your family, and for such kind words about Ara. Kind Regards, Holborn Adams

Interview by Ara Brace Sartaj was conducted in a very professional manner and all interactions were professional and helpful

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Ara Brace-Sartaj

David Rayner

17/08/2026

Hi Martin, Thank you for taking the time to leave this feedback. It’s great to hear that Ara made you feel supported throughout and that you found the whole experience professional and helpful. We’ll make sure your kind words are passed on to her! Kind Regards, Holborn Adams

Michael acted as my Solicitor this year in a criminal case that went through Magistrates Court and Crown Court. From the start I was very impressed with Michael. He is highly professional, completely on top of the detail of a case, and with a sound understanding of the difference between the Letter of the Law and its practical application. Michael is also a good judge of character; and brings an ethical dimension to the practice of Law; he cares about his profession. I understand that Michael wishes to become a Barrister. I support completely his application for Pupillage, as he would in my opinion be good, and possibly excellent in the role. And Pupillage would allow Michael to develop the practical skills in the public presentation of a case. I am pleased to have known Michael. It has been a pleasure, and I wish him all the best for his legal career. John Lamb MA (Cantab)

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Michael Rutherford

David Rayner

14/08/2026

Hi John, Thank you for taking the time to leave such thoughtful feedback about Michael. It’s fantastic to hear how highly you rate both his legal knowledge and the way he handled your case throughout. We’re incredibly proud of Michael and the work he does for our clients, and I know your comments about his future career at the Bar will mean a great deal to him. Thank you again for trusting us to represent you, and we wish you all the very best for the future. Kind Regards, Holborn Adams

Connor was fantastic throughout the whole process, diligent and hard working with the ability to be contacted at any time with any worries I had. He made a scary experience much more simple. I would recommend Connor to anyone

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Connor Hickey

David Rayner

11/08/2026

Hi Daniel, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this feedback. This is exactly the experience we want our clients to have! It’s great to hear that Connor was able to make the whole process feel that little bit easier and that you always felt you could reach out when you needed him. I’ll make sure your comments are passed on to him. Thank you again for your recommendation and for putting your trust in us. Kind Regards, Holborn Adams

I talked to a few potential solicitors before landing on Holborn Adams, and I'm so glad I went with them. What immediately struck me was their calm and empathetic approach which is exactly what you need when you are suddenly thrown into an unfamiliar and scary world. My initial introduction was with Fay and she was reassuring and put me at ease. I chose Lara to be my solicitor and she continued in the same manner, ensuring I was comfortable and ready and was there for me throughout the whole process. She took the time to read my case and my evidence and made sure all my questions were answered. She gave good legal advice and we prepared a thorough statement in my defence. Following my interview the case was closed with no further action. Lara did a great job throughout and very happy with for the service I received.

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Lara Hockney

David Rayner

07/08/2026

Hi David, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a lovely review. This is exactly the experience we want our clients to have, particularly when they come to us at what can be an incredibly worrying and uncertain time. It’s lovely to hear how supported you felt from your first conversation with Fay and throughout your case with Lara. We know how important it is to feel that someone is genuinely listening, understands your case and is there to guide you through every step. We’re delighted with the outcome and, most importantly, that you felt supported throughout. We’ll make sure your kind words are passed on to both Lara and Fay. Wishing you all the very best for the future. Kind Regards, Holborn Adams

I contacted HA on 3rd June and they were very supportive. We received the instruction form quickly and Ara took our case. Our son was accused of a number of serious offenses and had been released on pre-charge bail pending further enquiries. Having never had any dealings of this sort previously, we were in complete turmoil. Ara made contact with us quickly and made us feel immediately that we had the best person to act on our behalf. Ara reassured us that she would do the very best to secure the outcome we hoped for and would be there to support us every step of the way. At times it felt as though we would not survive the horrendous situation we found ourselves in but Ara was always available by phone to reassure us and support us emotionally. We have felt that throughout our interactions with Ara, she genuinely cared about our case and our family. While it is tempting to try to get it all over with as quickly as possible, Ara worked diligently and meticulously to make sure our representations were as comprehensive and detailed as possible. We always felt that Ara was on our side, she has been the only respite and true guiding light in this awful situation. Ara has been incredibly professional, has managed our expectations and all the while made us feel that we are not just a case file. Thankyou Ara, for all that you have already done for us and for all you continue to do for us. Ara is a true credit to her profession and we will always be incredibly grateful.

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Ara Brace-Sartaj

Katie helped me through a very difficult matter and I can't thank her enough. I had some horrible allegations made against me, never had any involvement with the police before and Katie really took the time to help me through it, she went above and beyond my expectations, talked to me whenever I needed to talk, guided me through the police interview, kept me informed with the process and she's just a really nice person in general. The rest of the team who got involved (Ria and Nicola) were also very helpful. I'd highly recommend Holborn Adams, got the result I wanted - No further action. Thanks!

David Rayner

17/08/2026

Hi Andy, Thank you so much for taking the time to leave this review. This is exactly the kind of feedback we love to see, as making sure our clients feel supported, informed and looked after throughout what can be an incredibly difficult time is so important to us. Katie will be delighted to read your comments, and I know Ria and Nicola will really appreciate the mention too. Most importantly, we’re really pleased that you got the outcome you wanted and can now put this matter behind you. Thank you again for trusting Holborn Adams and for the recommendation. We wish you all the very best for the future. Kind Regards, Holborn Adams

Invaluable This case was highly demanding, not only in terms of time but also in terms of the emotional and psychological elements. The entire family was involved in this case, so it took a lot of emotional intelligence, strength, organisation, self-control, and efficiency to be on top of it and keep them comfortable, informed, and happy. The defendant and his family had never dealt with anything like this before, so it was vital that they had someone who could guide and support them even outside of Court. Ara did this and then some! She truly went above and beyond. She always took time for the family when they needed to talk, was there to answer or follow up on their questions, and maintained such good organisational skills that I, as Counsel, could truly rely on her to do things in the background, allowing me to focus on the advocacy. Specifically, I managed to get HHJ to release the defendant for one final hour or two, to say goodbye to his friends and family. The young babies attended, and it was really quite emotional and heartbreaking to watch. Ara, off her own back, actually spent a good half an hour, perhaps even over an hour, looking after both of the (screaming) children just so that the defendant could spend some last moments with his wife/partner. The family so appreciated this that it brought the defendants mother to tears, and she came to me to tell me that Ara is just a wonderful person and an outstanding solicitor/representative for the firm. I agree entirely and felt this needed to be passed on. Ara was organised, helpful, caring, compassionate, patient, hard-working and genuine throughout her work on this case. She was also just a pleasure to work with, and without her, I have no doubt I would have found this trial significantly more challenging. I cannot describe to you just how much was going on in the background which Ara took care of and how brilliantly she communicated with me and supported my work, enabling us to put our best case. She is irreplaceable in this case, and I am genuinely grateful for the impressive, dedicated and passionate work she completed, be that written preparation, her extensive note-taking in the trial, which allowed me to focus on the questions, or her amazing pastoral care for the family. A delight to work with!

Holborn Adams delivered a level of service and communication that genuinely stands out in a crowded legal market. From the outset, the team particularly Adam Rasul and Andrew Ford were highly responsive, clear, and proactive in every interaction. What impressed me most was their ability to simplify complex legal matters without ever diluting the detail. Every step of the process was explained in a structured and transparent way, which made decision-making straightforward and removed a lot of the usual stress associated with legal proceedings. Communication was consistent and disciplined calls returned promptly, updates provided without needing to chase, and complete clarity on timelines and expectations. They also strike the right balance between professionalism and client care. You never feel like just another case file they take ownership, anticipate issues before they arise, and ensure you are always informed and in control. Overall, I had a great experience with Holborn Adams and would like to thank them for their expertise.

I am incredibly grateful for the support and representation provided by Ara Brace at Holborn Adams. From the very beginning, Ara showed exceptional professionalism, compassion, and dedication. She took the time to clearly explain every step of the process, ensuring I felt informed and reassured throughout what was a very stressful time. Her calm and approachable manner made a real difference, and her genuine kindness never went unnoticed. Ara’s attention to detail and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident in everything she did. Thanks to her expertise and hard work, all charges relating to my case were successfully dropped. I cannot thank Ara enough for her outstanding support and would highly recommend her to anyone in need of a skilled and compassionate solicitor.