Criminal Defence

Criminal Defence Solicitors

If you have been accused of committing an offence, arrested, charged or are being investigated, Farleys’ expert criminal defence solicitors can help, and are available to assist 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

As one of the most experienced and long established crime teams in the UK, our combined experience and expertise means that we can provide comprehensive legal advice and guidance for all types of criminal matters, from initial arrest through to police station interviews and court proceedings, at the Magistrates Court, Crown Court or Court of Appeal.

From motoring offences to more serious and complex criminal matters such as fraud, get in touch with our criminal defence team today via email or on our 24 hour emergency line: 01254 606050

Our services include:

Our Experience

Highly regarded by our clients and the legal profession alike, our team have won a number of awards and have been ranked as a top tier criminal defence firm for over 10 years by the Legal 500 and Chambers guides to the legal profession.

Our years of experience mean that we are able to draw upon the expertise of a national network of leading legal and professional experts, including forensic analysis scientists, medical experts, accident reconstruction experts, barristers and accountants, who can help us to ensure that your interests are properly protected and defended at all times.

Our lawyers can attend at any police station interview under caution free of charge.

We also offer advice and representation to those who are being investigated by a regulatory body such as HMRC or the Financial Conduct Authority.

We defend clients across the UK in a wide range of criminal law matters. Please see the map below for a selection of our recent work. (Click the pins for more detail)

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Hereford: 52.055400, -2.715170

Worcester CC: 52.190698, -2.224215

Maidstone: 51.272178, 0.534691

Stafford CC: 52.848100, -2.176360

Harrow CC: 51.566670, -0.333330

Southampton CC: 50.941582, -1.472281

Nottingham CC: 52.974203, -1.164711

Southwark CC: 51.467160, -0.060600

Old Bailey: 51.515830, -0.101910

Blackfriars CC: 51.502428, -0.100116

Chester CC: 53.207393, -2.881343

Carlisle Cases: 54.889669, -2.934311

Newcastle CC: 54.987630, -1.633844

Colne - Murder Acquittal: 53.856800, -2.169120

Birmingham Cases: 52.481400, -1.899830

Preston Crown Court: 53.763934, -2.703710

Cases in London: 51.508500, -0.125740

Liverpool Crown Court: 53.410600, -2.977940

Burnley CC: 53.800000, -2.233330

Leeds Crown Court: 53.796200, -1.539850

Blackburn: 53.749700, -2.479750

Sheffield Cases: 53.383000, -1.465900

Manchester Crown Court: 53.479100, -2.244100

Bolton CC: 53.578700, -2.466970

Wood Green CC: 51.602200, -0.112568

Mold CC: 53.166700, -3.141430

Stoke on Trent: 53.018000, -2.164550

Bradford: 53.792856, -1.750259

Plymouth CC: 50.371300, -4.142570

Shrewsbury CC: 52.707900, -2.754010

Leicester CC: 52.636800, -1.131230

Lincoln CC: 53.233600, -0.539217

Barrow CC: 54.126500, -3.212340

Teeside CC (Middlesborough): 54.576000, -1.234400

Kingston Upon Thames: 51.409600, -0.306262

Derby CC: 52.921300, -1.476150

Dudley CC: 52.511500, -2.082010

Bristol CC: 51.453800, -2.597300

Northampton CC: 52.241300, -0.886896

Caernarfon CC: 53.139000, -4.269190

Hull CC: 53.744500, -0.332005

York CC: 53.958700, -1.061440

Swansea CC: 51.621100, -3.946780

Woolwich Crown Court: 51.482700, 0.062334

Cambridge Crown Court: 52.203000, 0.138251

Poole: 50.717900, -1.981520

Canterbury Crown Court: 51.280000, 1.080250

Norwich Crown Court: 52.628600, 1.292270

Coventry: 52.408200, -1.510480

Chelmsford CC: 51.734500, 0.472454

Swindon CC: 51.561400, -1.785690

What people say about us

“Five star operator Paul Schofield is accessible, has the human touch and is one of the best solicitors I have ever dealt with “

Chambers & Partners

2017-08-31T15:55:24+01:00

Chambers & Partners

“Five star operator Paul Schofield is accessible, has the human touch and is one of the best solicitors I have ever dealt with “

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/22353/

The ‘tactically astute’ Bridgette Hibbert is praised for her knowledge of all aspects of business crime and regulatory matters; she ‘rapidly identifies the relevant issues in complex cases, easily develops a rapport with clients and has the knack of explaining complicated issues in simple terms’.

Legal 500 Guide 2017

2017-11-01T11:52:03+00:00

Legal 500 Guide 2017

The ‘tactically astute’ Bridgette Hibbert is praised for her knowledge of all aspects of business crime and regulatory matters; she ‘rapidly identifies the relevant issues in complex cases, easily develops a rapport with clients and has the knack of explaining complicated issues in simple terms’.

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/22698/

"We wish to thank you [Bridgette Hibbert] for your fantastic criminal defence work. As a family, we found ourselves in a situation none of us could have thought possible. The odds were undoubtably against us – but your skill, knowledge and commitment to get the truth helped us to hold ourselves together and remain hopeful of a just and positive outcome. We wholeheartedly recommend Farleys and their key partners and will be forever in your debt. Your work has had a life changing impact on our family."

Jon, Sarah and Oscar

2022-09-30T12:16:46+01:00

Jon, Sarah and Oscar

"We wish to thank you [Bridgette Hibbert] for your fantastic criminal defence work. As a family, we found ourselves in a situation none of us could have thought possible. The odds were undoubtably against us – but your skill, knowledge and commitment to get the truth helped us to hold ourselves together and remain hopeful of a just and positive outcome. We wholeheartedly recommend Farleys and their key partners and will be forever in your debt. Your work has had a life changing impact on our family."

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/bridgette-hibbert-criminal-defence-testimonial/

"Thank you and all of the amazing team at Farleys for all that you have done for me and my family. From the first meeting I was reassured by your experience and professionalism. Your calm, assured approach gave great confidence and I felt looked after throughout.

Your team who put in the ‘hard yards’ with copious amounts of photocopying, scanning, organising and preparation are greatly appreciated. I was always greeted with a smile and a cup of coffee. What an amazingly professional and friendly team!!"

- Richard Emmett, Client of Paul Schofield

2022-09-08T12:31:14+01:00

- Richard Emmett, Client of Paul Schofield

"Thank you and all of the amazing team at Farleys for all that you have done for me and my family. From the first meeting I was reassured by your experience and professionalism. Your calm, assured approach gave great confidence and I felt looked after throughout. Your team who put in the ‘hard yards’ with copious amounts of photocopying, scanning, organising and preparation are greatly appreciated. I was always greeted with a smile and a cup of coffee. What an amazingly professional and friendly team!!"

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/paul-schofield-richard-emmett-client-quote/

"Paul Schofield is exceptional. He has a huge amount of experience and is incredibly easy to work with."

- Legal 500 2023

2022-10-13T16:15:18+01:00

- Legal 500 2023

"Paul Schofield is exceptional. He has a huge amount of experience and is incredibly easy to work with."

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/legal-500-paul-schofield-testimonial/

"I could never thank you enough for your sound advice, support and perseverance."

Mr J - Criminal Defence Client

2019-04-30T12:40:35+01:00

Mr J - Criminal Defence Client

"I could never thank you enough for your sound advice, support and perseverance."

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/26165/

“Paul Schofield is absolutely first class, with a very good grasp of client care. Paul’s ability to put the client at ease is second to none. “

Legal 500

2017-08-31T15:54:48+01:00

Legal 500

“Paul Schofield is absolutely first class, with a very good grasp of client care. Paul’s ability to put the client at ease is second to none. “

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/22352/

"Paul Schofield and Bridgette Hibbert are just incredibily hardworking. A team that is second to none."

- Legal 500 2023

2022-10-13T16:22:10+01:00

- Legal 500 2023

"Paul Schofield and Bridgette Hibbert are just incredibily hardworking. A team that is second to none."

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/38460/

“I just can’t thank you enough. You have all been so brilliant. I could not have had better support personally and legally, I will never ever forget it”

Mr G

2017-08-31T15:57:55+01:00

Mr G

“I just can’t thank you enough. You have all been so brilliant. I could not have had better support personally and legally, I will never ever forget it”

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/22355/

Laura Walmsley is ‘meticulous – she has a knack for detecting and unpicking flaws in the prosecution case and is the solicitor every defendant would want on their side’.

Legal 500 Guide 2017

2017-11-01T11:50:11+00:00

Legal 500 Guide 2017

Laura Walmsley is ‘meticulous – she has a knack for detecting and unpicking flaws in the prosecution case and is the solicitor every defendant would want on their side’.

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/22696/

“The intrinsic warmth of Paul Schofield’s personality allied to his tremendous expertise.”

Solicitor Client

2017-08-31T15:58:39+01:00

Solicitor Client

“The intrinsic warmth of Paul Schofield’s personality allied to his tremendous expertise.”

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/22356/

Paul is "superb and vastly experienced" and "leaves no stone unturned for his clients and is the master of patient strategy"

Legal 500 Guide 2017

2017-10-24T15:01:42+01:00

Legal 500 Guide 2017

Paul is "superb and vastly experienced" and "leaves no stone unturned for his clients and is the master of patient strategy"

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/22599/

"Paul Schofield is outstanding. He is meticulous in his preparation and has an excellent support team."

- Legal 500 2023

2022-10-13T16:17:14+01:00

- Legal 500 2023

"Paul Schofield is outstanding. He is meticulous in his preparation and has an excellent support team."

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/legal-500-2023-paul-schofield-testimonial/

“Paul is a very able and experienced practitioner who brings a clear, level head to the table “

Legal 500

2017-08-31T15:56:00+01:00

Legal 500

“Paul is a very able and experienced practitioner who brings a clear, level head to the table “

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/22354/

"They are a fantastic team, always willing to go the extra mile for the client."

- Legal 500 2023

2022-10-13T16:18:17+01:00

- Legal 500 2023

"They are a fantastic team, always willing to go the extra mile for the client."

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/legal-500-2023-crime-team-testimonial/

Bridgette Hibbert has proved to be an absolute specialist in my case against Trading Standards. Incredibly experienced and superbly efficient. Bridgette believed in me and went way past her call of duty, helping me and my wife get through 3 horrendous years. Bridgette, we will always be indebted to you. Thank you

Mr M , Company Director

2017-11-01T11:51:13+00:00

Mr M , Company Director

Bridgette Hibbert has proved to be an absolute specialist in my case against Trading Standards. Incredibly experienced and superbly efficient. Bridgette believed in me and went way past her call of duty, helping me and my wife get through 3 horrendous years. Bridgette, we will always be indebted to you. Thank you

https://www.farleys.com/testimonials/22697/