Serious criminal investigations and prosecutions

Being the subject of a police investigation or prosecution is likely to be a life-changing event. The consequences can be dramatic, personally, reputationally and financially for individuals and their families as well as for organisations. It is essential to secure the best possible advice and representation as soon as possible.

Russell-Cooke’s criminal law team advises individuals, and organisations and companies, throughout the entire criminal process—from arrest and police interview, to trial and appeal if necessary. 

Criminal Investigations

It is essential to be well represented as early as possible, as what happens during the investigation stage of a case may make the difference as to whether that investigation develops into a full-scale prosecution. This is particularly the case as the powers available to investigators widen year on year. For example, ensuring that investigators only access evidence that they are entitled to, and properly protecting evidence to which they are not, can be key. Cooperation with investigators can have benefits, but cooperation can be abused by over-aggressive investigators. Many of our clients have a high profile and so even the reporting of an investigation can be a significant problem. Investigations are also often designed to exert pressure. The problems of pressure are particularly acute for vulnerable clients, and acting for  individuals with mental health, age related or addiction problems requires special skills and understanding. For all these reasons, instructing a specialist, well-resourced lawyer is the best way of protecting your interests.

Our lawyers are committed and experienced criminal defence specialists who will protect and promote your interests at each stage of a criminal investigation, whatever the allegation. We advise clients who have been or believe that are about to be arrested or investigated, during the police interview process and throughout any subsequent investigation. We will engage with investigators when necessary to ensure the best possible outcome. 

Criminal Prosecutions

If an investigation does turn into a prosecution, we advise and represent clients throughout the process, from the first Magistrates’ Court hearing, through to trial in the Magistrates’ Court or Crown Court, and to the appellate courts if necessary. Throughout, we fearlessly and skilfully defend and promote all of our clients’ interests by painstaking analysis of the evidence against them, giving clear and accessible advice on the best steps to take in response, while ensuring every possible evidential and legal defence is explored and, if appropriate, presented in Court. 

Appeals and Reviews

Where necessary we advise and represent clients on appeals to the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court and on applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Our cases include miscarriage of justice cases, often arising from convictions many years ago. Our team has the particular skills, experience and tenacity which appeal work requires.

Russell-Cooke’s criminal law team has been the choice of cabinet ministers, judges, performers, celebrities, premiership managers and footballers, journalists and business leaders and professionals for more than fifty years. Our team includes some of the most experiences and sought after solicitors in this field, with huge experience in defending in difficult and high profile cases. The team is respected by other defence lawyers, investigators and prosecutors alike.

Serious criminal offences

Many of our clients are professional people accused of financial offences, but our team also has long and extensive experience of defending in the most serious non-financial cases. These have included many high profile prosecutions for murder, manslaughter (also issues around assisted dying and “mercy killings”) terrorism, sexual offences, firearms, and drug supply and importation. We also regularly advise journalists and media organisations in relation to criminal law issues arising from their work. We have expertise in cases with a political angle, such as Official Secrets Act investigations and prosecutions and defending political protesters and whistleblowers. 

Sexual offences

Allegations involving sexual misconduct can carry a particular stigma and can be especially upsetting for those accused. Even an allegation can have very serious implications for employment, reputation and personal life. We regularly represent individuals in relation to sexual allegations, and our priority is to try to ensure that investigations into false allegations are dropped as quickly as possible to mitigate the damage caused. If a prosecution cannot be avoided we defend throughout the process, from the Magistrates’ Court though to trial. We fully understand the stress and risk to our clients’ reputation that can arise from allegations of a sexual nature, and ensure we provide not just intelligent advice and robust protection, but also support.

In all of our cases, where necessary, we work with other specialist lawyers in the firm to manage reputational, employment, immigration and professional regulatory issues. 

Farming and agriculture crime

Our team specialists represent clients from the farming sector throughout the UK who face investigation or prosecution. We have a successful track record defending farmers in prosecutions brought by Trading Standards, Rural Payments Agency, BCMS, DEFRA and environmental agencies.

Other criminal offences

We appreciate that allegations of less serious offences can still have significant adverse consequences for the individuals accused, and that any criminal allegation is likely to lead to uncertainty and anxiety. Whatever the offence under investigation, our team defends each client with the same commitment and expertise. For instance, we act in driving matters both those at the most serious end of the scale, involving fatalities, and less serious matters where nonetheless an individual’s reputation and livelihood may be at stake. Please see also 'Motoring Offences Charging Information'. 

Recent notable work: 

• Representing a senior non-commissioned Army officer prosecuted for allegedly selling ammunition to under-cover police officers.
• Representing a retired nurse in relation to allegations of sending malicious communications to two members of the House of Lords.
• Representing several defendants prosecuted for causing death by careless or dangerous driving.
• Representing a 16 year old boy prosecuted for the murder of a delivery driver.
• Representing an individual on an application to the Criminal Cases Review commission against his conviction for murder—the application is based upon the unreliability of evidence generated by the Post Office “Horizon” software system that was used against him at trial.
• Representing an individual prosecuted for obstructing the coroner, arising from the suicide of her seriously ill husband.
• Representing an individual prosecuted for large scale counterfeiting of banknotes.
• Representing a 16 year old prosecuted for rape on a 15 year old school girl.
• Representing an Uber driver prosecuted for alleged rape of a fare.
• Representing farmers in relation to allegations of animal welfare and transport breaches, animal testing (TB and BSC) related allegations, and fraud allegations relating to movement of animals. 

The majority of the work we carry out in this field is privately funded. However our team retains a contract with the Legal Aid Agency and, in exceptional cases, we may be able to offer representation under Legal Aid. At  the outset of your case we will the funding options with you and put into place a funding package that is affordable and manageable.