Criminal Defence & Regulatory

Facing criminal charges or being part of a criminal investigation is a daunting experience for anyone. Whatever your situation we’re dedicated to offering a discreet and professional service on a range of criminal offences.

Our criminal defence solicitors are also experts in representing clients at Military Courts Martial and Armed Forces Disciplinary Proceedings. The team have vast experience of Courts Martial, both in the UK and abroad, and have appeared before the Court of Appeal and, ultimately, the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of military personnel.

All members of the criminal law team are part of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Panel, and also specialise in:

  • Magistrates’ Court
  • Youth Court
  • Crown Court
  • Police station attendance
  • Appeals to all higher courts
  • Judicial Reviews
  • Courts Martial (Military)

Legal Aid

We are one of only five solicitors’ firms who provide legal aid for criminal cases in Lincoln. Our criminal law team may be able to provide legal aid if you meet the eligibility criteria.

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Whether you are eligible for legal aid depends on your financial circumstances and the strength of your case. Find out more on our legal aid page.

The Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme

We are members of the Law Society's Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme, which covers all types of criminal law work.

As a member, we have shown, to the satisfaction of the Law Society and through external examination, that we have and will maintain a high level of knowledge, skills, experience and practice in the area of criminal litigation.

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Regulatory

We regularly represent clients, whether as individuals or as companies in relation to investigations conducted by Trading Standards, HMRC, HSE, Local Authority and other regulatory agencies. Our experience in these cases shows that in many cases, the earlier we are involved in a case, the better the outcome for the client. Get in touch with our criminal defence solicitors right away.

Criminal Defence & Regulatory

Thank you for considering Wilkin Chapman. We have a dedicated Criminal and Regulatory Department staffed with qualified and highly experienced lawyers. Our aim is to provide high quality tailored advice to individual clients and to fight for our clients' best interests at all times.

Experience, attention to detail and a detailed knowledge of the law relating to all road traffic offences distinguishes us from other firms offering their services in this complex field. We offer competitive rates in all cases and fixed fees are available where appropriate. We offer competitive rates in all cases as well as free initial telephone consultation.

Guilty Plea

We have outlined below an estimate of our legal fees for representing clients who are not eligible for legal aid and are facing charges for motoring offences being dealt with in the Magistrates Court, such as speeding, driving without insurance, drink driving and failing to provide information to the police.

Fees

On average, this type of work takes between 1 and 4 hours to complete at an average hourly rate of £200. This means that on average costs are between £240 and £960, inclusive of VAT. The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances of your case. Such as:

  • Number of offences
  • Whether special reasons against disqualification are being advanced
  • Forensic issues arising
  • Complex evidential or legal issues
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FAQs

What work is covered within this estimate?

Attendance on you to take your instructions, providing advice on likely sentence and explaining the court procedure. Attendance on the police, CPS and the Court. Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court including discussing the outcome with you.

What work is not covered within this estimate?

  • Travel to non-local Court (travel time charged at 50% of normal hourly rate) and mileage at 45p per mile
  • Instruction of any expert witness and their fees for the provision of their services
  • Taking witness statements
  • Representations at court in relation to a special reasons hearing
  • Advice and assistance in relation to any appeal

Factors that would typically increase or decrease the cost of the service

  • Location of the Court in question
  • Nature and complexity of the case
  • Taking statements from Defence witnesses
  • Instructing expert witnesses
  • Amount of Prosecution evidence in the case

Explanation as to how long it will take

Generally cases are resolved within 1 month.

Stages of the process

The key stages of your case are based on the assumption that you will already have received a court date for your case. We will meet with you to take your instructions and advise you on the evidence in the case and the legal position.

If expert or other Defence evidence needs to be obtained, we will then do that (the cost of doing this is not included within our estimate and would increase the estimate given). We will then discuss with you the Court procedure and advise on the sentencing implications of your guilty plea.

We thereafter will carry out any further preparatory work as required including contacting the police, CPS and the Court. The final stage will be the Court hearing itself. We will be at the Court to meet you, ensure everything is in place for the hearing and then represent you in Court.

We will present the Defence case and challenge the Prosecution case. Following the hearing we will discuss the outcome with you. If any advice is required on the prospects of an appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Not guilty plea

We have outlined below an estimate of our legal fees for representing clients who are not eligible for legal aid and are facing charges for motoring offences being dealt with in the Magistrates Court, such as speeding, driving without insurance, drink driving and failing to provide information to the police.

Fees

On average, this type of work takes between 3 and 10 hours to complete at an average hourly rate of £200. This means that on average costs are between £720 and £2,400 inclusive of VAT. The exact number of hours it will take depends on the circumstances of your case. Such as:

  • Complex legal or evidential issues
  • Length of trial
  • Number of Defence witnesses being called
  • Expert evidence being needed
  • Number of offences
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FAQs

What work is covered within this estimate?

Attendance on you to take instructions and correspondence with the police and CPS. Considering the evidence, tracing and taking statements from Defence witnesses, instructing Expert witnesses where required, preparation for trial, attendance at two hearings at the Magistrates Court.

What work is not covered within this estimate?

  • Travel to non-local Court (travel time charged at 50% of hourly rate) and mileage at 45p per mile
  • The fees charged by Expert witnesses for the provision of their services and any other payments to third parties (commonly known as disbursements)
  • Advice and assistance in relation to any Appeal

Factors that would typically increase or decrease the cost of the service

  • Location of the Court in question
  • Nature and complexity of the case
  • The number and location of Defence witnesses
  • The amount of evidence in the Prosecution case

Explanation as to how long it will take

Generally matters which proceed to trial take between 2 and 6 months to conclude.

Stages of the process

We will meet with you before the first hearing to take your instructions and advise you on the evidence in the case and the legal position. We will attend at Court for the Not Guilty plea to be entered and to set Directions for the conduct of the case.

In cases where you have already pleaded not guilty by post and have been notified of your trial date, this first hearing stage will not be relevant. Thereafter we will meet you and any witnesses and prepare witness statements. We will make all necessary enquiries of the Police, CPS and the Court to ensure full preparation of the case prior to the trial date.

At the final hearing, we will be at Court to meet you and your witnesses. We will ensure everything is in place for the hearing and then represent you in Court. We will present the Defence case and challenge the Prosecution case. Following the hearing, we will discuss the outcome with you. If any advice is required on the prospects of an appeal, this will carry an additional cost.

Meet our experts

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Gordon Holt
Gordon Holt
Senior Solicitor
Tel: 01522 515956
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Andrew Holt
Andrew Holt
Senior Partner
Tel: 01522 515940
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Teresa Thomas
Teresa Thomas
Partner and Head of Employment and Regulatory & Crime
Tel: 01472 262637
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Rachel Taylor
Rachel Taylor
Senior Solicitor
Tel: 01522 515955
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Calum Hanrahan
Calum Hanrahan
Immigration Solicitor
Tel: 01522 515954
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Gino Ballestracci
Gino Ballestracci
Regulatory Executive
Tel: 01472 265997
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Jackie Copeland
Jackie Copeland
Paralegal
Tel: 01472 262626
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Nichola Williamson
Nichola Williamson
Paralegal
Tel: 01522 512345
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Mark Lambert
Mark Lambert
Consultant (non solicitor)
Tel: 01472 262626
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Peter Bray
Peter Bray
Consultant (non solicitor)
Tel: 01472 262626
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Peter Scarbro
Peter Scarbro
Consultant (non solicitor)
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Armed Forces, Military & Courts Martial

We are renowned for providing specialist legal advice to forces personnel. Our experienced team of lawyers can advise on military injury, Courts-Martial, house purchases, wills, employment law, family and divorce issues.

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Index Gordon Holt
Gordon Holt
Senior Solicitor
Tel : 01522 515956
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What our customers say:

"The professionalism and reassurance you all showed from the beginning was a massive help. We couldn't have asked for a better barrister."

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Client C

"Thank you for all your assistance in my two cases"

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Client B

"Rachel has an astute understanding of the law, and delivers immaculately prepared cases with diligence and care"

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Legal 500, 2017

"Gordon is renowned for his court martial expertise in army-related cases"

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Legal 500, 2017

"Wilkin Chapman is particularly recommended for army-related cases."

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Crime - Legal 500, 2017

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