Our specialist youth crime solicitors provide expert legal advice for young people and children. The criminal justice system is a daunting and difficult environment for adults to navigate, and even more intimidating for young people and children.

Our lawyers deal with these specialist cases with clarity, empathy and compassion so that some of the burden is lifted from both the caregiver and the client.

We have significant experience representing young people throughout the criminal justice system, from the police station to the Youth Court, Crown Court and beyond. We have particular expertise in working with vulnerable and looked-after children, and those with mental health issues, recognising that their needs may be specific, and their cases may therefore require even more careful consideration and handling.

Decades of combined experience means that the lawyers in our team are skilled at communicating and building trust with young people and children so that the fundamental issues in the case are not lost through communication difficulties.

We can advise on a huge range of criminal matters and offences, including:

• Attempted Murder, Kidnap, GBH, ABH, common assault
• Sexual offences including sexual assault, revenge porn, ‘sexting’
• Possession of, Being Concerned in and Supply of Drugs including ‘county lines’ cases
• Possession of knives and bladed articles
• Firearms offences
• Obstructing the highway, assaulting an emergency worker/police officer and protest-related offences

We can also advise on quasi civil-criminal matters such as Criminal Behaviour Orders, Gang Injunctions, Sexual Risk Orders, Sexual Harm Prevention Orders, and Knife Crime Prevention Orders.

We work closely with the other teams within the firm to ensure we can provide your child with a holistic service. For example, our education lawyers provide expert advice regarding exclusion and suspension from school resulting/arising from alleged offending. We work alongside them when there is a parallel police investigation.

We have proven success at diverting matters away from the Courts and where appropriate, obtaining ‘out of court disposals’ including:

• Cannabis Warnings
• Youth Cautions and Conditional Cautions
• Community Resolutions
• Outcome 21

We also provide our clients with advice on the reputational/other consequences of a child or young person receiving a caution/out-of-court disposal or conviction. We can answer the key questions parents/guardians have: how will this case impact my child’s future; how long will a conviction/caution be on their criminal record for; will it prevent them from taking up employment.

Our criminal law team has consistently been recognised in the Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 legal directories for many years, through feedback from barristers, experts, and other professionals.

Key Services

Criminal Defence and Extradition

Inquests: Advising and Representing Interested Persons and Witnesses

Extradition

Journalists and Media Organisations

Appeals and Miscarriage of Justice

Terrorism Charges

Police Station Representation and Advice

Celebrity and High Profile Legal Services

Criminal Court Representation

Road Traffic Offences

Sexual Offence Allegations

Drug Offences

Youth Crime

Assault Allegations

Homicide

Official Secrets Act Breaches

Human Trafficking, Smuggling, and Slavery Offences

Dishonesty Offences

University Misconduct Complaints