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Our criminal defence solicitors are fearless in protecting our clients’ interests. We are at the forefront of criminal defence work, constantly deploying ground-breaking legal, human rights and public interest arguments and scientific evidence on behalf of our clients. Our criminal defence lawyers frequently defend in the most serious and high-profile cases.
Our highly experienced team of criminal defence solicitors specialises in defending many kinds of criminal cases including, but not limited to, allegations of homicide, theft and fraud, drugs, sexual offences, and all kinds of regulatory breaches that are dealt with in the criminal court.
Bindmans are a first rate criminal defence firm. They are able to bring together considerable experience in civil liberties and human rights, to offer expert assistance to clients with novel and unique criminal cases.
Legal 500 2021
We are committed to providing expert and professional advice and representation throughout all stages of criminal investigations and proceedings – before arrest, at the police station, before charges are brought and during court proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court and Higher Courts.
We have been a leader in this field for over 40 years and our approach to criminal defence work has meant that Bindmans has successfully shaped some of the most celebrated criminal cases in recent history. We are recognised by the principal legal directories and are ranked as a top-tier law firm in both the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners.
They are among the best in the market – the quality of all those working across the team is exceptionally high.
Chambers and Partners 2021
Our criminal defence lawyers are used to facing the most formidable prosecution agencies, including the Crown Prosecution Service and other specialist prosecutors and regulators. Our team have the experience and skills to match these prosecutors, and we believe that they respect and acknowledge our expertise.
We work with the best experts in the UK and abroad in order to ensure that the most compelling and reliable expert evidence is obtained to support our clients’ cases. We instruct highly skilled external counsel and our experience ensures we are able to identify the best person for the job. Where necessary, we adopt a multi-jurisdictional approach using our links with lawyers in other countries.
Our solicitors understand that the publicity these cases can often attract can be incredibly distressing for those under investigation or facing prosecution. We work as discreetly as possible and many cases do not attract unwanted media attention. For those that do, we are experienced at managing and advising on any unwanted media attention, and work closely with our Media team to minimise the impacts. We also act in cases where there is no publicity, but where the issues and potential consequences for our clients are equally serious. In all our cases we are aware of the personal strain that can be involved.
Our criminal defence team are committed to ensuring that our clients are well supported and we pride ourselves on having the ability to tailor our services to suit each individual’s needs.
Key Services
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
Recognition
I felt very well looked after in what was a challenging and difficult time.
Chambers and Partners 2024 – Crime: General
Their professionalism and commitment to the case was outstanding. They provided balanced advice and guidance and they were available at any time to deal with our concerns.
Chambers and Partners 2024 – Crime: General
The team is very professional and has excellent knowledge and expertise.
Chambers and Partners 2024 – Crime: General
The team at Bindmans is fantastic. They are incredibly responsive to both clients and counsel. There is a real aura about them that they are in total control of the cases they have, and aware of the finer detail that would escape the attention of others.
Legal 500 2024 – Crime: General
One of the top names dealing with high-profile protest and human rights related criminal cases in the UK. The team are at the top of their game and every case is thoroughly prepared by solicitors who are experts in their field.
Legal 500 2024 – Crime: General
The team has an excellent mix of practitioners across a range of practice areas. Their dedication to each client and each case is impressive.
Legal 500 2024 – Crime: General
Bindmans is a class act. The lawyers are diligent, knowledgeable, and meticulous
Legal 500 2024 – Crime: General
Bindmans deserve their reputation for being utterly committed to their clients. No stone is left unturned whilst remaining practical and realistic at all times.
Legal 500 2024 – Crime: General
It’s a very impressive team that works so hard for its clients – the lawyers’ energy is relentless and you’d want them in your corner.
Chambers and Partners 2022 – Crime: General
A very skilful team of solicitors who are dedicated and put in a good shift for their clients.
Chambers and Partners 2022 – Crime: Extradition
The team is excellent and puts so much effort into each case
Chambers and Partners 2021 – Crime: General
They are among the best in the market – the quality of all those working across the team is exceptionally high.
Chambers and Partners 2021 – Crime: General
They are a first-rate criminal defence firm. It is clear that the lawyers think deeply about the issues and strategy on a case.
Chambers and Partners 2021 – Crime: General
They are very good at what they do. They are very thorough in terms of research and case preparation.
Chambers and Partners 2021 – Crime: Extradition
Bindmans reputation for protest law is stellar. Every brief that I have had from Bindmans has been well prepared, and it is clear that their lawyers have thought deeply about the issues and strategy of the case.
Legal 500 2021 – Crime: General
Bindmans are second to none in their commitment to achieving social justice and providing an exceptional standard of representation. They have real strength in depth in terms of the quality of their lawyers and the quality of their case preparation is a cut above competitors.
Legal 500 2021 – Crime: General
Bindmans are a superlative firm on extradition matters, with a broad array of incredibly focused and committed solicitors. I have nothing but praise for their detailed and meticulous case preparation and they are always a pleasure to work with.
Legal 500 2021 – Crime: General
Strong practice with particular expertise in acting on politically sensitive cases, also offering extensive experience in adjoining human rights issues. Highlighted for its frequent appearances in precedent-setting proceedings involving both privately funded and legal aid clients. Assists clients with resisting both European Arrest Warrants and Interpol Red Notices. Adept at handling proceedings relating to the most serious criminal allegations, including murder, terrorism and genocide.
Chambers and Partners 2020- Crime: Extradition
A pre-eminent team that offers in-depth experience across all areas of criminal law. Particularly well versed in representing individuals charged with highly serious offences, including murder and terrorism. Offers niche expertise in acting for journalists and those charged with public order offences, drawing on additional strength in human rights issues. Also assists clients in appeals against earlier convictions.
Chambers and Partners 2020- Crime: General
One of the top-tier firms in the country undertaking criminal work and a well-oiled organisation – they know exactly what they are doing.
Chambers and Partners 2019 – Crime: General
Strong practice fielding particular expertise in acting on politically sensitive cases, offering extensive experience in adjoining human rights issues. Highlighted for its frequent appearances in precedent-setting proceedings involving privately funded and legal aid clients. Experienced advising on resisting European Arrest Warrants and Interpol red notices. Adept at handling proceedings relating to the most serious criminal allegations, including murder, terrorism and genocide.
Chambers and Partners 2019 – Crime: Extradition
Bindmans LLP is well-known for advising high-profile individuals on cases of extradition, murder, terrorism and fraud, and is especially strong in assisting with cases involving human rights aspects.
Legal 500 2019 – Crime: General
Bindmans LLP advises individuals involved in investigations and prosecutions by organisations including the SFO, FCA, Office of Fair Trading, HMRC and Police Specialist Fraud case teams. Clients include lawyers, accountants and journalists. The firm acts in privately and publicly funded cases as well as cases funded by third parties, such as employers and insurance companies. Areas of expertise include fraud and international bribery and corruption.
Legal 500 2019 – Fraud: White-Collar Crime
A pre-eminent team that offers in-depth experience across all areas of criminal law. Particularly well versed in representing individuals charged with highly serious offences, including murder. Offers niche expertise in acting for journalists and those charged with public order offences, drawing on additional strength in human rights issues. Increasing focus on miscarriage of justice cases.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Crime
Bindmans are first class: they have meticulous preparation and the highest level of client care. Their support structure, in terms of staff to deal with the workload of large cases, is excellent. Bindmans thoroughly deserve their stellar reputation.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Crime
They’re a really strong firm doing a wide range of criminal work. They really leave no stone unturned, and their client care is fantastic.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Crime
A strong practice fielding particular expertise in acting on politically sensitive cases, offering extensive experience in adjoining human rights issues. Highlighted for its frequent appearances in precedent-setting proceedings involving privately funded and legal aid clients. Experienced advising on resisting European Arrest Warrants and INTERPOL red notices.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Crime: Extradition
Bindmans has super well-organised, intelligent, innovative lawyers who simply do not give up until the job is done.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Crime: Extradition
Their attention to detail and case preparation is first class.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Crime: Extradition
An active legal aid practice concentrating on high-exposure fraud matters with a wealth of experience in jury trial work. Recent mandates from the banking sector bolster the growing private client base. Experienced across the full range of criminal fraud and regulatory investigations. The firm is really passionate and really dedicated.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Financial Crime: Individuals
Their cases are always brilliantly prepared and they will always be 100% behind the client, looking for the best outcomes. They are kind and effective, a difficult combination to achieve.
Chambers and Partners 2018 – Financial Crime: Individuals
Pre-eminent team that offers in-depth experience across all areas of criminal law. Particularly well versed in representing individuals charged with highly serious offences, including murder. Offers niche expertise in acting for journalists and those charged with public order offences, drawing on additional strength in human rights issues.
Chambers and Partners UK 2017 – Crime: General
They’re a class act. I think that because of the way the firm operates, the solicitors feel able to go to the umpteenth degree for their clients.
Chambers and Partners UK 2017 – Crime: General
What Bindmans lawyers have in common is fantastic client care. They are absolutely brilliant in dealing with all clients.
Chambers and Partners 2017 – Crime: General
Strong practice fielding particular expertise in acting on politically sensitive cases, offering extensive experience in adjoining human rights issues. Highlighted for its frequent appearances in precedent-setting proceedings involving privately funded and legal aid clients.
Chambers and Partners 2017 – Crime: Extradition
They’ve got strength in depth and all-round committed people. They are brilliant human rights lawyers and great minds, and are really top lawyers in terms of strategy.
Chambers and Partners 2017 – Crime: Extradition
Active legal aid practice concentrating on high-exposure fraud matters with a wealth of experience in jury trial work. Experienced across the full range of criminal fraud and regulatory investigations.
Chambers and Partners 2017 – Financial Crime: Individuals
They prepared the case with meticulous attention to detail.
Chambers and Partners 2017 – Financial Crime: Individuals
First-class criminal defence firm Bindmans LLP has ‘a stellar reputation which is thoroughly deserved’, ‘preparing all cases with fantastic rigour and always going the extra mile to fight for the client’. The firm is noted for its strength in matters involving fraud, extradition and political protest, and counts numerous high-profile individuals as its clients. The practice is [headed by] Katie Wheatley, who has notable expertise in privately funded matters and cases surrounding “mercy killings”.
Legal 500 2017 – Crime: General
Bindmans LLP’ ‘practical and realistic team leaves no stone unturned’, and ‘fully deserves its reputation for being utterly committed to its clients’. The department specialises in investigations and prosecutions brought by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), HMRC and Police Specialist Fraud case teams, amongst others, and regularly acts for a range of professionals including lawyers, accountants and journalists. Highlights included acting for a former City broker in the high-profile SFO investigation into the alleged misreporting of daily LIBOR rate submissions to the British Banking Association.
Legal 500 2017 – Fraud: white-collar crime
Their overall performance is extremely good. They have always got an innovative and thoughtful approach, and they go the extra mile to find the best ways of defending the client. Their client care is very good, everything is prepared properly and they have bright ideas about things.
Chambers and Partners 2016 – Crime: General
A go-to firm for any heavy and serious criminal matters.
Chambers and Partners 2016 – Crime: General
Bindmans are first-rate when it comes to extradition.
Chambers and Partners 2016 – Crime: Extradition
They do not leave any stones unturned, they always chase things down and they always ensure that the client is kept up to speed.
Chambers and Partners 2016 – Crime: Extradition
Superb in every department – they have an unshakeable commitment to their clients, they prepare cases meticulously and they use the law creatively to achieve the best outcomes. A model solicitors firm.
Chambers and Partners 2016 – Financial Crime
Bindmans LLP is ‘one of the very best firms for a reason, and that is the hard work they put into all cases’. Katie Wheatley [heads] this ‘simply outstanding’ practice, which demonstrates particular specialism in protest cases and extradition. Other key figures include Kate Goold, who regularly represents high-profile individuals.
Legal 500 2016 – Crime: general
Thanks so much for your knowledgeable advice, useful support and human warmth in this legal nightmare.
Bindmans LLP client
You covered all angles to minimise the chance of X being found guilty and I know he is extremely grateful for that and the chance to get on with his life.
Bindmans LLP client
Without your inexhaustible support, I would never have pulled through…I shall never forget the moment I was found not guilty.
Bindmans LLP client
Contact
To get in touch with our criminal defence lawyers please use the details below. If you need emergency assistance outside of office hours please call our out of hours phone number.
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Speak to one of our experts today
+44 20 7833 4433
INFO@BINDMANS.COM
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