Taking Offence.....
Correcting the wrongs
Whether accused of committing a crime or as a victim of crime, getting the right legal advice is justice in itself. From speeding fines and possible disqualification or theft through to financial crime and regulatory investigations, the Hugh James legal team can provide you with professional advice and guidance on the full spectrum of the criminal law and all the related issues.
The scale of our practice allows us to offer experience and broad expertise across a range of crime matters as well as specialist cases such as care proceedings, mental health matters and commercial litigation. We are also well placed due to our size to manage very high cost criminal cases.
The increasing criminalisation of our society with the prevalent use of speed cameras and the expansion of criminal liability for corporate regulation means it is more likely than ever before that individuals will be investigated and prosecuted for criminal offences.
An argument with a neighbour or a serious road accident for which you may be responsible could mean you being arrested and interviewed by the police. It’s the telephone call you will never want to make but if for whatever reason you are faced with this situation you will need to be protected and supported throughout the process.
At Hugh James we are able to offer the complete range of services from telephone advice, police station representation through to hearings in both the Magistrates and Crown courts including the Court of Appeal. We are able to represent you in investigations by professional regulatory bodies such as the Financial Services Authority. We have unrivalled experience in handling cases from speeding offences to murder and serious fraud as well as Courts Martial. We are one of only four Welsh firms who are members of the Legal Services Commission’s Specialist Fraud Panel. The Panel was established in 2001 to ensure that only firms with a proven ability to handle these most complex of cases would be entrusted with public funds to defend these very expensive cases. We are recognised in both The Legal 500 and Chambers UK as a leading regional firm with our partners acknowledged as leaders in their field. We are one of only five UK firms to have been appointed to the Treasury Solicitor’s Criminal Litigation and Regulatory Panel which will involve us representing various government departments.
The Team
Our specialised criminal defence team includes a multi-disciplinary corporate crime unit and Advocates with Higher Rights of Audience. We realise you are not just another case but that your very liberty, livelihood or reputation could be at stake. We are able to provide police station representation 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and are available out of hours to deal with urgent requests for assistance.
The Services
We are able to provide the following services;
- Police station representation (24 hours on call )
- Representation before all courts
- Investigations by Regulatory and professional bodies
- DTI investigations and prosecutions
- Trading Standards prosecutions
- Revenue and Customs investigations
- SFO proceedings
- Motoring and all road Traffic matters
- Health & Safety investigations
- Investigations by Services Police / Courts Martial
- Cross border investigations
- Asset recovery and confiscation
Fees Structure
We operate a flexible approach to fees which can include Publicly Funded defences and legal expenses insurance as well as fixed fee and hourly rate arrangements. In a successful privately funded criminal defence the court can make a costs order which would refund certainly most of your costs from central funds.