The 5 best criminal defence lawyers in London with proven case experience
We heard from people who sat in police interview rooms, nerves frayed, only to watch their lawyer breeze in and barely say a word. Some told us their lawyer didn’t even crack open the case file until the morning of court.
After hearing those stories, we started wondering: where are the criminal defence lawyers in London you can actually count on? That’s what pushed us to hunt for the ones who show up, fight hard, and really have your back when it matters.
Here are the ones we found with extensive experience and stellar track record!
How much does it cost to hire a criminal defence lawyer in London?
It costs at least £150 per hour to hire a criminal defence lawyer in London. This is just an estimate. The actual cost will depend on the case and the lawyer’s fees.
1. Berkeley Square Solicitors
Address: F2, Berkeley Square House, 283 Berkeley Square, London
Contact Details: +442038580851
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
Berkeley Square Solicitors is a boutique law firm set up by three of London’s top criminal law solicitors: Roger Sahota, Daniel Godden, and Goran Stojsavljevic.
Each partner brings over 20 years of experience from top-ranked Chambers and Legal 500 firms. So it’s no wonder they cover the full range of criminal defence, from serious crimes to tax evasion and fraud.
We like how often these solicitors get investigations dropped before charges are even filed. One guy told us he avoided prosecution in a high-profile fraud case because he was able to get the charges dropped right away.
They also know their way around cybercrime cases—think online stalking, hacking, or copyright infringement. In one recent case, they defended a client accused of hacking a corporate server and reduced the charges after picking apart the digital evidence.
Their track record with Interpol Red Notices is just as impressive. In one case, they helped a business owner get a Red Notice lifted, allowing him to travel again after months of being stuck.
The only real con? Because they’re a boutique firm, their caseload can get heavy. If a case isn’t urgent, follow-up calls sometimes take a few days.
Gave me excellent advice
“I couldn’t have asked for a better solicitor than Patrick O’Hanlon. From start to finish, he was absolutely incredible at his job and made the whole process of my case so much smoother and less stressful. He gave me excellent advice throughout and was always there to help whenever I needed support or had questions. Thanks to Patrick’s hard work and professionalism, we achieved the best possible outcome in the end. I’m truly grateful for everything he did. If I ever need a solicitor again, I wouldn’t hesitate to go back to Patrick and I’d highly recommend him to anyone looking for outstanding legal representation.”
- Safiye Dogan Google Reviews
His communication was absolutely brilliant
“My family and I are incredibly grateful to Patrick O’Hanlon for his help with our case. I only wish we had contacted him sooner as he undoubtedly would have gotten the whole matter dismissed much sooner, before it became an issue in the first place. We were unfamiliar with the legal system but Patrick walked us through every step calmly and professionally. His communication was absolutely brilliant and we felt well-supported from our very first contact, we can’t recommend him highly enough. Thank you so much for your kindness and patience over the past few months, and for restoring peace to our home.”
- Amy Bergs Google Reviews
2. Holborn Adams Limited
Address: 125 Old Broad St
Contact Details: +442038403421
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
Holborn Adams stands out because it’s fully privately funded. That means they aren’t tied to government contracts, so they can focus on each case without outside pressure.
We like how this lets them focus entirely on their clients. For instance, in a recent sexual offence investigation, their team worked closely with forensic experts and secured a no further action outcome for one of their clients in just a few days.
Their team specialises in pre-charge representation, fraud, sexual offence cases, and regulatory matters. They’ve stepped in early for one woman facing fraud allegations, helping to prevent charges from ever being filed.
We also like that their top-tier team includes a hand-picked panel of expert counsel. In one case, they brought in a leading barrister to defend a man accused of regulatory breaches to help win his case.
On the flip side, their exclusive focus on private clients means costs can be high, so this isn’t the firm for everyone.
Consistently go above and beyon
“I have used Holborn Adams specifically Adam Rasul the owner and CEO for both my business and personal matters, and I cannot speak highly enough about the exceptional service he provides from start to finish, the professionalism, attention to detail, and depth of legal knowledge are second to none. Adam is always available for me literally 24/7, to provide clear guidance and reassurance whenever needed. Knowing that I can rely on Adam at any time gives me complete peace of mind, whether I’m dealing with a complex business issue or a personal concern. Holborn Adams consistently go above and beyond, delivering solutions with integrity, speed, and a genuine commitment to their clients’ best interests. I would not hesitate to recommend Adam and his team to anyone looking for first-class legal representation there really is no other firm you need to look for – case closed 😊”
- Charles Freimuth Google Reviews
Calm professionalism and deep knowledge
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Holborn Adams Solicitors, and in particular, Adam Rasul, who has provided exceptional legal services and advice throughout my boxing career and beyond. Adam has not only safeguarded my interests inside the ring but has also expertly managed my legal matters outside of it. I’ve turned to Holborn Adams’ expertise for some of the most important matters in my life, and their calm professionalism and deep knowledge always stand out. Having Adam and his team in my corner gives me complete confidence in whatever challenges come next.
I wholeheartedly recommend Holborn Adams Limited and Adam Rasul to anyone seeking top-tier legal support.”
- Scott Quigg Google Reviews
3. Emergency 24/7 Criminal Defence Solicitors – Astons Law
Address: Endell St, London
Contact Details: +447922247999
Operating Hours: Open 24 hours
Astons Law impressed us with their hands-on, proactive approach. What stood out right away was their 24/7 rapid response.
One client told us he was arrested at 2 am, and within an hour, an Astons solicitor was already at the station, stepping in before any statements were made.
We also like that Astons doesn’t just take the prosecution’s story at face value. In one fraud case, a man’s lawyer reviewed forensic accounting evidence and identified gaps the prosecution had missed.
The judge ultimately dismissed the main charge thanks to his lawyer’s thoroughness.
For students caught up in criminal cases, Astons keeps things under the radar. One student told us his solicitor even arranged meetings off-campus so no one would see him walking into a law office.
The only catch? That first meeting with their lawyers can be a drag—there’s a stack of paperwork, and they ask for every detail.
Extremely satisfied with the outcome
“An excellent firm to work with! From start to finish, everything was clearly explained and handled with great professionalism. I had the pleasure of dealing with Mr. G. Humayun, whose expertise and support were instrumental in helping me win my case. I’m extremely satisfied with the outcome and highly recommend this firm.”
- Ashrafur Rahman Ali, Google Reviews
We are very grateful for his help
“We needed a solicitor urgently, I had called up a few firms and everyone had said they cant take the case on. Gulam was the only person who said yes, and had met with me in court the next day. We are very grateful for his help, and for his barristers help. Both knew what they were doing, had a really good understanding of the law, of the courts and esp the jury. Their advice and legal knowledge helped us win this case.”
- Riyadh Uddin, Google Reviews
4. Bark & Co Solicitors
Address: Hamilton House, 1 Temple Avenue, Temple
Contact Details: +442073531990
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 6 PM
Bark and Co Solicitors have built a name for themselves by taking on some of the trickiest financial crime cases out there.
They’ve even snagged awards like The Times Best Law Firm, which shows they’re not just good on paper but actually deliver results in high-stakes cases.
In fact, they’ve once defended a man accused of running an international fraud ring.
What really caught our attention was how their team don’t just hunt for loopholes. Instead, they dig deep into the financial records and find gaps in the evidence that the prosecution had missed.
They take on both legal aid clients and private clients. In a private case involving alleged insider trading, they efficiently investigated the financial reports and kept everything discreet due to their client’s request.
The only downside? One guy admitted that getting updates on his case sometimes took a few days, so it’s worth double-checking timelines for those who like to stay in the loop.
She consistently went above and beyond
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for Vanessa Wiggins at Bark & Co Solicitors. Vanessa’s communication throughout my case was exceptional — clear, timely, and always reassuring. Her efficiency in handling every stage of the process gave me real confidence, and her compassion made a difficult situation much easier to navigate. She consistently went above and beyond, and her dedication truly stood out. I highly recommend Vanessa to anyone in need of a professional and genuinely caring solicitor.
- Tanya Google Reviews
Honest and upfront manner presenting the options
“From the initial contact to these solicitors it was clear this firm was knowledgeable, passionate about its work and dedicated to seeking the best outcome for their clients.
I approached them after another firm was failing to represent and fight for my nephew in the correct manner and I was desperately seeking a firm who was willing to apply for a transfer to take on this case as my nephew was facing very serious (unjust) charges.. we were appointed Stephanie Theivendrarajah as our case worker, who was like a legal angel, the communication, care and insight was second to none and she maintained an honest and upfront manner presenting the options, facts and possible outcomes at every stage of the relationship., often communicating outside of typical working hours to make sure I was reassured at all times.
After the first transfer application failed, she advised me on what to keep an eye out for and let me know should this firm continue to provide insufficient support and professionalism, Stephanie would be willing to make another application to transfer on my nephews behalf.
The second application succeeded and Bark & Co managed to work miracles in the week they had to put together my nephews case before he faced his hearing.
Their dedication, support and expertise’s saw my nephew receive an adjustment to his charges that meant instead of potentially receiving a 15+ year sentence, the judge heard their arguments and agreed to drop to a charge that matched the crime and he ways fairly sentences to 3 years + 11 months with the opportunity to be released on HDC.
I can’t recommend this firm enough, I assure you if you choose them to represent you they will go above and beyond to ensure you are supported, communicated with and treated with respect at every step of your legal road.
I just have to repeat how much Stephanie Theivendrarajah is such a special solicitor is, I have to upmost respect and gratitude for the work she provided and I cannot recommend her and Bark & Co enough!”
- Yasmin Google Reviews
5. KC Crime Lawyer
Address: 5th Floor, Barristers Chambers, No5, 7 Savoy Ct
Contact Details: +447966283120
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
KC Crime Lawyer allows people to speak directly with Mark Kelly, a member of King’s Counsel, from the first consultation.
A King’s Counsel is a senior barrister recognised for their expertise in court. We like that their clients get this level of experience on their side.
Fraud defence is their main focus. They’ve handled cases ranging from bank fraud and internet scams to education fraud, and even those massive multi-million-pound carousel fraud cases that make headlines.
We heard they once defended a small business owner accused of being part of a VAT fraud ring. The team went through the prosecution’s evidence piece by piece and identified gaps that helped their case.
They also handle asset recovery and confiscation cases, in which authorities seek to recover assets they believe are linked to a crime.
One person told us he nearly lost his family home, but the team managed to prove the property wasn’t connected to the alleged offence.
The only con? Sometimes their phone lines are busy and hard to reach. One guy told us he waited on hold for up to 30 minutes before speaking with someone.
Realistic and professional advice
“Mark Kelly is an excellent barrister providing realistic and professional advice preparing his clients for the most plausible attitude by the Court and chances of success. Mark Kelly analyses all facts and gives clear advice on merits of success or possible outcome. If you wish to have an experienced defence barrister and receive great service, use Mark Kelly services 👌.”
Understood me so well
“Firstly I would like to Thank you for helping me on all the great advise you gave me. I had many questions which no one advised me so simply like you.
You understood me so well and gave me your time in an evening at No Cost/charge on my first point of contact.
I Highly recommended and am very grateful for what u have delivered for me.”
Ty
🙏
- Taiba Qureshi Google Reviews