Crime, Investigations and Enforcement
Being arrested, prosecuted or investigated for a criminal offence can have a huge impact on your personal and professional life. Even relatively minor allegations can have enormous and long-lasting consequences on your career, private life and ultimately your liberty so it’s important to have a good criminal defence.
As many of our clients enjoy a good reputation and have never been involved in the criminal process before, we understand the distress that they can be feeling and therefore will provide the best advice and defence possible.
Oracle’s reputation as one of the top criminal law experts in London and Belfast is backed up by our proven results, so you can be assured that your best interests are protected when you choose us.
Criminal defence expertise
When clients come to us in trouble our experienced criminal defence lawyers quickly devise a strategy to minimise damage and deliver the best results with discretion and sensitivity assured.
Whether you’ve been charged with something serious or minor we will work tirelessly to defend your best interests and reputation. Whatever your background and whatever your circumstances, we’ll fight to help you defend yourself against the accusation and charge.
We understand that being arrested can be confusing and frightening. Our highly specialised criminal defence lawyers answer your questions and put your mind at ease.
It’s best to have quality legal advice right from the beginning so no costly mistakes are made. We’ll give you clear, straightforward and hard-hitting advice from the start.
With Oracle Solicitors, you’re in safe hands, between us we’ve over 30 years’ experience representing suspects and defendants.
How our criminal defence lawyers can help
Our defence team have acted for clients right across England, Wales and Northern Ireland and international jurisdictions dealing with offences related to serious crime.
At Oracle Solicitors, our criminal defence team provide expert legal advice and representation for both individuals and businesses.
We are also able to provide immediate specialist legal advice and representation at every stage of the criminal process, from attendance at police stations to representation in court proceedings, whether the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court or Court of Appeal.
Crime, investigations and enforcement fees
If you have Directors and Officers Insurance your legal fees may be covered in respect of regulatory or investigative action. Please check your insurance policy to check whether you have Legal Expenses Insurance that may cover the costs. If you are unsure, we will consider your policy and liaise with the Insurance company on your behalf.
Our charges will be based on the time actually spent by lawyers and other staff in respect of any work which they do on your behalf.
Our current hourly rates are set out below (All figures exclude VAT):
- Senior Counsel – £450
- Junior Counsel - £350
- Solicitor - £300
- Trainee Solicitors, Paralegal – £150
We provide an initial consultation of 30 mins with Senior Counsel free of charge.
In all matters a detailed estimate will be provided and agreed before the commencement of any work. We provide updates at regular junctures with the work in progress and work with our clients to achieve the best outcome, both legally and financially. In some cases we are able to provide a fixed fee following the initial consultation (if you prefer this option). However, should unexpected matters arise this may be subject to increase, but we will of course keep you updated.
Road traffic offences fees
Please check your car insurance policy to check whether you have Legal Expenses Insurance that may cover the costs.
Should your matter concern a Road Traffic Offence which is dealt with at a single hearing, the fixed fee is £1500 (exclusive of VAT). Should the matter require more hearings, or become more complex, a tailored quotation will be provided to you. However, as a general rule, the fee will include the following:
- The matter to be dealt with by a lawyer or junior counsel
- Initial conference to take instructions on what happened
- Considering disclosure and providing legal advice on the evidence
- Providing initial advice in respect of the potential for ‘Exceptional hardship’ arguments where the offence may result in a “totting up” ban due to the number of points on the licence, or ‘Special Reasons’ arguments where a mandatory minimum may be imposed
- Providing advice on the potential penalty and the penalty options available to the court
- Explaining the court procedure to prepare you for the day of your hearing
- Conducting any further preparatory work, obtaining further instructions from you if necessary, and dealing with any follow up queries you have
- Attendance and representation at the first hearing at the Magistrates’ Court
- Discussing the outcome of the hearing with you
The fee does not include:
- Any disbursements (see in more detail below)
- Taking or preparing witness statements
- The making of a special reasons or exceptional hardship argument
- Attendance at court by a specialist independent barrister
- Any further hearings or preparation for these (£750 plus VAT per hearing should this be needed)
- Advice on appeal or preparing an appeal
Disbursements
Disbursements are not included in our professional fees, as these are costs related to your matter that are payable to third parties, such as external counsel, expert witnesses, court costs, interpreter fees, travel costs, etc. At times we can handle the payment of the disbursements on your behalf to ensure a smoother process.
FAQs
Being accused or arrested for a crime can be extremely stressful and incredibly daunting. You should look for representation immediately, our team can help you.
Call us on 020 3051 5060.
You should look for experienced criminal defence lawyers that understand your situation.
We are a trusted expert.
If you are notified that an employee is arrested or being investigated then you should complete your own investigation and assessment. Your HR team should follow company policies.
Any dismissal needs to be in accordance with the Employment Rights Act 1996 for the reasons outlined in section 98.
For more information contact our employment department.
There are many reasons why you might be accused of a serious crime. You should stay calm and seek legal advice early. The initial interview is essential and without legal representation you could say something that could be used against you. An experienced criminal defence lawyer understands the justice system and can support you through this interview.
Provide our legal team all the facts early and allow them to represent you. We understand
If you have been accused or arrested then you should seek the support of a criminal defence lawyer.
We provide legal representation to clients suspected or charged with an array of criminal offences.
Book a call back
We cover:
- Assault
- Bail Applications and Bail Variation
- Benefit Fraud
- Cash Seizure and Forfeiture
- Computer and Internet Crime
- Confiscation & Asset Seizure
- Consumer Protection & Trading Standards
- Criminal Appeals
- Criminal Interview Advice and Representation
- Crisis Management
- Debt Recovery
- Dispute Resolution & Mediation
- Drug Offence
- Extradition
- Insolvency
- Money Laundering
- Police Station Advice
- Pre-Charge Representation and Proactive Defence
- Proceeds of Crime (POCA)
- Road Traffic and Motoring Offences
- Serious Fraud
- Sexual Offences
- Surveillance & Interception
- Youth Crime Defence
