Criminal Law
Key Legal Services Offered – Criminal Law
Forest & Co provides expert legal representation in all aspects of Criminal Law, ensuring a strong defence and legal support for individuals facing criminal charges. Our solicitors work closely with barristers to build a strategic case and protect your rights.
The police station stage is one of the most important parts of any criminal case. What happens during an interview under caution can shape the direction of an investigation and significantly affect the outcome. At Forest & Co, we provide professional, calm, and strategic legal advice to individuals who have been arrested or invited to attend a voluntary interview.
We can assist with:
- Advice before and during police interviews
- Understanding the disclosure provided by the police
- Advising on whether to answer questions or submit a written statement
- Responding to police bail or release under investigation
- Ensuring your rights are respected throughout the process
Whether you are facing allegations of a minor offence or a serious criminal matter, having legal representation at the police station is essential. Even if you believe you have done nothing wrong, how you handle the initial stages can have long-term consequences.
We regularly advise clients in cases involving allegations of assault, theft, fraud, drug offences, and more complex matters such as money laundering or conspiracy.
If you have been contacted by the police, it is important to speak with a solicitor before attending an interview. Forest & Co is here to support you with clear advice and robust legal protection from the very beginning.
Being held in custody can have an immediate and devastating impact on an individual’s life, affecting employment, family responsibilities, and mental wellbeing. At Forest & Co, we understand the urgency and sensitivity of securing bail, and we act quickly and effectively to prepare and present compelling bail applications.
Whether you or your loved one has been arrested and kept in custody or bail has already been refused, our team can assist with both initial bail applications and appeals against refusal. We carefully assess the reasons for detention, gather supporting evidence, and build persuasive arguments to demonstrate that bail conditions can be met and that any risk to the public or the investigation can be properly managed.
We also represent clients in appeals to the Crown Court when the Magistrates’ Court refuses bail, as well as in applications to vary or remove restrictive bail conditions that may interfere with work, travel, or family life.
Our team is experienced in:
- Making urgent same-day bail applications
- Preparing surety documents and identifying appropriate bail conditions
- Appealing refusals and variations of bail
- Representing clients in both Magistrates’ and Crown Court bail proceedings
- Advising foreign nationals or those facing immigration-related bail issues
When liberty is at stake, we provide responsive, strategic, and tenacious legal representation aimed at getting you or your loved one released as swiftly as possible.
Facing criminal prosecution can be overwhelming, but having the right legal team by your side makes a significant difference. At Forest & Co, we provide expert defence representation at every stage of the criminal justice process — from the first court appearance to trial and sentencing — in both the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court.
Our team is experienced in defending a wide range of offences including theft, assault, drug-related offences, public order offences, and more serious allegations such as conspiracy and violent crime. We tailor our approach to the individual circumstances of each case, ensuring your version of events is fully investigated and effectively presented in court.
We assist with:
- First appearances and plea hearings
- Case preparation, evidence review, and disclosure challenges
- Engaging expert witnesses and forensic specialists
- Drafting defence statements and trial advocacy strategy
- Sentencing submissions and mitigation
- Coordinating with experienced barristers and King’s Counsel in complex or high-risk matters
In the Magistrates’ Court, where cases are often decided quickly, we act promptly to secure the best possible outcome, whether that be an acquittal, a case dismissal, or a lenient sentence. For cases escalated to the Crown Court, we prepare meticulously, exploring all legal and factual defences and challenging the prosecution at every stage.
We prioritise transparency, clear communication, and strategic thinking — keeping you informed, empowered, and properly defended throughout your case.
Forest & Co provides expert representation in serious and high-risk criminal cases, including those involving allegations of organised crime, drug conspiracies, serious violence, firearms, and human trafficking. These cases often involve large volumes of evidence, complex legal issues, and multiple agencies such as the NCA or HMRC.
We are experienced in defending:
- Drug trafficking and supply conspiracies
- Violent offences including GBH and attempted murder
- Firearms and weapons-related charges
- Human trafficking and modern slavery
- Multi-defendant and cross-jurisdictional prosecutions
Our solicitors work closely with leading barristers, forensic experts, and digital analysts to build strong defence strategies. We challenge every aspect of the case — from the lawfulness of police conduct to the reliability of witness and expert evidence.
We understand the serious consequences these charges carry, and we act quickly, thoroughly, and with discretion to protect your rights and secure the best possible outcome.
Allegations of fraud and financial crime can be complex, damaging, and highly stressful — particularly when your reputation, finances, or professional standing are at risk. At Forest & Co, we have extensive experience defending individuals and businesses facing a wide range of financial crime investigations and prosecutions.
We regularly assist with cases involving:
- Allegations of benefit fraud, mortgage fraud, and tax evasion
- Investment and pension fraud
- Money laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) offences
- Company director and employee fraud
- HMRC and SFO investigations
Our approach is detailed and strategic. We review financial records, challenge the prosecution’s interpretation of transactions, and bring in expert forensic accountants when needed. Many of our clients are professionals, business owners, or company directors, and we understand the commercial and personal implications of a criminal investigation.
We also offer early legal advice and representation during interviews under caution, voluntary interviews, and dawn raids. Early involvement often leads to better outcomes — including avoiding charges altogether.
Whether you are under investigation or already facing prosecution, we will work to protect your interests, reputation, and future.
Cases involving the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) often begin with serious disruption: frozen accounts, seized assets, and the threat of confiscation. At Forest & Co, we offer skilled and proactive defence in POCA matters, helping individuals and businesses protect their property and respond effectively to enforcement action.
We assist clients facing:
- Account Freezing Orders (AFOs) and Account Forfeiture Orders
- Cash Seizures at airports or other points of entry
- Restraint Orders during criminal investigations or prosecutions
- Confiscation Proceedings following conviction
Our team acts swiftly to challenge these orders, secure the release of funds, and limit the financial impact on our clients. We regularly deal with complex cases involving large sums of money, third-party interests, and international financial transactions.
We work closely with financial experts and investigators to demonstrate that assets or funds are legitimate and should not be subject to seizure. In cases where the proceedings cannot be avoided, we negotiate firmly and strategically to reach fair settlements and reduce the risk of unnecessary loss.
With POCA cases, time is crucial. We advise clients to seek legal advice as early as possible — ideally before responding to enforcement authorities or providing financial information.
Whether you are facing penalty points, a driving ban, or a criminal conviction, motoring offences can have serious consequences for your personal and professional life. At Forest & Co, we provide clear, practical advice and strong representation to help you protect your licence and your livelihood.
We assist with:
- Speeding, careless or dangerous driving
- Drink driving and drug driving
- Driving without insurance or while disqualified
- Mobile phone offences and failing to provide information
- Exceptional hardship and special reasons arguments
Our solicitors assess the strength of the evidence against you and explore every option available — whether that means defending the allegation, negotiating a lesser charge, or presenting persuasive mitigation to the court.
For professionals, taxi drivers, or those whose job depends on their licence, we understand what is at stake. We act quickly, prepare thoroughly, and aim to achieve the best outcome, from avoiding disqualification to reducing fines or penalty points
Even minor driving offences can lead to long-term consequences — we are here to make sure your case is handled with care and expertise.
If you have been wrongly convicted, received an unfair sentence, or experienced an unlawful decision by a public authority, you may have grounds to challenge that outcome through an appeal or judicial review. At Forest & Co, we help clients correct miscarriages of justice and challenge legal errors that have had serious personal or financial consequences.
We provide legal support in:
- Appeals against conviction or sentence in the Crown Court
- Case stated appeals from the Magistrates’ Court
- Applications for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal
- Judicial reviews of unlawful decisions by the police, courts, or other authorities
- Advice on time limits, grounds for appeal, and fresh evidence
Our solicitors take the time to review your case thoroughly, identify procedural or legal errors, and work with specialist counsel where necessary. We understand that the appeal process is time-sensitive and emotionally difficult — especially when your liberty, career, or immigration status is affected.
Not every case can be appealed, but where there is a viable route, we act decisively to protect your rights and fight for a fair outcome. Whether you are seeking to overturn a conviction or challenge an ongoing investigation, we will provide honest advice and experienced representation at every stage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Whether you have been arrested or invited for a voluntary interview, legal representation ensures that your rights are protected and that you receive proper advice before answering questions. What you say during an interview can have serious consequences for your case.
The Magistrates’ Court deals with less serious offences and the early stages of most cases. More serious matters or cases involving trial by jury are referred to the Crown Court. Forest & Co represents clients in both courts at all stages.
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Yes. If you believe there was a legal error, unfairness during trial, or that new evidence has come to light, you may be able to appeal. We can assess your case and advise on the grounds and prospects of appeal.
You should seek legal advice immediately. Delays can worsen the situation or lead to forfeiture of funds. We are experienced in challenging account freezing orders and protecting our clients’ assets.
Yes. We regularly help clients avoid disqualification or reduce penalty points through strong legal argument and mitigation. Each case depends on the facts, but legal representation can make a real difference.
A voluntary interview means you have not been arrested, but the police still suspect you of an offence. It is just as serious as a formal interview under arrest. You have the right to legal advice, and we strongly recommend you speak to us beforehand.
Costs vary depending on the complexity of your case and the stage of proceedings. We will always provide clear information about fees from the outset, and in some cases, we may offer fixed-fee arrangements or explore legal aid eligibility where applicable.
