Kingsley Napley 24 HOUR SEARCH Criminal Defence and Police Investigations Home Services Criminal Litigation Criminal Defence and Police Investigations "The KN team are one of the best known, oldest and highly regarded teams in this area of work. They get first rate work and deliver excellent results." Legal 500 UK 2021 We are recognised as the leading criminal defence firm in the UK. We represent clients at police station interviews through to proceedings at the Magistrates’ and Crown Court. Our reputation is based on over 80 years of discreetly yet fearlessly providing the highest quality legal advice and representation to our clients. We represent a wide range of clients, including young people, professionals and well-known individuals in government, sports, media, entertainment and financial industries, for whom a criminal investigation can have devastating reputational, personal, financial and professional consequences. We work closely with our reputation and media lawyers to provide a seamless comprehensive service. Accused of a criminal offence Contacting us as soon as you become aware of a police investigation increases the opportunity to resolve the matter quickly and discreetly. We will seek to avoid an arrest and protect you from the resulting potentially damaging consequences, such as oppressive bail conditions and restriction on your current or future travel. We know that the police interview is often the most significant aspect of a criminal case. Getting the right advice at this stage is crucial. Our experienced police station advisers will carefully guide you through this challenging process. For cases that go to court, we examine every detail to ensure the best possible outcome. Working alongside barristers and expert witnesses, we ensure that every legal or evidential point is carefully considered. This approach has seen our clients enjoy a high acquittal rate. Where a conviction cannot be avoided, we ensure that mitigation is advanced to maximise the chances of the most lenient sentence. Kingsley Napley is ranked in Band 1 for Crime by both Chambers and Partners and Legal 500. "The ‘first-rate’ team at Kingsley Napley LLP is ‘efficient, strategic, committed and able to handle the most complex of criminal cases as well as more general crime cases’. It advises corporations and individuals on sexual offences, violent crimes, drug offences, firearms offences, extradition and high-profile matters with an international element." Legal 500 UK 2019 "They very much embrace the need to look at the whole situation; they look at the media exposure - for people in the public eye and for a particular type of high net worth individual, that's very important and I've seen them handle that side of things very well. They're one of those few firms that would give clients a genuine round-the-clock service, seven days a week" Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2018 EXAMPLES OF RECENT WORK WHAT CLIENTS AND DIRECTORIES HAVE SAID Further information If you are accused of a criminal offence or you have any questions, please contact a member of our criminal litigation team or call us on 020 7814 1200 to speak with us in confidence. +44 (0)20 7814 1200 Contact the team David Sleight Partner Email David Sandra Paul Partner Email Sandra Nicola Finnerty Partner VIEW FULL TEAM Highly collaborative and team based in everything they do. Friendly and down to earth while also being world class. Uniquely able to bring together the brightest and the best but without being pompous or superior in their attitude. Great listeners, hard workers and tactically the best in the business." Legal 500 UK 2021 The lawyers on the crime team are relentlessly good at what they do. They have a collaborative approach and are incredibly thorough and detailed in their work." Chambers UK 2021 KN are exceptional in almost all categories! They are streaks ahead of everyone else and provide a very high level of service. If I were in trouble that’s where I would go. I like the fact they are genuinely committed to providing excellence even on less lucrative cases or on cases of less seriousness. They completely get how serious every case is for a client . They unfailing do the very best for their clients." Legal 500 UK 2021 In dealing with the firm, every aspect was outstanding and of the highest quality." Chambers UK 2021 Sandra Paul discusses the complexities and challenges of dealing with allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace Latest blogs & news Being accused of sexual misconduct when you are a child As a criminal defence solicitor specialising in defending allegations of sexual misconduct and representing children, the perfect storm that has erupted since the launch of Everyone’s Invited has made me privy to some of the saddest and most distraught children I have ever advised. READ MORE ... Regressive approaches to sentencing will not help children or society The head of the Youth Justice Board has rightly criticised the Government’s plans to raise child custodial sentences. At a time when England and Wales falls behind most European countries in protecting children with the lowest age of criminal responsibility (10), it is inexplicable that the Government is taking a further regressive step by seeking to increase the length of time that children must spend in prison. READ MORE ... Youth Justice: Is reform on the way for young people who turn 18 while in the criminal justice system? Children under 18 years old are afforded a number of special protections by virtue of the fact that they are children in the eyes of the law. These protections fall away when an individual turns 18 and they are legally considered an ‘adult’. For defendants who cross the threshold into adulthood during the criminal process, the impact of reaching this milestone can be profound. READ MORE ... Tackling Racial Injustice: Children and the Youth Justice System Today JUSTICE has published the latest working party report ‘Tackling Racial Injustice: Children and the Youth Justice System’. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to chair the working party that produced this report. The report makes practical recommendations to reduce BAME disproportionality in the Youth Justice System (YJS) of England and Wales. READ MORE ... Outcome 22: are the police utilising this important diversionary tool or leaving it on the shelf? David Lammy’s landmark review of racial bias in the Criminal Justice System (‘CJS’), made many key recommendations to help improve trust and fairness in the CJS when it was published in 2017. One of which was to expand the use of the deferred prosecution for adults and young offenders. READ MORE ... GOWISELY: Time to stop and think about stop and search The aftermath of the death of George Floyd and the strength of feeling surrounding the Black Lives Matter movement should provide Police forces in the UK with a reason to re-assess their relationships with the communities that they serve. READ MORE ... Student misconduct allegations and the right to a fair hearing The temptation to approach the adjudication of a student complaint as merely an ‘internal process’, is one of the most common errors made by some higher education institutions. The process adopted must be capable of examination by an independent and external eye to ensure that at each stage of the process, the rights of all individuals involved are protected. READ MORE ... How Universities should investigate a complaint under the disciplinary procedure Once an allegation is made against a student (or member of academic staff), either by another student, a member of staff or someone outside the university, it is important that that the University takes stock of the issue and acts carefully to ensure fairness to all parties. READ MORE ... The first crucial steps: how Universities should respond to allegations of misconduct University providers owe a duty of care towards staff members and students; this duty takes on particular significance during a disciplinary process and it is essential that Universities provide appropriate and relevant information and support to all parties involved in allegations of misconduct. READ MORE ... Getting it right from the start: University policies for dealing with non-academic misconduct complaints What happens when a complaint is made to a University about the conduct of a student or a member of academic staff? What should the procedures for the resolution of these complaints look like and how can all parties be reassured that such allegations will be resolved fairly? READ MORE ... I May Destroy You, Part 3: A study of sexual assault - Voyeurism, Revenge Porn, Youth Justice and False Allegations This blog series examines some of the sexual offences encountered by the main characters in the explosive 12-part BBC series, ‘I May Destroy You’. This final instalment focuses on a character called Theo and the events that occurred when she was a youth, during her high school years. READ MORE ... Legal limbo for children: The risks of turning 18 The impact of Coronavirus is significant and far-reaching for all children and young adults. For a youth justice system creaking under strain with serious delays, the lockdown has only compounded the problems and brings a raft of serious consequences. Timely justice is ever more important. READ MORE ... Appealing and challenging university disciplinary decisions: what students need to know Where a student has had an unfavourable outcome from a university disciplinary process, that need not be the end of the road. It may still be possible for them to appeal or otherwise challenge the higher education provider’s decision. READ MORE ... Reflections on Westminster Higher Education Conference, Priorities for tackling sexual violence and harassment in higher education At last week’s Westminster Higher Education (HE) Conference, speakers from Student Unions, Universities, to regulators and law firms discussed how best to tackle sexual violence and harassment in high education, including how to change campus culture and improve complaints and disciplinary processes. This blog summarises those discussions and reflects on where the sector’s key focus areas should be now. READ MORE ... Joe Marler and the case of the arched eyebrow Props are well known for their fondness of the ‘dark arts’ of Rugby, but over the weekend (7 March 2020) the England prop Joe Marler went a step further. In this blog, Matthew Hardcastle looks at the situation and explains whether it should be considered sexual assault or not. READ MORE ... Cross-border criminal justice post-Brexit – Operation Yellowhammer Tucked in between the “reasonable worst-case” scenarios for food, trade and fuel is a stark one liner: “Law enforcement and information sharing between U.K. and EU will be disrupted”. The reduction in capability of law enforcement agencies that will come from a no deal will, according to government documents, be accompanied by an increase in cross-border crime. READ MORE ... Challenging the prosecution of weak cases and the lack of anonymity for those accused of sexual offences The recent acquittal of our client, Oritsé Williams, once again puts a spotlight on the prosecution of rape and serious sexual offences, and the particular complexities faced by high profile individuals defending allegations of this nature. READ MORE ... SFO guidance on co-operation: more carrot than stick? The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) was established to investigate and prosecute cases involving serious or complex fraud, a mission that inevitably leads it to the corporate sector. In 2010, it was given two significant tools in dealing with companies: a simple route to corporate criminal liability for bribery cases in the Bribery Act 2010 (the stick); and a means of incentivising a company fixed with corporate criminal liability to co-operate with the SFO by entering into a deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) and so avoiding a conviction (the carrot). READ MORE ... Criminalising children – at what age and what cost? As the Scottish Parliament raises the age of criminal responsibility to 12, the law in England & Wales becomes even more isolated from the rest of the Western World. The Equality and Human Rights Commission, in relying on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a convention to which the UK is a signatory, continues to criticise the UK in no uncertain terms regarding our failure to raise the age from 10 (the lowest in the region) to 14. READ MORE ... Sentences for young people should take account of their maturity Ministry of Justice figures show that 18 to 25-year-olds account for a third of the total social and economic costs of crime as victims or offenders, despite making up only 10 per cent of the population. READ MORE ... CRIMINAL LAWYERS CRIMINAL DEFENCE SOLICITORS CRIMINAL LAW CRIMINAL LITIGATION POLICE INVESTIGATIONS Services Police Station Representation and Advice Our team includes specialist police station advisers. We are proactive in achieving the best outcomes for our clients. Sexual Offences We deal with the highest profile and most sensitive cases, providing expert advice and support to both individuals and companies. Sports, Media and High Profile Personalities For over 75 years, our lawyers have discreetly advised public figures in some of the highest profile cases of the last century. Our lawyers understand the pressures of being in the public eye and seek to shield our clients from the often intrusive media glare. Appeals and Miscarriages of Justice We recognise that the criminal justice system is fallible. To be convicted of an offence or otherwise be the subject of any adverse finding is hurtful and frustrating. Court Proceedings The decision about which court your case should be heard in is an important one, read more about frequently asked questions relating to court proceedings. Cyber Crime Whether you are facing an investigation or prosecution or are the target of such activity, our cyber crime lawyers can help. Drugs There is a myth that sharing drugs amongst friends is OK. When you pass a drug to someone else, even if it is not for money, this amounts to supply. Firearms Our weapons and firearms legislation consists of a complicated labyrinth of law that dating back to 1968. We have successfully guided novices through to firearms enthusiasts giving advice as to the best course to take. Our criminal law team includes specialist advisers with an interest and expertise in this specialist area. Harassment and Other Familial Allegations From allegations dealing with the threat of violence or the ever-changing landscape of stalking and harassment to new offences, such as controlling or coercive behaviour and revenge porn our internationally recognised expert solicitors are highly experienced in representing clients accused of offences within personal relationships. Assault, Murder and Other Offences Involving Violence Our lawyers have a wealth of experience in dealing with allegation of serious crime including offences against the person such as assault, murder and manslaughter throughout the life of a case from the police station through to trial. Youth Crime and the Law Our experienced youth crime lawyers are committed to understanding your child and finding a solution that protects their reputation. Serious Road Traffic Offences The law relating to driving offences is amongst the most complex in criminal law. Many people rely on their vehicles for their jobs or their families. Losing your licence can have devastating effects on all aspects of your life. Should you find yourself subject to a police investigation or summons, it is vital that you obtain professional legal advice as quickly as possible. Blackmail and Extortion Should you find yourself the victim of extortion or are accused of threatening someone, you should seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity. Simple Cautions FAQs We answer some of the most frequently asked questions asked about simple cautions Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Offences Whether advising corporates or individuals caught up in investigations, to conducting internal investigations for companies or advising individuals affected by those internal investigations, we help our clients steer a course through the challenges. Restraint Orders, Confiscation and Third Party Rights We advise individuals and corporates in relation to restraint orders and third party applications in respect of property caught by restraint orders. Medical Cannabis: Licensing and Investment We advise corporates and individuals on all aspects of investing and licensing in cannabis industry. Dawn Raids, Search and Seizure When subject to a “Dawn Raid”, search and seizure operation and search order you require timely advice. Our specialist lawyers can provide the assistance you require. Private Prosecutions Private prosecutions provide a useful legal remedy for companies, regulators and individuals to pursue criminal proceedings. Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace We advise organisations and individuals dealing with sexual misconduct in the workplace. Victims and Witnesses of Crime Being a witness or victim of crime can be a challenging experience. We guide victims and witnesses through the criminal justice system. Political Affairs Our international work includes dealing with the suite of issues that may arise from politically motivated persecutions. Criminal Defence and Police Investigations Insights BLOG Being accused of sexual misconduct when you are a child Sandra Paul BLOG Regressive approaches to sentencing will not help children or society Áine Kervick BLOG Select Committees and your right to silence David Sleight LOAD MORE Let us take it from here. +44 (0)20 7814 1200 enquiries@kingsleynapley.co.uk CONNECT WITH KN LINKED IN TWITTER SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST Kingsley Napley Legal Notices Privacy Notice Fraud Warning Modern Slavery Statement Complaints Website Terms Cookie Policy Accessibility Site Map © Kingsley Napley LLP. All rights reserved. Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, registration number 500046.