Olliers ranked as Tier One Firm Crime and Fraud in Legal 500 Guide 2025

Olliers Solicitors are delighted to have once again been recommended as a Tier One Firm in General Crime and Fraud in the Northwest in the Legal 500 United Kingdom 2025 Edition which has been now published (Wednesday 2nd October 2024).

Tier One Crime and Fraud:

The Legal 500 2025 Guide comments as follows:

‘Olliers excels at defending clients in criminal investigations and prosecutions relating to financial crime, business crime, serious criminal allegations including murder, manslaughter and drugs conspiracies as well as serious sexual offences. The group is well regarded for its work on pre-charge criminal investigations. Exemplifying this in particular is Manchester-based department head Matthew Claughton, who is a leading expert in this field nationally. Gareth Martin joined the firm in June 2023 from Markel Law LLP and Richard Cornthwaite arrived in April 2023 from Cartwright King. Other key members of the team are Matthew Corn, Zita Spencer, Laura Baumanis and Toby Wilbraham, as well as Alex Close-Claughton.’

Quotes include:

‘Olliers is a long-established firm with expertise in all areas of criminal law. I have worked with members of the firm over many years and I am able to confirm their strength in depth.

‘Olliers is a firm dedicated to criminal practice, and it shows. The depth of knowledge and experience in criminal law is unmatched, and they are easily the best firm in Manchester for criminal lawyers.’

Matthew Claughton, Leading criminal defence partner

Our Managing Director Matthew Claughton has once again been listed as a ‘Leading Partner’ in the Guide with quotes as follows:

“This is a unique practice. Matthew Claughton is a visionary. Tactically superb, manages a legal team to perfection, top-class choice for complex financial crime matters. Highly respected nationally.”

“Matthew Claughton leads the practice. He seeks advice when it is appropriate and has a good knowledge base.”

Other recommended lawyers

Olliers’ Partner Gareth Martin who joined Olliers in 2023 has been ranked as a Next Generation Partner in Health and Safety Law as well as Crime. Gareth heads up Olliers’ Regulatory Department.

Other recommended lawyers include:

• Laura Baumanis
• Matthew Corn
• Zita Spencer
• Toby Wilbraham
• Alex Close-Claughton

Quotes from the Guide about recommended lawyers include:

Matthew Corn

‘Matt Corn deals with heavy crime. He is assiduous in keeping on top of his cases and clearly is 100% committed, with very good judgment.’

‘Matt Corn is an able practitioner – diligent, thorough and always committed to his client’s case. He is a pleasure to work with, not least because he is pro-active and sensible. I should add that his concern for client welfare shines through. Excellent.’

‘Matthew Corn is sought out by hardened career criminals. Matt is a fighter and does not give up until he has got the very best deal available for his clients, one of the most experienced solicitors for gang related murders and absolutely the number 1 choice for juveniles facing the most serious criminal charges in the Crown Courts.’

Zita Spencer

‘Zita Spencer is the undisputed queen of sexual offence defence. Her acquittal after trial rate is off the scale. Her ability to explain every angle of the case to her clients in a way that they take on board, and be able to work with, is astounding. She is like a guardian angel to her clients and she never gives less than 110%.’

‘Zita Spencer has a very strong practice in defending sex crimes.’

Toby Wilbraham

‘Toby Wilbraham has a unique ability to see through all the distractions and get straight to the heart of any case. Unbelievable success rate in pre charge representations. He simply sets out how he would destroy the prosecution case before it has even been contemplated and they take his word for it and call it a day there and then.’

Professional Discipline

Olliers’ professional discipline department also featured as a firm to watch in the category of public sector – health.

The Guide commented:

‘Gareth Martin, who is adept in regulatory and criminal law, joined Olliers in June 2023. The professional discipline team handles crime-related matters, defends doctors, and advises on professional regulations.’

Olliers Solicitors, Leading Criminal Defence Law Firm

Olliers is firmly established as one of the UK’s leading criminal defence and regulatory law firms specialising in the defence of individuals, businesses and other organisations across a broad range of corporate and financial crime, regulatory breaches, serious crime, sexual offences, professional discipline, inquests and public inquiries.

In 2024 we won the award for Crime Team of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards for the seventh time.