Written 2nd November 2022 by Matthew Corn

At Olliers we have specialist expertise and vast experience in defending clients charged with Serious crime offences.

I head up the Serious Crime Department which encompasses the following (non-exhaustive) list of offence types:

Murder and Manslaughter
Conspiracy to Import or supply prohibited drugs
Terrorism
Conspiracy to supply or possess firearms and prohibited weapons
People trafficking
Serious Fraud
Money Laundering

What can we do for you?

If you, a family member or a friend is arrested or charged with offences of this type, it is very important you seek urgent legal advice. Here at Olliers, we provide representation for Serious crime defence nationwide on a legally aided or private basis. We provide a high quality service of client case. You will be in face to face contact with myself or one of my colleagues on a regular basis where we will discuss the evidence in a methodical thorough way in order to take your full instructions. Given our experience over many years in this field you can be confident that we understand your concerns and anxieties when faced with a serious allegation made against you. We are very approachable and will provide at every stage of the proceedings appropriate advice on procedure, the strength of evidence and this will give you the reassurance that your case is being dealt with by specialists in the field.

The thorough preparation of such cases is the key to achieving the best outcome. Often we trawl through complex and voluminous evidence, whether it be scientific, financial, telecommunications or media and regularly utilise the services of expert witnesses to provide reports. We draft detailed defence statements and where necessary, submissions for disclosure. Your case might involve complex legal arguments concerning the admissibility of evidence obtained which might require the instruction of a telecommunications expert in respect of, for example, encro chat. The case may rest on the concept of joint enterprise. It may be a complex fraud where the instruction of a forensic accountant is necessary. The case might involve medical evidence where the instruction of a forensic consultant is required. Whatever the scenario presented to us in the case we have the expertise to deal with it.

Our department instructs high quality barristers from chambers nationwide and you will be invited to regular conferences to meet and discuss your case with your barrister.

Who are we?

I am assisted in this department by experienced practitioners in the field who undertake their own Serious crime cases including Alex Close-Claughton who is an Associate, and James Claughton, a Solicitor.

Please view our website for examples of recent cases undertaken, and also view the video content on our website and YouTube channel which explains in lay terms some of the issues dealt with in this department. At any given time we are engaged in a variety of such matters. Should you require representation for yourself or on behalf of someone else in respect of such cases please feel free to contact me or my colleagues on 0161 8341515.