Enforcement of environmental law and the associated criminal offences are investigated and prosecuted by the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, and The Health and Safety Executive.
The environmental prosecution agencies have large ranging powers they can use for alleged non-compliance with environmental law. Breaches of environmental offences can prove very expensive with orders to remediate damage caused by environmental offences often running to many tens of thousands of pounds.
Where an individual or company director is charged with an environmental offence, the ultimate sanction for the breach of environmental law can be a sentence of imprisonment and huge prosecution costs.
From the illegal dumping of waste, to failing to comply with a waste transfer certificate or operating a waste facility without a proper permit, defending environmental offences requires expert environmental law solicitors.
Our solicitors at Wilkstone have experience in defending investigations and prosecutions brought by The Environment Agency and Natural Resources Wales. From interviews and the caution to defending environmental cases in the Crown Court, our expert environmental law solicitors are on call to advise you.
Likewise the Health and Safety Executive (The HSE) will often be tasked with investigating and prosecuting individuals and companies involved in the construction industry where health and safety offences or breaches of the CDM Construction and Management Regulations 2015 are alleged.
CDM breaches are criminal offences under health and safety legislation. Company directors, site managers and limited companies can face investigation and prosecution for health and safety breaches committed on construction sites. The ultimate consequence of a proven breach of the Construction and Management Regulations could be be significant fine and/or a sentence of imprisonment.
The solicitors at Wilkstone Law have expert experience in defending company directors and companies accused of breaches of the Construction and Management Regulations 2015 brought by The HSE. We can attend to represent you during any interview under caution, liaise and negotiate with the HSE during the investigation and if necessary advise and represent you in subsequent criminal court proceedings.
There will be many cases where legal fees incurred for a criminal investigation commenced for an environmental offence or a health and safety offence committed on a construction site are covered under the terms of a legal expenses policy. Wilkstone Law are often instructed under the terms of an insurance policy and/or can agree an initial fixed fee consultation for the first meeting to discuss your defence.
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If you have been arrested, you should not answer police questions until you have received expert legal advice from criminal defence solicitors.
You should only confirm your name and basic personal details before requesting legal representation. You are entitled to free legal advice whilst in police custody, and early representation at the police station can significantly affect the outcome of a criminal investigation.
Wilkstone Law provide immediate police station representation and expert legal advice for clients accused of criminal offences throughout Cardiff and across England and Wales.
If you have been released on police bail or released under investigation, it is important to seek expert legal advice as soon as possible.
Our criminal defence solicitors can review the evidence, advise you in relation to the investigation and consider whether pre-charge engagement with the police may be appropriate. In some criminal cases, early representations can result in allegations being dropped or no further action being taken.
We can also advise upon:
Early strategic advice can strengthen your defence and improve the outcome of your case.
Wilkstone Law can provide independent expert legal advice and a second opinion regarding your criminal defence matter.
Our solicitors can obtain the police disclosure and paperwork from the Duty Solicitor, review the evidence and advise whether the legal advice previously provided was appropriate in the circumstances.
We regularly assist clients who require ongoing representation following release from police custody and can take over conduct of the case where appropriate.
Call us as soon as possible – we will agree a fixed fee consultation to discuss and advise upon your case. At this meeting, we will advise you upon what happens next and will apply for copies of the police statements and evidence before your first court appearance.
We will carefully consider the evidence and advise you upon the strength of the police evidence and upon any defence that you may have to the charges you face. There may be urgent steps that we advise you to take to strengthen your defence before you appear in court.
The first appearance in any court case is at the Magistrates Court – we can appear in court on your behalf to represent you.
If you have been charged with a criminal offence and required to attend court, you should seek legal advice immediately.
Our criminal defence solicitors in Cardiff can advise you upon:
The first hearing in a criminal case will usually take place before the Magistrates’ Court. Early preparation and expert representation can make a significant difference to the progression and outcome of proceedings.
Yes. The first call to Wilkstone Law is free.
During the initial call, we can provide general guidance regarding next steps and arrange a fixed fee consultation to discuss your case in greater detail. However, we cannot provide case-specific legal advice until formally instructed.
Consultations can usually be arranged at short notice either in person, by telephone, or via video conference.
Our fixed fee consultations start from £500 plus VAT.
Following the initial consultation, we are often able to provide a fixed fee quotation for representation throughout the lifetime of your criminal case.
Legal fees will depend upon several factors including:
Wilkstone Law also advise clients in relation to legal aid and Legal Aid Agency funding where available.
Wilkstone Law are accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Our Managing Director, Jon Wilkins, is recognised as a Grade A Solicitor by the Legal Aid Agency and is a recommended lawyer in The Legal 500.
Our criminal defence solicitors are highly regarded for providing expert legal advice and representation in serious and complex criminal cases.