At Wilkstone Law, our specialist criminal appeals solicitors have extensive experience handling criminal appeals arising from proceedings in the Crown Court, Magistrates’ Court, and other courts within the criminal justice system.
If you have been found guilty after trial in a criminal court, it is essential to obtain legal advice from experienced criminal appeal solicitors as quickly as possible. Strict time limits apply to every appeal against conviction or sentence, and failing to follow the correct procedures may affect your ability to pursue a successful appeal.
Our specialist team acts for convicted clients seeking to challenge a conviction, sentence, or other outcome arising from a criminal case. We provide clear advice on the appeals process and ensure every appeal is prepared to give clients the best possible chance of success.
Our appeal solicitors advise clients on criminal appeals involving both conviction and sentence. Whether you were convicted in the Crown Court or Magistrates’ Court, our criminal defence team can advise on whether sufficient grounds of appeal exist.
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An appeal against conviction may involve:
Our criminal appeals solicitors provide expert legal advice on whether there are sufficient grounds to seek leave to appeal before the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal.
Time limits are extremely important in every criminal appeal. In most appeals from the Crown Court, the Notice and Grounds of Appeal must be lodged within 28 days of conviction or sentence.
Failure to comply with the correct procedures or time limits may result in the appeal court refusing permission for the appeal to proceed. However, in certain circumstances, our appeal solicitors can advise on whether permission may still be granted for an appeal lodged out of time.
There is not always an automatic right to appeal, and, in many criminal appeals, a single judge will first decide whether to grant permission or leave to appeal.
Once an appeal is lodged, the single judge will consider:
If permission is granted, the appeal may proceed to a full hearing before the full court of the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal.
Every appeal against conviction or sentence must be supported by carefully prepared grounds explaining why the conviction, sentence, or outcome was wrong in law or procedure.
Our criminal appeal solicitors prepare detailed legal submissions supported by statutory law, case authorities, prosecution material, and evidence from the original hearing. We ensure all appeal documents are correctly drafted and lodged in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Rules.
A successful appeal may involve fresh evidence appeals where important new evidence was unavailable during the original trial. In some cases, additional evidence may demonstrate that a person was wrongly convicted.
Fresh evidence can involve:
In certain circumstances, the Court of Appeal may order a retrial or second trial following a successful appeal.
Our appeal solicitors also advise clients seeking to challenge a sentence imposed by the Crown Court where the sentence is manifestly excessive or legally wrong.
We can advise on whether there are sufficient grounds to appeal a sentence and whether there is a realistic prospect of a reduced sentence or different outcome.
In urgent circumstances, we can also seek expedited hearings before the appeal court.
In some criminal cases, judicial review may be the only route available to challenge decisions made by courts or public bodies.
Our criminal appeals solicitors can advise on whether judicial review proceedings in the senior courts or the highest court are appropriate in addition to the standard appeals process.
We also advise accused individuals and families seeking to challenge convictions through the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
Our specialist team can advise clients on the availability of legal aid for criminal appeals and appellate work.
We are frequently instructed to provide a second opinion on the merits of an appeal against conviction or sentence. Our appeal solicitors always provide honest advice on the likely outcome and prospects of success.
We work with leading barristers and King’s Counsel to defend the interests of our clients throughout every stage of the hearing and appeals process.
Our solicitors understand the impact a conviction can have on individuals and families, and we are committed to helping clients pursue justice through every available legal process.
If you require advice from experienced criminal appeal solicitors, contact Wilkstone Law today. Our specialist team can advise you on the appeals process, your grounds of appeal, and the best course of action following conviction or sentence in the criminal court.
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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.