Serious & Complex Crime Solicitors

At Carson Kaye, our serious crime solicitors in London are here to guide and defend you. We truly understand the fear and uncertainty that accompany serious allegations and can provide expert, tailored support to individuals, families, and professionals alike. Our criminal law firm has a proven record of securing positive results in some of the most challenging cases nationwide.

Whether you are an individual facing trial, a professional under investigation for financial crime, a family member seeking help for a loved one, or someone seeking to appeal a conviction, we bring clarity and expertise to every stage of the process.

Our serious and complex crime solicitors in London can assist with the following matters:

• Crown Court Representation and Trial Advocacy
• White Collar and Financial Crime Defence
• Violent Crime and Homicide Defence
• Drug Trafficking and Organised Crime Cases
• Sexual Offences and Historic Allegations
• Fraud and Money Laundering Defence
• Terrorism and National Security Cases
• Criminal Appeals and Post-Conviction Matters
• Police Station Representation and Early Intervention
• Asset Forfeiture and POCA Proceedings
• International Criminal Law and Extradition

Contact our Serious & Complex Crime Solicitors

If you or a loved one needs serious criminal charges legal representation, it’s important to act now. Contact our specialist serious crime solicitors in London today by calling 020 8075 4147 or emailing info@carsonkaye.co.uk. A member of our team will respond promptly and in confidence.

Why Choose Our London Criminal Defence Team?

Choosing a solicitor is one of the most important decisions you will ever make if accused of a serious offence. At Carson Kaye, our clients turn to us because we combine technical excellence with compassion and discretion, with an excellent record of positive results.

When you instruct us, you benefit from decades of experience handling serious and complex criminal litigation across London and beyond. Our team are also recognised in The Legal 500 for our expertise in complex and high-profile defence work. Our excellent links with London Crown Courts and a comprehensive understanding of strategy means we are well-placed to fight your corner regardless of the circumstances.

We understand that reassurance is just as important as legal strategy. That’s why our serious crime solicitors in London communicate clearly, explain every stage of the process, and keep you informed throughout, so you always feel in control of the outcome.

For professionals, we act with discretion, ensuring the protection of their reputations and livelihoods. For individuals under investigation or at trial, we can provide strong representation that challenges every aspect of the prosecution’s case.

What Constitutes Serious and Complex Criminal Offences?

Serious and complex crimes may carry severe sentences, involve significant evidential issues, or attract high public interest. They are often prosecuted by specialist units and investigated with extensive resources, including surveillance, financial analysis, and international cooperation.

Typical examples of a serious or complex criminal offence include:

• Homicide cases (murder or manslaughter).
• Drug trafficking and organised crime conspiracies.
• Large-scale fraud and financial crime.
• Terrorism and national security offences.
• Sexual offences and historic allegations.
• International extradition and cross-border prosecutions.

For families, the label “serious and complex” can be frightening. It often means investigations are lengthy and disruptive, with bail restrictions or asset freezes affecting daily life. For individuals and professionals, it means your case will not be handled like routine matters: it demands specialist defence, which our exceptional team can provide.

At Carson Kaye, our prosecutions solicitors can break down complex proceedings into clear steps, ensuring you understand what to expect, how long it may take, and what strategies are available.

Our Serious & Complex Crime Services

Crown Court Representation and Trial Advocacy

Most serious criminal cases proceed to the Crown Court, where the stakes are highest. Trials involve judges, juries, extensive evidence, and adversarial advocacy. The Crown Court process can feel daunting and overwhelming for both individuals and families, given the intense and complex nature of the process.

As a leading criminal law firm in London, we provide full representation for defendants in London Crown Courts and beyond, ensuring that:

• Evidence is challenged line by line.
• Juries understand your case through persuasive advocacy.
• Procedural fairness is upheld at all times.
• Weaknesses in the prosecution’s case are exposed.

Our solicitors are experienced in preparing cases with thousands of pages of evidence, including digital data, forensic reports, and financial records. Working with leading barristers and King’s Counsel, we provide clear, powerful advocacy grounded in a substantial understanding of Crown Court practice.

Our role is not just legal but also supportive for clients and families. We’ll guide you through what to expect each day in court, explain jury processes, and ensure you feel fully prepared.

White Collar and Financial Crime Defence

Business professionals accused of financial or white-collar crime face not only the risk of imprisonment but also irreparable harm to careers, reputations, and livelihoods. Allegations may involve:

• Corporate fraud.
• Insider trading.
• Bribery and corruption.
• Tax evasion and VAT carousel fraud.
• Money laundering.

These cases often attract media attention and regulatory scrutiny. Our complex crime solicitors act efficiently, protecting both your liberty and your professional standing. We work with forensic accountants, auditors, and compliance experts to challenge assumptions and provide lawful explanations for financial transactions with the utmost discretion.

For business professionals, we understand the need to keep matters private, to act swiftly to manage reputational risk, and to provide reassurance to families and colleagues.

Violent Crime and Homicide Defence

Violent crime allegations carry the heaviest penalties in law, with sentences that can extend to life imprisonment. For defendants and their families, the fear of such consequences is, naturally, immense. We represent clients accused of:

• Murder and manslaughter.
• Attempted murder.
• Armed robbery.
• Serious assaults involving weapons.

We cross-examine witnesses rigorously, often exposing contradictions that undermine the prosecution and giving you the best chance of achieving the outcome you deserve.  For families, we provide clear guidance on the trial process and ongoing support, recognising the emotional toll such cases bring.

Drug Trafficking and Organised Crime Cases

Our criminal solicitors are widely recognised for defending major drug trafficking and organised crime allegations. These cases often involve surveillance, encrypted devices, and conspiracy charges spanning multiple defendants.

We act for individuals accused of both leading and secondary roles in alleged criminal enterprises, focusing on challenging surveillance evidence and phone data, testing the reliability of prosecution witnesses and exposing flaws in conspiracy allegations.

We know these cases place huge pressure on defendants and their families, who may face stigma, financial strain, and emotional upheaval. We work closely with clients and relatives to ensure support is available at every stage.

Sexual Offences and Historic Allegations

Sexual offence allegations can cause immediate reputational damage, even before trial. Our criminal solicitors in London provide discreet, robust defence for clients accused of:

• Rape and sexual assault.
• Offences involving children.
• Historic allegations dating back decades.
• Possession of indecent images.

Such allegations can feel isolating and overwhelming for individuals, and they can be devastating for families. We approach these cases with sensitivity while providing strong legal defence, examining the credibility of testimony, forensic evidence, and investigative procedures, to ensure you reach the outcome you deserve.

Fraud and Money Laundering Defence

Due to their scale and international scope, fraud and money laundering cases can be categorised as both serious and complex. We represent clients accused of the following:

• Mortgage fraud.
• Conspiracy to defraud.
• International laundering operations.
• Tax fraud.

For professionals, these cases often mean frozen accounts, asset restraint orders, and regulatory fallout. Our fraud and financial crime solicitors challenge these accusations, protecting both financial security and commercial standing with a view to preserve your professional reputation.

Furthermore, our internal investigation solicitors can protect your rights if you’re faced with an allegation of regulatory breaches or misconduct within your company.

Terrorism and National Security Cases

Terrorism and national security prosecutions are among the most sensitive in criminal law. For defendants and families, these cases carry the risk of long sentences and severe reputational and community consequences, so it’s crucial to address this at the appropriate moment. Our experts can represent clients accused of:

• Possession of terrorist materials.
• Association with proscribed organisations.
• Planning or assisting in terrorist activity.

These cases often involve intelligence material, secret evidence, and disclosure disputes. Our criminal solicitors in London fight to ensure fairness and protect the rights of defendants, regardless of the seriousness of the allegations.

Criminal Appeals and Post-Conviction Matters

For clients convicted of serious crimes, appeals offer hope and a chance to secure your desired outcome. We act in appeals against conviction and sentence, working to identify errors and secure fair outcomes. Grounds for a successful appeal may include:

• Fresh evidence not heard at trial.
• Judicial misdirection.
• Procedural unfairness.

Our criminal appeals and judicial reviews solicitors can also assist with Criminal Cases Review Commission applications. For families, appeals are an opportunity to correct miscarriages of justice and to fight for loved ones. For individuals, they represent a crucial second chance that shouldn’t be overlooked.

Police Station Representation and Early Intervention

The earliest stage of a case is often the most decisive. At the police station, statements can shape the entire trajectory of proceedings. Our pre-charge advice team attend police interviews day and night to provide urgent advice and representation.

For those under investigation, early intervention can prevent charges altogether. For families, knowing that a solicitor is present during interviews provides reassurance that rights are protected from the outset.

Asset Forfeiture and POCA Proceedings

Alongside prosecutions, the authorities will often pursue asset recovery under the Proceeds of Crime Act. This can mean frozen bank accounts, confiscation orders, or civil recovery actions.

Whilst this may seem intimidating, rest assured that our cash seizure solicitors can act swiftly to protect legitimate assets, challenge restraint orders, and contest confiscation proceedings. For business professionals and families, this can be critical to maintaining financial stability during lengthy trials.

International Criminal Law and Extradition

Serious and complex cases increasingly involve international dimensions. We represent clients facing extradition requests and cross-border investigations.

Our extradition solicitors defend against extradition on human rights grounds, challenge the admissibility of overseas evidence, and coordinate defence strategies across multiple jurisdictions. For families, these cases can be particularly disruptive, and we ensure support is provided throughout the process.

FAQs about Serious & Complex Crime

What makes a criminal case "serious and complex"?

Serious and complex cases are those involving high penalties, extensive evidence, and specialist prosecutors. Murder, fraud, terrorism, and organised crime are common examples. They often involve surveillance, digital records, and financial documents.

For families, this means long investigations and uncertainty; for professionals, it can mean reputational damage even before trial. Our expert solicitors are here to ensure that this damage is mitigated as much as possible.

What happens during a Crown Court trial?

Crown Court trials involve a judge and jury, witness evidence, and expert testimony. Trials may last weeks or months. For individuals, this means daily court attendance and intense scrutiny. For families, it means emotional strain and the need for clear updates.

Our solicitors ensure that cases are meticulously prepared, arguments persuasive, and juries fully engaged, mitigating stress as much as possible.

How long do serious criminal cases typically take?

Investigations can run for months or years. Once charged, complex cases often take over a year to reach trial, with appeals adding further time. This means individuals and families live under constant pressure. Our solicitors provide realistic timelines, clear updates, and support throughout, ensuring you are never left in the dark.

What should I do if I'm arrested for a serious crime?

Remain calm, request legal representation, and avoid answering questions without a solicitor present. For individuals, this protects against self-incrimination. For families, contacting a solicitor immediately ensures rights are protected from the outset. Note that early intervention is critical to shaping the case in your favour.

Can family members seek advice on behalf of a defendant?

Yes. Families often instruct solicitors initially. While the defendant must give instructions directly, relatives play an important role in supporting the case, gathering documents, and maintaining contact with lawyers. At Carson Kaye, we keep families informed throughout, offering reassurance alongside legal expertise.

Can convictions for serious crimes be overturned?

Yes. Convictions can be appealed where there are legal errors, new evidence, or unfair procedures. For clients, this means a chance to correct injustice, while for families, it offers hope after conviction. Appeals require expert representation, and our solicitors have significant experience in appellate work.

Contact our Serious & Complex Crime Solicitors

If you or a loved one needs serious criminal charges legal representation, it’s crucial to act now. Contact our specialist serious crime solicitors in London today by calling 020 8075 4147 or emailing info@carsonkaye.co.uk. A member of our team will respond promptly and in confidence.