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Our devotion to clients and tenacious hard work has gained us recognition as a The Times Best Law Firm 2026 and Leading Firm in both legal directories the Legal500 and Chambers and Partners.
As a victim of crime, you may find that you do not want to go to the police initially when reporting a crime.
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It is acknowledged that the police are stretched thin and therefore have limited resources. An experienced defence lawyer can be invaluable in helping a victim navigate the process. They are uniquely positioned to be able to explain the steps from reporting the crime all the way to giving evidence at court, should the case get that far. Additionally, a defence lawyer will be aware of what likely challenges will be mounted to a prosecution witness statement and can help to address those points fully.
How a Defence Lawyer Can Support a Victim of a Crime
Identifying the Crimes Committed
Whilst a victim may understand the initial crime that has been committed against them, there are many cases where they don't know the full breadth of offences that may have taken place. A defence lawyer can work with the victim to identify all the offences committed and therefore details needed for to prepare the victim’s witness statement that can then be provided to the police.
Creating an In-Depth Witness Statement
​A victim's witness statement is the foundation upon which the whole case will be built. When overstretched and under resourced, the police may not be able to dedicate as much time as may be required to obtaining full information from the victim including background information and full details of the incident or series of events. A defence lawyer can help you identify all the important information to include in a witness statement. This will all be collated in a clear, comprehensive and concise manner to present a thorough case to the police on the offence(s) that have been committed so they can proceed with the investigation.
Identifying Issues the Apposing Defence Team May Exploit
​Defence solicitors are uniquely positioned to identify issues and gaps within a potential witness statement that may be exploited or challenged during the legal process. By identifying these early on, a defence lawyer can help victims navigate and mitigate the issues. This overall helps improve the likelihood of the other party being charged.
Navigating the Legal Process
​When reporting a crime, it can set off a lengthy in-depth legal process that can be difficult to navigate. A defence lawyer can help at each stage of the legal process, assisting with their inside knowledge of the step by step process and also assessing what steps the other party’s legal team may taken.
Ways We Have Supported Victims of Crime
£1million Fraud
Rape
Assault
Frequently Asked Questions by Victims of Crime
Do I need a defence solicitor when reporting a crime?
No. It is not essential to have defence solicitor when reporting an offence, however having one to assist you in navigating the full process can prove useful providing clear guidance and may lead to an improved chance of the case being investigated by the police
Does a victim of a crime have a lawyer?
​No. The victim of crime usually does not have their own lawyer in a criminal trial. This is because criminal cases are brought on behalf of the State.
Should I make the report directly with the police?
Yes you certainly can. Though you should consider how complex your matter is and whether the police will be able to dedicate the time and resources to gathering the evidence.
Is this the same as a private prosecution?
​No. We assist with gathering all of the material together to enable you to then make the report to the police and remain on hand to assist you through that process.
What is the difference between how a defence lawyer and public prosecutor?
A defence lawyer represents the person accused of a crime, working to protect their rights, challenge the prosecution’s evidence, with the aim of preventing a case being charged, securing an acquittal or a reduced sentence.
A prosecutor, on the other hand, is a lawyer from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or other prosecuting authority who represents the State, deciding whether charges should be brought and presenting the case in court.
What information do you need from me?
Short answer – as much as possible. Longer answer – the more information you can provide to us the clearer the advice we can provide about the offence(s) committed.
Are you investigators?
​No, we are traditionally defence lawyers but we can assess the information provided to us, probe and ask questions to fully understand what has taken place and identify what material will be needed to support a prosecution.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Legal500
Namita Pawa is a solicitor at the top of her game. She provides an exceptional level of dedication to each and every client.
Chambers and Partners
Hallinans punch very much above its weight. They are in some of the most serious criminal cases and have a stellar reputation.
Recent Client
A world class legal firm who leave no stone unturned.