Crime: North West

This Manchester firm's strong profile in criminal law remains undiminished. Sources laud its continued commitment to legal aid work, as well as privately funded matters. The team is active across serious crime and its expertise extends to police station, prison law and very high cost cases (VHCC) work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Mackey is a senior figure in the practice who is recognised for his sound command of the law. His key areas include cases involving complex medical evidence and regulatory work. Sources are quick to praise Gillian Crossley as "capable of handling almost any case" and "amongst the top higher-courts advocates in the North West." She impresses with her appearances in the Crown Court, as well as the Court of Appeal. Solicitor advocate Gwyn Lewis has built a distinct profile for motoring work and heads up the firm's dedicated road traffic practice. His clients regularly include well-known personalities.

This firm has six offices, including in Manchester, but its head office in Blackburn maintains the highest profile. Market sources agree that its criminal practice has "always been heavyweight," acting in matters involving charges of murder, firearms offences and cannabis cultivation, amongst others.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Blackburn-based Paul Schofield is a solicitor advocate who sources agree has "a good solid practice with a number of heavy cases" and is a "safe pair of hands." His key clients include professional sportsmen and his marquee cases include a large drug importation prosecution.

Sources describe this team as "strong" and a "well-oiled machine." It has a well-established presence in Lancashire and its key offices include Preston and Blackburn. Clients appreciate its commitment to higher courts work via its three in-house advocates. Highlight work includes substantial missing trader intra-community fraud and allegations of police corruption.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Preston-based partner Daniel King heads up the general criminal and Crown Court practices, regularly appearing in court as an advocate.

This criminal defence boutique operates out of one office in Manchester. Interviewees agree that its excellent reputation for market-leading criminal work is well deserved. The team's expertise covers substantial fraud, as well as more general crime such as homicide and drugs cases.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Matthew Claughton is the managing partner and interviewees are quick to credit him for his developing the practice to its current position. In addition to his keen attention to detail, "he is very personable and switched-on."

Sources express considerable admiration for the immense volume of criminal work that this firm is able to undertake on a national basis. Manchester is the firm's head office and forms a key part of its highly effective practice.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Interviewees "have lots of respect" for the "really switched-on" Franklin Sinclair and his skilled development of the practice over years.

Interviewees describe this group as "a big presence in Liverpool with great, serious work in general crime." It is a multi-office criminal defence and legal aid boutique, with a number of offices throughout Merseyside, Manchester and beyond.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Stuart Nolan is a solicitor advocate who practises out of the Liverpool office. His principal area is fraud but his practice extends to general serious crime. Sources reserve special mention for his confident handling of matters in this area, commenting that "he is not afraid of taking anything on."

Since publication, Stuart Nolan has joined David Phillips & Partners

This team is an established name in the fraud and criminal field, with the depth and breadth of resources to handle police station work, prison law and higher courts advocacy. In addition to its Manchester base, it has a branch office in Sale.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Shaun Draycott is able to assist clients with advocacy via his higher rights of audience, with interviewees describing him as "impressive, committed and organised."

This firm is still a serious contender when it comes to high-quality criminal defence. Its five branches include offices in Manchester, Bolton and Sale, with murder, forgery and drug importation featuring highly on its case list.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Firm founder and managing director Allan Maidment is admired as a "consummate professional" and a "very capable and experienced" practitioner. He is also a solicitor advocate and is active in fraud, as well as serious criminal matters.

This is a compact firm based in central Liverpool. Sources respect the reputation it has built for handling criminal cases, including significant fraud and drugs work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Pearson is "a very impressive" lawyer with a high-level practice that regularly involves appearing as an advocate in the higher courts and the International Criminal Court.

This two-member legal aid criminal defence boutique serves the local market in south Manchester. Both members are solicitor advocates and the team's typical workload includes homicides and drugs work. It advised on R v K, a gangland murder.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Harrison is a key contact.

The wide office network and sheer size of this crime team assures it a high profile. Sources agree that "it is clearly well organised to handle the volume" of work that it undertakes. Its broad practice spans prison law and appellate matters, with highlights including a challenge to the law on registration of sex offenders.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael Pemberton is based at the Wigan branch. He is the lead solicitor for prison and public law matters and a broadly experienced criminal practitioner. Interviewees commend his commitment to the client's cause, saying that "he will go that extra mile."

This specialist litigation firm has a distinct profile for the criminal work it handles from its base in central Liverpool. According to sources, it is "a good firm that attracts lots of work."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Eric Williams is the senior partner.

This well-respected team's areas of expertise include homicide and drugs charges, as well as road traffic and fraud work. High-profile matters include Operation Pantin, involving prosecution by Greater Manchester authorities of large-scale people-trafficking.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Caplin is a specialist criminal defence solicitor advocate who is experienced in fraud, as well as serious crime. He wins market acclaim as "superb with his sense of judgement."

Sources speak of the "really good mix" of expertise on offer at this legal aid and VHCC firm, with a caseload that regularly covers homicide and fraud. The team has established an enviable reputation in its home city of Liverpool.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nick Melville is a solicitor advocate who is on the Serious Fraud Panel and is recognised for his "really good serious crime" practice.

This group is well known in Manchester and Stockport for its keen criminal defence in human rights and civil liberties-related cases. Market commentators are watching to see how the recent loss of Nicola Hall will affect the practice.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Adam Foster heads up the crime department.