Crime: East Anglia

This two-partner criminal defence boutique recently relocated its head office to Sawbridgeworth. Market sources praise its work in high-stakes publicly funded criminal cases including murders, drug importations and money laundering. Highlights for the practice include the R v Sayid murder case in Chelmsford Crown Court.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Name partner Mary Buxton is now in her 26th year of practice as a solicitor. Following on from her representation of Kelly Inman in a trial alleging child homicide she remains a committed defender of client interests in the wider criminal arena. Gary Ryan is the practice's other name partner. He has higher rights of audience, and regularly appears in the Crown Court. He acted as junior counsel in the R v Sayid homicide case.

This Norwich firm is a long-established name for its deft handling of criminal and motoring work, particularly mid-market matters across the privately and publicly funded spectrum. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Nicholls is a solicitor advocate who serves as the firm's director. Sources say "he makes the practice," and has the skill to handle high-profile work efficiently and effectively.

The firm now operates under the aegis of Sternberg Reed, and is in effect its parent company's Romford office. Its general crime expertise covers cases including homicides and hijackings.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Partner Ben Thomas heads up the firm's serious casework department. He has built an enviable reputation as a proficient general and business crime practitioner over the past 19 years, and key work includes sexual offences and drugs matters. Philip Kelly is now in his 32nd year of practice, and he remains a valuable resource in the criminal department as a firm consultant and a higher courts advocate. His skill set sees him acting on high-level fraud as well as homicide.

The firm is headquartered in Cambridgeshire, but services clients from a total of four offices in East Anglia including Peterborough and King's Lynn. It boasts a long history of legal work dating back over 200 years, and has a hybrid high-street and commercial practice.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alison Muir is the managing partner of the King's Lynn branch as well as the firmwide head of criminal law. Sources admire her as a "high-quality and very strong lawyer."

This boutique has established itself as a sound choice for criminal work, particularly via its branch office in Norwich. Its handles a variety of cases, including prison and motoring as well as general crime.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources recognise solicitor advocate Rob New for his sound client-handling skills. His key clients include the Environment Agency.

This is one of the country's largest providers of publicly funded criminal defence. It has a vast geographical spread, but its Romford branch has built a notable profile for its work across a range of criminal matters, from fraud and regulatory to offences against the person.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Natalie Mortimer heads the Romford office's dedicated Crown Court department. She is regularly retained to defend business crime as well as homicides and blackmail.

This firm traces its roots back 251 years in the local area, and its eight offices advise on a range of legal work including high-street, family law and commercial services. It is also active in publicly funded crime and police station work, particularly from its Norwich office.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chris Brown heads up the entire firm's criminal defence practice, as well as handling regulatory crime including health and safety matters. As a higher courts advocate, he can also assist in the Crown Court.

This Peterborough firm has long been a fixture on the local scene. It assists local businesses as well as individuals and its wide criminal capabilities extend from lower-level motoring work to high-level criminal defence and prison law.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sarah Acres is a key contact.

This three-office firm is headquartered in Peterborough, and it has built a respected profile for its work on high-profile criminal defence matters that include blackmail, robbery and arson.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Higher courts advocate Andrew Cave wins client acclaim as a "dynamic individual" who skilfully navigates through difficult situations. His broad skill set enables him to assist in mental health and road traffic matters as well as serious crime.

This firm was established in the 19th century, and now services clients from five offices in the region. It offers a range of expertise across business, conveyancing and personal injury. Its key criminal defence solicitors have higher rights of audience, which allow thems to assist with Crown Court matters.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Barley of the Great Yarmouth office is the main contact.

This team is mainly made up of former BTMK practitioners, following the firm's divestment of its criminal practice. Sources are enthusiastic about the service levels on offer here, and highlights include acting for a defendant in R v Richards, an 11-handed trial concerning a series of armed robberies.

KEY INDIVIDUALS BTMK alumnus Richard Cooper is a solicitor advocate based in the Southend office and clients speak favourably of "his approach, service and professionalism."