Crime: North East & Yorkshire

This large criminal defence practice "dominates the Sheffield market," according to sources. Its strong in-house advocacy team makes it a frequent sight in the higher courts and it has advised on a broad range of work over the past year, including homicide and drugs work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Solicitor advocate Danny Simpson heads up the team. He is a well-established name and sources admire the sizeable practice that he has built up. His caseload frequently includes high-profile murders. Chris Davey attracts attention for her work on early-stage litigation and preparing briefs on serious crime.

This Leeds-based outfit arose out of Harrogate firm McCormicks. It has developed an enviable practice across serious crime and fraud. Sources speak favourably of "the quality of its instructions" and its solicitors, who provide "great detail." Highlight work includes homicide, drugs and kidnapping cases.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robert Rode is a firm director and heads the criminal practice. He is also a solicitor advocate and sources agree that he "fights his corner for clients robustly." Keith Allen is a younger member of the practice who has already become a senior advocate with the firm. One source praises him as "one of the most creative lawyers I've come across."

This is one of the most well-known names in the Newcastle upon Tyne criminal defence market for publicly funded work. Its four full-time solicitors act on a range of work, from homicide to road traffic matters. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Team leader Brian Hegarty is a higher courts advocate, with enthusiastic sources describing him as a "diligent and thorough practitioner who runs the practice very well." He recently appeared in the Court of Appeal for a 13-year-old boy charged with murder.

This group operates out of five offices in Leeds and one in Harrogate. Private client work is a main area of strength and sources agree that it attracts "lots of publicity" for the high-quality work it undertakes.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Grahame Stowe serves as senior partner, with overall responsibility for the criminal and mental health practices. Although a solicitor advocate with rights in the higher courts, he is noted more for his regular appearances in Magistrates' Courts.

This one-office firm is located in central Leeds. It has the resources to deal with family law and clinical negligence, as well as criminal defence, for which it has significant expertise. Sources laud it as "well prepared and very committed to cases." Highlights for the practice include R v Price, concerning a conspiracy to import cannabis.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Philip Goldberg has higher rights of audience and sources "happily recommend" him. He acted in R v Price. The vastly experienced Rodney Lester serves as senior partner. Sources agree that he is "a pleasure" to deal with on account of his high professional standards. Lindsey Lobley is a younger partner who wins recognition for the quality of her preparation. As a higher courts advocate, she can also assist clients with their Crown Court advocacy requirements. Peter Byrne recently joined the team from Switalskis Solicitors. He is an associate and solicitor advocate and he already attracts recognition for his profile in advocacy.

This single-office, three-partner firm is located in Harrogate. It has a large commercial practice, as well as a criminal defence department. The team's significant work includes advising a high-profile footballer arrested for rape. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Solicitor advocate Geoffrey Rogers heads up the criminal department. Sources praise his diligence and agree that he has an enviable client base. 

This Leeds litigation boutique has a very high cost cases contract, with fraud making up a significant component of its practice, although it also has a strong emphasis on serious crime, legal aid and duty solicitor work. Sources enjoy a good relationship with this "good firm," which houses "hard-working" practitioners.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Spanish speaker Sean Smith is a solicitor advocate and the principal name in the practice. Sources speak highly of both his legal and his client-handling skills.

This high street firm's profile in Yorkshire emanates principally from its central Wakefield head office. It is heavily involved in legal aid work, including high-profile homicides. It recently acted for a client arrested in connection with a drugs-related murder.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rob Casey heads up the group from Wakefield. Sources laud him as "professional and thorough; he knows what he is doing." He has higher rights of audience.

This Newcastle upon Tyne firm also has a branch office in Wallsend. It is recognised for its strength in the commercial sector, as well as private client and criminal defence work. One source considers the firm "one of the strongest" in this geographical area. Highlight work includes defence of murder, child cruelty and road traffic charges.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mark Harrison is the principal contact for this type of work.

Sources cite this firm for its "strong presence in North Yorkshire." Although well known for fraud, it also offers a prison law practice and is visible in serious crime, including homicide cases. Highlights include acting for three foreign nationals accused of a drugs-related murder and perverting the course of justice.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Solicitor advocate Kevin Blount wins acclaim as a switched-on lawyer with "strong attention to detail." He is also recognised for his proceeds-of-crime work. Name partner Colin Byrne is lauded as "a real fighter" in defending client interest. He is also permitted to act in the Crown Court via his higher rights of audience.

This is a long-standing firm based in Bradford. Criminal law is a key practice area and sources speak of its "solid service" in matters including murders.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Milner is a partner who may be contacted for enquiries.

This is a compact yet well-established three-partner firm based in central Leeds. It assists clients in family and personal injury matters, as well as criminal law. It has a legal aid contract and performs duty solicitor work.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Anthony Sugaré is the senior partner and main contact.

Interviewees recognise this Hull-based team as a group of high-quality practitioners. The group is visible in fraud, as well as serious crime, and recently acted in a multi-handed, multimillion-pound fraud.

KEY INDIVIDUALS William Waddington is a firm director and criminal team head with higher rights of audience. Sources recommend him for his adroit skills in this area.