Crime & Terrorism
Our Criminal Law Team offers a full range of legal services from advice prior to charge or summons, through attendance at the Police Station to assist with interview, on to representation by our Advocates or Barristers at the Magistrates and Crown Courts, including advising on Appeal. Motoring and Public Health matters are also dealt with by this department, usually on a private client basis.
1. Free Preliminary Interview
To encourage you to seek assistance we make no charge for a preliminary assessment interview. Without the additional pressure of financial worry you can find out: how we can help you, if you are entitled to free Public Funding, and if not, how much particular options are likely to cost.
2. Free attendance at police station interviews
Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE), most of those arrested or volunteering to attend at police stations can have a legal representative with them to advise and guide them. You should use this right. It costs you nothing. All you have to do is contact us in advance or ask the police custody sergeant to contact us. We aim to arrive within half an hour of receiving such a request, day or night.
Under pressure, it is easy to say the wrong thing, particularly if you are not aware of your legal rights. We suggest you should use your right of silence until you have received legal advice. Give the police your correct name and address and then ask the policy Custody Officer to contact Tyndallwoods. The police have our contact numbers.
3. Out of Office Hours 24-hour Emergency Service
This service is mainly designed to deal with attendances at police stations. (NO routine enquiries please - even solicitors need sleep and time with their families!).
Tel: 0800 083 4472:
Between 5.00 pm and 9.00 am Monday to Friday
All day Saturday and Sunday
Bank holidays and Public holidays
4. Public Funding and Costs
For those receiving State Benefits most legal advice is free. Similarly, public funding is usually available for representation at court, following the assessment of a Representation Order application by the Court. We will help you complete the merits and means forms. Where Public Funding is not available, we can provide an estimate of our costs. We tell you how we calculate our costs. Usually, we agree instalment payments with our clients. Unexpected and unjustified bills are against our clients' interests and against our firm policy.
5. Prison Law
Advising re issues of parole; tariff setting, categorisation and other prisoners rights issues.
6. Civil Actions Against the Police
For example for damages for unlawful arrest
7. Criminal Cases Review Commission work and 2nd Opinion Advice on Appeal.
For further information please contact:
Sandy Washbrook (City Centre office) on 0121 624 1111