When a criminal allegation is made the prosecuting authority (Police or regulatory body) will investigate the matter further. This often progresses to an arrest or attendance at a police interview under caution.

The members of Lincoln House Chambers offer a specialist pre-charge advice and representation service which can greatly enhance the prospects of securing the very best outcome available to you both in the potential for a decision not to charge at all, and in the event of futher investigation leading to charge, your legal teams input into the process to assist in a fair and balanced approach to the investigation and charging stages.

Effective pre-charge engagement will ensure that weak cases are not taken to court. For anyone facing any kind of criminal investigation, it is crucial that their legal representative is actively committed to a strategy involving early, proactive pre-charge engagement with investigators.

Members of Lincoln House Chambers are very regularly instructed to advise around pre charge strategy, and when appropriate, draft the pre charge representations to ensure their maximum impact. We have successfully represented many clients ‘pre-charge’ (prior to and after arrest) and have an outstanding success rate in concluding cases without charge, by working closely with clients in the presentation of these early representations.

Whilst this is an area that we are able to provide a direct access service we often advise that it advantagous to involve specialist criminal defence solicitors firms from the earliest stages of strateegic planning. Some solicitors are specialists in the tasks required to add significant weight to pre charge and early engagament strategies and we have a very specialist knowledge of, and superb working relationship with, the leading specialist solicitors covering these areas. We are able to advise and assist clients in relation to identifying and instructing the very best legal team for their case.

Assistance with legal team

“A set with a deserved reputation as being the elite criminal set in the North West with real quality amongst its members” Legal 500, 2024

“Lauded by instructing solicitors as having ‘many strong advocates and some real superstars’, the set offers expertise spanning the full range of criminal offences, and members regularly undertake cases of the utmost gravity including those relating to homicides, serious violence, drug offences and sexual assaults” Chambers & Partners, 2024

“Attracts nationwide instructions for serious and white-collar crime, fraud and money laundering” Chambers & Partners