The criminal trial process is one that depends on human endeavour and judgement. Inevitably, mistakes are made. To be convicted of a crime you did not commit is a devastating experience, both for you and your family. Overturning that conviction is not easy.
Very few firms of solicitors have the experience and expertise to take you through the Appeal process or, if an appeal has already been unsuccessful, an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
Stephensons have a specialist team that has a national reputation for investigating suspect convictions, having cases referred to the Court of Appeal and for having convictions for serious offences overturned.
Areas of specialism
We will obtain your papers and investigate your conviction. We will identify and interview any relevant witnesses and we will, as appropriate, instruct leading experts. We have established an effective professional relationship with leading expert witnesses, not just in the U.K. but internationally .We will also instruct the most experienced and able counsel and have strong links with many of the leading Barrister's chambers in the UK.
If you have already been unsuccessful in the Court of Appeal we will prepare an application to the CCRC arguing that your case should be referred by them back to the Court of Appeal .We are one of the most successful practices in the country at getting cases referred back to the Court of Appeal.
Court of Appeal - Case of note
- R V BOYLE AND FORD (2006) EWCA 2101 (adverse inference and the right to silence).
R V ADETORO (2006) EWCA CRIM 1716 (adverse inference and the right to silence).
R V JONES, TOMLINSON, WARREN AND ORS 59 CR, APP.R 120 (regarding defective indictment)
R V STEFAN KISZKO 18 FEBRUARY 1992 (murder conviction quashed)
R V KEVIN CALLAN APRIL 1994 (murder conviction quashed)
R V GILFOYLE (1) 1996 3 ALL ER 883 (powers of court to receive fresh evidence)
R V GILFOYLE (2) 2001 CRIM LR 312 (CCRC reference regarding murder conviction)
R V SUSAN MAY LTL 7/12/2001 (CCRC reference regarding murder conviction)
R V IAN THOMAS 220 CRIM LR 912 (regarding powers of CCRC to refer cases back to the Court of Appeal)
R V MURPHY AND BRENNAN DEC'D LTL 25/01/2002 (CCRC reference regarding murder conviction)
R V ANTHONY STEEL LTL 12/06/2003 (CCRC reference regrding murder conviction)
R V HARRIS & OTHERS [2005] EWCA 1980 (The shaken baby case)
R V HOLDSWORTH [2008] EWCA CRIM 971 01/05/08
