Why Choose Olliers Solicitors?
People visit our website when they or their business are being investigated by the police or by one or more of a wide range of authorities – or after they have been charged by the police or an authority. If that is you, then you have come to the right place.
Olliers is firmly established as one of the UK’s leading criminal defence and regulatory law firms, specialising in the defence of individuals, businesses, and other organisations across a broad range of corporate and financial crime, regulatory offences, serious crime, sexual offences, motor offences, inquests and public inquires.
Each year we act for many hundreds of clients around the UK who are faced with an investigation that could lead to charges, or who have already been charged with an offence.
We know what you are going through. We can help. It’s what we do. In fact, it’s all we do.
So, why should you put your case and possibly your reputation and your livelihood and maybe even your liberty in our hands?
We could point to the esteem in which our firm is held by various professional bodies. We are ranked as a “Top Tier” defence & regulatory firm by both of the authoritative guides to the legal profession, namely the Legal 500 and the Chambers Guide. We are a Times Best Law Firm 2022. Our Managing Director Matthew Claughton is the 2023 Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Criminal Lawyer of the Year. In 2022 we were awarded Small Law Firm of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards. We were also ‘Highly Commended’ in the Boutique Law Firm category at the Modern Law Awards 2022.
In 2021, we won the award for Crime Team of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards – for the fifth time. We were also crowned Law Firm of the Year and our Managing Director, Matthew Claughton, was recognised as Law Firm Partner of the Year. In the same ceremony, fellow director Ruth Peters was recognised as Solicitor of the Year 2021.
That external recognition aside, here are the main reasons that we ourselves invite you to call us:
1. The sheer depth of our expertise
We have been a leading firm in this sector for decades. We have over 20 criminal lawyers. All are defence specialists. More than that though, each has a sub-specialism within criminal defence work. This means we can match every client with the best lawyer for their case. We are here to get you the result you want – and our results speak for themselves.
2. Our proactive approach
We’re lethal in court – but our aim is to avoid court altogether. Very often our cases never get to court. We understand the stress and anxiety of someone being charged. That’s why our focus is not on going through the process and just “rolling with it” but rather is on actually avoiding charges being brought in the first place. The earlier we get involved in the case the greater the chances of getting the case dealt with pre-charge. You’ll know what we mean here as soon as you get us on your side.
3. Our personal approach
You’re not a case. You’re a person facing a very serious situation. We treat every client as an individual and when the might of the state is bearing down on someone, we’re there for you from the very first phone call. Our experts are as approachable and friendly as they are expert and experienced – they take the time to thoroughly understand each and every situation and to apply this insight to deliver a truly personal service.
4. Our Service Pledge
At Olliers, we deliver a first-class service – every lawyer, every time. It really is as simple as that. The whole Olliers team designed our Service Pledge. You’ll quickly see from it that we put ourselves in your shoes as we work in the ways you want, to get you the result you need. It’s more than just words. We work as a team to deliver on it.
5. The Olliers 24/7 Response Team
We operate a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week defence response team. The police and other investigatory bodies do not operate on a 9-5 basis and neither do we. We are always available when you need us.
6. We operate nationally
We represent individuals across England and Wales. You do not need to use a local solicitor and anyone, anywhere, literally has on their doorstep the country’s leading Criminal Defence firm – there’s no need to make do with what’s available locally to you
7. The Olliers Academy
Every member of the Olliers team undergoes initial and ongoing training and development in technical legal aspects and in doing things the Olliers “way” within the Olliers Academy. This, combined with our internal wellness and well-being programme, and our career path and the things it rewards, mean that our team is great, they stay with us, and they are getting better all the time.
Quotes from Legal 500
‘Matthew Corn is excellent in dealing with very serious career criminals facing substantial drug or murder conspiracy charges.’
‘Matthew Claughton is the “go-to” solicitor for people who are being investigated in all manner of criminal and fraud offences.’
‘Alex Preston has a keen forensic mind and is excellent at providing clear, strategic and tactical advice to clients with clarity and precision.’
‘Matthew Claughton is outstanding. Absolutely dependable and an inspirational leader to his team.’
‘This firm has a particularly able and experienced criminal defence team. Each member has particular and complementary strengths and they work together very effectively.’
‘Olliers are without question the premier crime and fraud firm in Greater Manchester.’
‘The strength and breadth of the criminal team at Olliers really stands out from other firms, and reflects their reputation as leaders in criminal work.’
‘Olliers are simply the best firm of criminal solicitors in the North West.’
Frequently Asked Questions
It is crucial to select a firm that specialises in the specific field that you require. For example, within the criminal law sector, firms will specialise in different areas. At Olliers we consider our key areas of specialism to be pre-charge representation, crime, fraud, regulatory and sexual offences. We deal with many professional clients who have no prior involvement with the criminal justice system and excel at representation during the investigative stage of proceedings.
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Location is less important. Historically location was key. A client would need to attend conferences at the office of their chosen solicitor and accordingly would generally chose to instruct a solicitor in their locality. As a result of the dramatic increase in remote working following the Covid pandemic, location is now less important as solicitors have adapted and can offer conferences on a remote basis. Therefore, it is even more important to choose the best solicitor for you than just the closest in proximity.
At Olliers, we are happy to organise case conferences via Zoom, FaceTime, telephone, Skype or other platforms.
We urge you to check a firm’s online reviews. Read what previous clients have written about their experience at the firm you are considering instructing. At Olliers we are proud of our google and other online reviews as well as the many testimonials we receive from grateful clients following the conclusion of their case. We are most proud of the feedback we receive in relation to the manner in which their case was dealt with and that they consider our solicitors empathetic, reassuring and not ‘typical stuffy lawyers’.
Its is also crucial to check they are SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) regulated solicitors. You can check for this by looking for a logo on their website. Provided via software which will make sure only regulated firms can display it, the logo shows online visitors that the firm is regulated and will provide you with a link to information on the protections this provides.
Communication is key yet continues to be a major source of frustration for clients of law firms. Questions to be considered include how quickly do they respond to an initial enquiry? Do they respond to enquires outside office hours? Do they follow up on telephone enquires with an emailed quotation and advise as to how best to proceed. Do they provide information as to the lawyer who would be dealing with your case and their expertise and experience. What methods of communication are available – can you call your solicitor directly on their mobile or will you be shielded by secretaries and support staff?
Also which solicitor is dealing with the matter? Dependant on the nature of your case you might require a more senior experienced solicitor or a junior solicitor may be more appropriate. Does your case require a niche specialism or does it require a team effort. At Olliers we have teams in areas such as pre-charge representations and indecent images offences and these cases benefit from a multi-professional team based approach.
Need a specialist criminal law firm?
If you want to find out more about how Olliers can help you please contact Matthew Claughton or Ruth Peters.
Alternatively, visit the section ‘our lawyers’ to find the specialist of your choice.
Manchester Office
London Office
Download our 24/7 emergency number to your phone now – you never know when you might need the Olliers Response Team
