The Crown Court deals with the most serious criminal cases in England and Wales. If your case has reached the Crown Court, you may be facing a jury trial or sentence for an offence carrying significant penalties. Crown Court proceedings are more formal than those in the Magistrates’ Court and require careful preparation from the earliest stage to give you the strongest possible defence.
In contested cases, the process begins with the Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing, where the court sets directions and a timetable for trial. A Defence Case Statement must then be served, setting out the nature of the defence and the issues in dispute. It is also crucial to stay on top of the prosecution’s disclosure, identifying where further material should be requested and, where necessary, making applications to compel the CPS to disclose material that may undermine its case or assist the defence. If you have pleaded guilty, the focus shifts to preparing the strongest possible mitigation and supporting evidence to achieve the most favourable sentence.
Reeds Solicitors is recognised as a Top Tier criminal defence firm by the Legal 500 and ranked Band 1 by Chambers & Partners. Our Crown Court solicitors have extensive experience representing clients charged with the most serious criminal offences. We work closely with carefully selected advocates, including our in-house barristers, specialist independent counsel and King’s Counsel, to ensure every client is represented by the advocate best suited to the complexity and circumstances of their case.
If you are due to appear before the Crown Court, call us on 0333 240 7373, email [email protected] or send us a confidential enquiry online.
Preparing a Crown Court Defence
The Plea and Trial Preparation Hearing (PTPH) is usually the first hearing in the Crown Court. If your case is contested, the court will identify the issues in dispute and set a timetable to ensure the case is ready for trial. This hearing is an important opportunity for your legal team to raise case management issues and ensure the defence is properly prepared from the outset.
The court will set deadlines for serving the Defence Case Statement, dealing with disclosure, obtaining expert evidence and resolving any legal or evidential issues before trial. Decisions made at this stage can have a significant impact on the progress of your case, making careful preparation before the hearing essential.
A Defence Case Statement is one of the most important documents prepared in a contested Crown Court case. It sets out the nature of the defence, identifies the issues in dispute and can influence the prosecution’s ongoing duty to disclose material that may undermine its case or assist the defence.
The level of detail included within a Defence Case Statement is an important strategic decision. In some cases, it is sensible to keep the document concise to avoid unnecessarily committing the defence to a detailed account at an early stage. In others, a more detailed statement may strengthen subsequent disclosure requests. This is a tactical judgment that should be made by trial counsel in collaboration with your defence solicitor.
Careful analysis of the prosecution evidence and unused material can identify further lines of enquiry or documents that have not yet been disclosed. Where necessary, we will make detailed disclosure requests and, if required, apply to the court to compel the CPS to disclose material that is relevant to your defence.
Once the timetable has been set and the case progresses, the focus turns to preparing your defence for trial. This may involve taking detailed witness statements, obtaining expert evidence, reviewing CCTV, telephone or digital material, planning the cross-examination of prosecution witnesses and identifying any legal arguments that should be raised before the jury is sworn.
Preparation is about building your own case, testing the reliability of the prosecution evidence and ensuring that every realistic line of defence has been explored. Conferences between your solicitor and trial advocate play an important role in refining the defence strategy and ensuring your case is presented clearly and persuasively before the jury.
If you plead guilty or are convicted after trial, the focus shifts to achieving the most favourable sentence available in the circumstances. Careful preparation can make a significant difference to the outcome. This may include obtaining character references, medical or psychological reports, evidence of rehabilitation and other material that supports your mitigation.
Where the court requests a Pre-Sentence Report, we can also prepare you for your interview with the Probation Service. The questions you are asked, and the way you respond, can influence the assessment of your remorse, insight into the offence and suitability for rehabilitation. Ensuring the probation officer has a clear and accurate understanding of your circumstances can be an important part of securing a favourable report.
Our Crown Court solicitors work closely with your advocate to prepare persuasive mitigation and ensure the judge has a complete understanding of your personal circumstances and the wider context of the offence. We will also advise you on the applicable Sentencing Guidelines, the likely sentencing range and the credit available for an early guilty plea.
Every case is different, and the right advocate will depend on factors such as the complexity of the legal issues, the seriousness of the allegations, the volume of evidence, your budget and the style of advocacy best suited to your case.
At Reeds Solicitors, we will discuss the available options with you and recommend the advocate we believe is best suited to your case. Depending on the circumstances, this may be Partner Lucy Tapper or another one of our in-house barristers, a specialist independent barrister or, in the most serious or complex cases, King’s Counsel. We will explain the likely costs and benefits of each option, enabling you to make an informed decision. Throughout your case, your solicitor will work closely with your chosen advocate to prepare your defence, advise on strategy and ensure continuity of representation.
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