Why we are a Unique Law Firm
& Why it makes a Difference.
We are unique because we are the only private client criminal defence firm in Scotland, exclusively specialising in finding solutions to pre-prosecution investigations and prosecuted crimes, for private high-end clients.
We are unique because we can do this at a cost that signals what we are about and the lengths we go to reach these solutions.
We are unique because we practice out of the market place. We have a market of our own:
Richard Freeman solicitor advocate and founder member of the bespoke firm explains:
“There are large private practice legal firms taking on criminal cases for their clients but these cases represent a small percentage of that firm’s overall multi-disciplinary practice, and will often be secondary or ancillary to their main focus of the firm as a whole.”
Why we do not do Legal Aid
The general market place is saturated with legal aid based firms where good lawyers are severely constrained by the need to restrict their financial resources due to the low amount of money they receive for legal aid cases. Typically they only get payments of £260 to £500 per case! This low payment is meant to cover all the preparation work, investigation, advocacy and everything else necessary to do a good job, but in the majority of cases it is simply insufficient. Sadly, despite a law firm's very honorable intentions, it often develops somewhat of a churn culture of clients in order to survive. Many of these firms are rightfully lobbying parliament to increase the legal aid payment per case, so they can do their jobs properly and focus on client cases, not overloading themselves with clients to keep their turnover up.
This 'legal aid client factory' is diametrically opposed to our firm’s ethos!
Criminal Defence Solution Ethos
We provide a transparent service of excellence which requires full use of our resources, of our time, and of the implementation of our expertise, to project manage the best strategy for our individual client’s cases.
As a firm dedicated to project each client’s case, our ethos is entirely centred round harnessing the entire resources of the firm and our expertise to achieve best outcomes for our clients facing criminal charges.
We made the decision over 10 years ago to move away from the legal aid culture churn that has now become the industry.
The Reason I set up my Law Firm and how it benefits clients
Having been the senior partner of the largest criminal legal aid firm in Scotland for over 15 years due to the legal aid cuts, I experienced just that:
A typical day would involve literally running around to different court rooms with 5 or 6 trial files under my arm, for as many clients, all calling at the same time. It was an art form in itself to keep the plates spinning while speaking to the clients, the prosecutors and the witnesses, not knowing what trial would start first. The level of experience was phenomenal but the service would have had to have been compromised. I wasn’t happy it wasn’t what I wanted to do. I had diametrically opposed views of how to service clients.
I started a niche market for private clients within that firm. I had to ring fence the private client’s from the legal aid factory. I even financed it myself. I began to enjoy my work again. I could invest more time on my private stakeholders who were totally depending on me to extricate them from criminal charges. I thrived on the challenge, and I made sure I had the resources to do it.
The reality is that I was one of the lucky ones because my firm was very large so I could delegate the legal aid work. I realised that there was a conflict between the legal aid mentality of the firm as a whole, and my ambitions to develop a private criminal practice. It was diametricalIy opposed to the direction of the firm, and it was holding me back.
I sat my solicitor advocate exams to qualify with rights of audience to personally represent clients in the High Court. The Law Society told me I was awarded the top marks which fuelled my determination to set up my own specialist firm.
Why it makes a Difference
It is a unique model that allows me and my team to provide the best service we can, paying dividends to our client stakeholders who are investing their fate in our concepts.
We welcome clients who wish to embrace everything we stand for. If you want a Scottish Law Firm with the skill, expertise and necessary resources to fight tenaciously to get you a favourable outcome, then call our national helpline 0800 567 7810 now or our local numbers. Alternatively, complete a contact form or request a call back.
The results we achieve are second to none!
RECENT NATIONAL AWARDS FOR OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
In 2016, we were nominated for 2 prestigious awards and won both awards for innovation and being outstanding in the industry. Although it was great to be recognised for our achievements, we have since politely declined other nominations as the reality is that our powerful reputation, phenomenal success rates and unique client solution speaks for itself.
