"Capital Defence Lawyers is the leading Criminal Defence firm in Edinburgh."
The Legal 500 (2010)
Specialising in all aspects of Criminal Defence and Road Traffic work, we have earned our reputation as a leading Criminal Law firm. We are ranked as a band one law firm in Chambers and Partners Uk Directory, and as a recommended law firm by the Firm magazine 2008, 2009 and 2010. All four partners in the firm are solicitor-advocates with rights of audience at the highest levels. John Scott has been voted Criminal Lawyer of the year at the Law Awards Scotland 2009 and 2010.
We are registered by the Scottish Legal Aid Board to provide legal assistance and are members of the Law Society of Scotland, The Edinburgh Bar Association, the Society of Solicitor-Advocates and the Society of Solicitors in the Supreme Courts.
If you require assistance with any Criminal charge, or Road Traffic matter, we are here to help. Contact our office for a consultation with one of our specialist team of solicitors.
Capital Defence Lawyers is a specialist Criminal Defence firm. All of our solicitors are qualified and experienced in Criminal Defence and Road Traffic cases. There are four partners in the firm, John Scott, John Keenan, Simon Collins and Cameron Tait. All four partners are solicitor-advocates with rights of audience in the High Court, Appeal Courts and Supreme Court. John Scott and John Keenan are accredited as senior solicitor-advocates.
Our team of solicitors and support staff are available to assist you in courts all over Scotland from the Justice of the Peace court to the Sheriff and High Courts.
POLICE INTERVIEWS
As a result of the recent decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Cadder v HMA, your rights have changed. If the police wish to interview you in connection with an alleged criminal or Road Traffic offence you now have the right to have advice from a qualified solicitor prior to interview. If you are contacted by the police to arrange an attendance, contact Capital Defence Lawyers and we will advise you prior to interview, and attend with you at the police station if necessary.
ON ARREST
If you find yourself detained or arrested by police officers, and about to be interviewed, you will be entitled to have a solicitor informed. Ask for Capital Defence to be advised of your detention and we will be there to assist you. We will have the opportunity to have a telephone consultation, and to attend to advise and assist you at interview if necessary.
Capital Defence Lawyers are only a phone call away!
DEALING WITH THE POLICE
Whether you have been involved in an accident, been charged with speeding, or charged with any offence under the Road Traffic Act, Capital Defence Lawyers are here to assist you. We know how important your driving licence may be to you, and our specialist team of solicitors is ready to give you the benefit of years of experience in this area of law.
We not only assist with the question of the charge and the trial, but can also help in mitigation. If you are facing a totting up ban we may be able to assist you by preparing and presenting a special reasons proof, to try to avoid the consequences of totting up.
We are registered to provide Legal Aid, and you may qualify. Call our 24 hour helpline if you wish further information.
SOLICITOR-ADVOCATE INSTRUCTIONS
To instruct one of our solicitor-advocates for a Criminal Trial please contact our office by phone email or fax specifying the date of the court case (if known).
SERVICES TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION
In addition to our private client work Capital Defence Lawyers provides a service as Edinburgh Agents for Criminal Defence Firms across the length and breadth of Scotland.
In this capacity we assist in marking, preparing and presenting Appeals and Bail Appeals, as well as providing solicitor-advocates for Appeal and Trial work.
APPEALS
With all the many time limits and forms the preparing and presenting of Criminal Appeals can be a minefield for solicitors. At Capital Defence Lawyers we offer an Edinburgh Agency service that will take away the pressure of Appeal preparation and presentation. Our team of solicitor-advocates, assisted by our knowledgeable support staff, can undertake every stage of the preparation process, including marking the appeal, interim liberation, the sifting process, written submissions and presentation as counsel.
Contact us by phone or email to take advantage of this service.
Following the introdauction of the Act of Adjournal (Criminal Procedure Rules Amendment No. 2) (Presentation of Conviction Appeals in Writing) 2010, which came into force on 1 November 2010, written submission now require to be submitted in all solemn conviction appeals. Recent weeks have seen the first procedural hearings to call under the new system, providing some guidance as to how the system will be operated. At present the submissions require to be submitted within 42 days of the grant of leave to appeal, but it is understood that that will be altered to being within 42 days of the notification of the grant of leave to appeal. The feedback from the Appeal Court is that full citations of cases and clear referrences to passages relied upon is essential, but a complete rehearsing of the text is not required within the submissions. No doubt further guidance will follow as the system beds in.
In the meantime Capital Defence Lawyers are happy to prepare, or assist in the preparation of written submissions as part of our Edinburgh Agency Service.
East Lothian Office
146 High Street
Prestonpans
East Lothian
EH32 9AD
TEL 01875 815859
FAX 01875 815859
EMAIL mail_capdef.co.uk
Edinburgh Office
34 Leith Walk
Edinburgh
EH6 5AA
TEL 0131 553 4333
FAX 0131 555 3712
