Crime
UK Guide 2025 : North West
Band 1
Contact number
01254 222399About
Provided by Forbes
Forbes has one of the largest criminal practices in the North West and deals with cases on a nationwide basis. Our long-established department has a history of success in dealing with all areas of criminal work; particularly serious, complex and high-profile cases, including those with an international dimension.
We are specialists in large scale conspiracies to defraud and international drug trafficking offences. We have a large team of lawyers with extensive experience of every aspect of the field, including pro-active and pre-emptive advice and assistance in pre-charge investigations.
We have significant expertise in all aspects of sexual offences cases, including internet-based, complex, institutional and historic matters and extensive experience of cases involving people trafficking, successfully defending cases involving allegations of modern-day slavery. We also have significant experience of cases involving cyber-crime.
Our clients choose us for our understanding and sympathetic approach. We are proactive and determined to offer the best chance of success. Our experts can deal with cases from arrest at the police station through the court system and offer a professional and comprehensive criminal defence service.
Chambers Review
Forbes is a leading criminal law practice in Manchester and Lancashire that offers expertise across a broad range of cases. The team is well placed to act in serious crime matters including murder, gang-related violence, drug and sexual offences, and terrorism. It also has knowledge of corruption issues and money laundering related to organised crime, with the experience to handle matters involving complex international elements. The firm acts for private clients as well as offering legal aid services.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Forbes has a very efficient team."
"Forbes shows attention to detail and clients are in safe hands with them."
"Forbes has a very efficient team."
"Forbes shows attention to detail and clients are in safe hands with them."
Notable Practitioners
Craig Liversidge is the head of the Crown Court department at Forbes. He has experience dealing with all types of serious crime, and receives high praise for his handling of organised crime-related cases in particular.
"Craig Liversidge is very hard working, very practical and no-nonsense."
"Craig keeps confidences well and is extremely good with the clients. He is direct, without being brutal, and spells out the difficulties very well."
"Craig is a very smooth operator, who works very quickly and efficiently, and he is also a very sympathetic lawyer."
Craig Mackenzie is head of the firm's private client division. He is a well-regarded criminal defence solicitor who deals with complex cases, including those involving allegations of murder and terrorism.
"Craig is conscientious, hard working and has an excellent client manner."
"He has such good judgement, really gets involved with the case and fights for his client's best interests."
Ranked Lawyers at
Forbes
North West
Members
Provided by Forbes
Andrew Nottingham
Carrie Gilgun
Craig Liversidge
Craig MacKenzie
Daniel King
Head of Department
David Beal
David Scully
Duncan Nightingale
Gareth Price
Graeme Parkinson
Loretta Woollams
Mary Dickinson
Nichola McTear
Paolo Passerini
Richard Prew
Samuel Martin
Shane Parkin
Simon Gretton
Steven Dawson