Crime
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7702 5331About
Provided by Hickman & Rose
The Serious and General Crime team represents individuals and organisations facing the prospect of investigation and trial for the most serious and impactful criminal allegations.
Team members are all highly experienced defence solicitors who share a wide range of specialist skills.
We represent individuals accused of the most serious crimes, including murder, and organisations accused of crimes such as corporate manslaughter. Lawyers are experienced in unravelling the complex forensic and medical issues that often lie at the heart of these cases.
The team, which advises clients throughout the criminal investigation process from police station to court, has established a formidable reputation for the pursuit of disclosure and for its ability to conclude cases before charge. It leads the way in challenging the viability of fair trials where clients face historic allegations of sexual abuse.
The department specialises in tackling professionally damaging allegations made against clients with a public profile and their families. It has achieved great successes avoiding reputational damage by persuading police to conduct investigations in a manner which avoids the need to arrest and minimises the risk of matters coming into the public domain.
The team undertakes a small number of high-profile publicly funded cases and has a track record of acting for those who have suffered a miscarriage of justice.
Chambers Review
Hickman & Rose has a highly acclaimed criminal defence practice with a strong bench of expert lawyers. The team offers impressive strength in acting for high-profile individuals across a range of challenging cases, including murder and sexual abuse charges. It also undertakes a number of miscarriage of justice cases on a pro bono basis. The team is experienced at acting for foreign nationals accused of crimes in the UK.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The team at Hickman & Rose is very professional, responsive and compassionate. They provide clear advice and always a collaborative approach."
"Hickman & Rose is an absolute powerhouse and the quality is unbelievable. The lawyers there are an absolute privilege to work with."
"The lawyers are clearly experts and immediately on top of legal issues, but more than that they have excellent judgement handling situations at the police station and wider dealings with the police."
"The team at Hickman & Rose is very professional, responsive and compassionate. They provide clear advice and always a collaborative approach."
"Hickman & Rose is an absolute powerhouse and the quality is unbelievable. The lawyers there are an absolute privilege to work with."
"The lawyers are clearly experts and immediately on top of legal issues, but more than that they have excellent judgement handling situations at the police station and wider dealings with the police."
Notable Practitioners
Jenny Wiltshire is head of the general and serious crime department at Hickman & Rose. She is widely renowned as an exceptional criminal defence lawyer, particularly with regard to serious sexual offences and alleged child cruelty.
"Jenny is simply the best. She thinks, then she thinks again and then she gets it right."
"I regard her as absolutely first class. Her commitment, experience and sheer tactical acumen put her at the very top of the list of criminal solicitors."
"Jenny Wiltshire is the safest and yet most innovative pair of hands in this space."
"Jenny is an absolute criminal law genius and her memory for detail and client care are incomparable."
Ben Rose has considerable expertise in criminal law matters including serious sexual offences. He is particularly adept at advising high-profile and high net worth individuals under police investigation where there is the potential for huge reputational impact.
"Ben Rose is outstanding."
Peter Csemiczky has a broad criminal practice that includes advising clients on serious charges relating to sexual and violent crimes, harassment and driving offences. He advises a varied client base that includes high net worth individuals and professionals across a wide range of industries.
"Peter Csemiczky is a real heavyweight in criminal law. He spots the critical detail, his advice is very brave and his ability to go straight to the heart of a matter is fantastic."
"Peter is amazing, a real work dynamo and has a long background as a criminal solicitor. He is really superb with clients and invaluable at building those relationships."
"Peter is an outstanding criminal solicitor. He, of course, has excellent legal knowledge but more than that, he provides clear advice and knows the best way to navigate the police and court system."
Bartholomew Dalton is an associate who advises clients from the investigation stage through to criminal trials and appeals. He can assist with a variety of charges including serious assault and sexual offences.
"Bartholomew Dalton is a legal encyclopaedia, he has the best knowledge of any solicitor I know and the law just sticks in his mind."
"Bartholomew is absolutely excellent. He is really good strategically and legally, and his client care is excellent."
"Bartholomew is very able, with a clear knowledge of the law and a calm manner."
"We are incredibly thankful for his compassionate support and professional advice during a very stressful time."
Ranked Lawyers at
Hickman & Rose
London (Firms)
Members
Provided by Hickman & Rose
Aileen Colhoun
Head of Department
Rose Commander