Crime: Legal Aid Specialists
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Spotlight
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
0330 822 3420About
Provided by Hodge Jones & Allen
Who we are:
At Hodge Jones & Allen, you will be represented by award winning solicitors and leading practioners in their field. With specialist knowledge in niche fields, each solicitor acts decisively and proactively to defend your interests. We fight for our clients and at all times and we are empathetic and accessible..
Our areas of expertise:
- Serious Violence and Drug Offences
- Fraud and Financial Crime
- Confiscation, asset seizure and restraint.
- Regulatory and disciplinary matters
- Extradition
- Sexual Offences
- Protest and Human Rights
- Driving matters
- Terrorism
- Private clients / High Net worth individuals
- Court Martials
- Reputation Management
- Private client
- Appeals
Hodge Jones & Allen has successfully provided a criminal practice since 1977. Our combined experience covers decades working in the criminal courts to help people. Our team of solicitors has acted in many high profile and ground breaking cases, which include:
R v M
One of series of rape cases that collapsed due to disclosure failings
R v C
Murder of headmaster Phillip Lawrence by young gang
R v S (G)
This case extended the ambit of the Obscene Publications Act to cover communication between two individuals in an internet ‘chat-room’
R v LR
We acted in a number of cases from the London riots.
R v H
Series of cases regarding protests at airports
R v T
High Profile celebrity acquitted after trial
Chambers Review
Hodge Jones & Allen is a well-respected criminal defence practice that is noted for its specialist handling of cases involving high-profile political protests and public order offences. The firm's expertise covers all areas of serious crime, including child sexual offences, drugs conspiracy and murder charges. The firm has a general legal aid practice and regularly acts for vulnerable defendants, including those with mental health issues and neurodivergence. The team also benefits from the firm's complementary strengths in extradition law and human rights matters.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Every person I work with at HJA is 100% committed to their client and to delivering an excellent service."
"The team's key strength is their people skills, the staff are very human and at all times treated me as their client with the utmost civility and respect."
"Whatever time of day or night that we have needed to make contact, we are always able to speak to a supportive member of staff."
"Every person I work with at HJA is 100% committed to their client and to delivering an excellent service."
"The team's key strength is their people skills, the staff are very human and at all times treated me as their client with the utmost civility and respect."
"Whatever time of day or night that we have needed to make contact, we are always able to speak to a supportive member of staff."
Notable Practitioners
Raj Chada is a criminal defence lawyer who specialises in the representation of individuals arrested in the course of political protest. He is also head of criminal defence at Hodge Jones & Allen.
"Raj makes fantastic judgement calls and keeps the client happy."
"Raj Chada is brilliant, very hard-working and a very able advocate too."
"Raj is an innovative lawyer and one of the top criminal protest practitioners."
Caroline Liggins leads the youth team at Hodge Jones & Allen. She is an experienced trial advocate in the Youth Court and regularly defends young clients charged with crimes including sexual offences, murder and drugs and firearm possession.
"I cannot praise Caroline's strengths enough. Her service is exceptionally high and she is so committed to her cases."
"The support Caroline has shown us has been exceptional - just knowing she was always contactable made a huge difference in a very difficult situation."
"She's very good at the law and is one of those solicitors where everything is completely collaborative."
Mike Schwarz focuses his practice on cases relating to undercover policing and political protest, bringing to bear his additional expertise in civil liberties and human rights.
"Mike has such a calm, knowledgeable approach to cases and to issues that inspires confidence in clients."
Ranked Lawyers at
Hodge Jones & Allen
London (Firms)