Specialists in…
CRIMINAL LAW

If you’d like to know more about our services please use the contact form below.
MORRISON SPOWART
Our Criminal Defence Department is well respected and has a strong, experienced team with extensive legal knowledge. Our reputation is built on working extremely hard for our clients by ensuring that every possible challenge is made to the prosecution case and building a solid defence. We regularly receive referrals from charitable and other non-profit organisations, as well as other professionals. We operate a 24 hour service for people who have been arrested.
We have represented clients accused of a wide range of offences, including;
- Murder
- Manslaughter
- Armed robbery and street robbery
- Fraud; including all types of benefit fraud
- Rape and other sexual offences including historic allegations
- Large scale drug cases, including importation, conspiracy to supply, supply, whether social or commercial and the cultivation and production of classified drugs
- Assaults of all levels; from GBH to common assault including domestic violence
- Theft – from organized motor-vehicle theft to shoplifting
- Public Order Offences including violent disorder and affray
- Driving offences
WHATEVER YOUR CASE – WE CAN HELP!
Our role is not to judge you, it is to represent you. We will advise you on the law and the evidence against you. Our aim is to achieve the best possible outcome in each case and we will only act in your best interests. We pride ourselves on being approachable and supportive to all of our clients, including young people and their parents. We believe that every client should get the same high quality service, whether legally aided or paying privately. We treat our clients as individuals and communicate with you according to your needs.
We work closely with excellent independent barristers whose chambers appear in the top ‘Legal 500’. We instruct defence specialists. We do not use in-house counsel so you are free to instruct the barrister of your choice. Alternatively we will recommend a barrister with the skills and experience appropriate for your individual case.
We are able to call on a network of forensic experts who can help with your case. If your case involves family or housing issues, then we will call upon the expertise of our firm’s other departments to assist you.
We deal with criminal cases at all levels including at the:
- Police station
- Magistrates Court
- Youth Court
- Crown Court
- Court of Appeal
- Other investigations and prosecutions (including those by the DWP/Local Authority for benefit claims, the RSPCA for animal welfare or dangerous dogs, and Education Act prosecutions by the Local Authority).
We provide a 24 hour free emergency service for those who have been arrested and detained at a police station. We will provide prompt help, advice and attendance. Our offices are in the heart of Catford so we are very near to Lewisham, Catford and Bromley Police Stations, although we attend police stations all over London and the South of England. Most of us drive so we can get around quickly. This is completely free of charge. We will always attend for our clients and we will not keep you waiting. Ask for us by name; Morrison Spowart or ask for one of the individuals named below.
020 8698 9200 during office hours (9.30am-5pm Monday to Friday), or
020 8461 9016 outside office hours and at weekends
Funding – We have been awarded a contract by the Legal Aid Agency to carry out all criminal defence work. Everyone who is arrested or who has to go to a police station is entitled to free representation.
Many of our clients who have to attend court are eligible for legal aid. We will always advise you about your eligibility for legal aid and we will help you with your application.
If, in your particular circumstances, legal aid is not available, we offer competitive rates should you wish to instruct us privately and we are happy to discuss the cost of representation in your individual case.
Emma Sackville is the head of our criminal department.
Please contact us by telephone 020 8698 9200 or 020 8461 9016 or by email;
emma.sackville@morrisonspowart.com
oliver.head@morrisonspowart.com
angela.horne@morrisonspowart.com
mary.bachtina@morrisonspowart.com
If you have a general enquiry, please email enquiries@morrisonspowart.com but please telephone on 020 8698 9200 or 020 8461 9016 if it is urgent.
Our secure email addresses are:
emma.sackville@morrisonspowart.cjsm.net
oliver.head@morrisonspowart.cjsm.net
angela.horne@morrisonspowart.cjsm.net
mary.bachtina@morrisonspowart.cjsm.net
Relationship breakdown – We understand that this can be a difficult and distressing time for clients who are likely to be facing emotional and financial difficulties. We can guide you through the difficulties sensitively and efficiently with a view to achieving the best outcome for you. We aim to deal with cases in a constructive and non-confrontational manner, with referrals to mediation in the first instance where appropriate, so as to avoid the costs. . If however court proceedings do become necessary, we will work hard to bring your case to a fair conclusion. We have expertise in advising on the legal procedure of divorce, the dissolution of civil partnerships and judicial separation. We can advise on resolving financial matters including the legal ownership of property and financial settlements for children. In certain circumstances we can obtain emergency financial injunctions.