About us

Pickwick Solicitors is a small and specialist criminal defence firm.  We hold a criminal legal aid contract, but we can also be instructed on a private basis.
We represent clients at the police station, Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court, all the way though to the Court of Appeal.

We represent clients in relation to all criminal offences, from the most minor to the most serious offences.  We also specialise in driving offences.

Our service is personal and niche, providing excellent client care.  You will only ever speak to a qualified solicitor.  Solicitor’s mobile phone numbers are provided as standard.

Chris Pickwick

Chris has practiced criminal law for over 25 years. He has been a Duty Solicitor for 20 years. He set up Pickwick Solicitors is 2012 and it has grown from strength to strength. Chris specialises in very serious matters from murder to firearms offences. Chris is very experienced in driving matters and is a regular at Magistrates’ Courts throughout London and the Home Counties. In his spare time, Chris likes to watch rugby and is an active member of Woodford RFU. Chris is very approachable and can be contacted on chris@pickwicksolicitors.co.uk or 07961102829

Hazel Hannan – Consultant Solicitor

Hazel became a Duty Solicitor in 2018 and is a regular at the London and Home Counties Magistrates’ Courts. She also attends police stations to represent clients. Hazel also specialises in very serious matters and is a frequent solicitor for Service Personnel. Hazel can be contacted on 07912347048 or info@pickwicksolicitors.co.uk

Legal Aid

The majority of criminal offences meet the Interests of Justice test and therefore most defendants are eligible for Legal Aid.  This means our costs are met by the Legal Aid Agency and therefore there is no cost to the defendants.

Police Station Advice and Assistance

All suspects who attend the police station for interview, whether under arrest or attending on a voluntary basis, are entitled to be represented by a solicitor and there is no charge for this service.

We are available 24/7 for police station attendance.  If you are invited into the police station for a voluntary interview, we can also arrange this on your behalf.  It is crucial that suspects are represented at this early stage of the investigation.

Magistrates’ and Youth Court

We attend court on a daily basis and have a wealth of experience behind us.  We can obtain the prosecution evidence in advance of the hearing and also make a legal aid application on your behalf.  Legal aid in the Magistrates’ Court is means tested and if you are not eligible, we can be instructed on a private basis.  We offer very reasonable private rates, whether a fixed fee or an hourly rate.

Crown Court

We represent defendants all the way through to the Crown Court.  We can instruct very experienced barristers on your behalf.  We always use the same barristers’ chambers and instruct counsel that we have used for many years.

Again, we can represent defendants under the Legal Aid Scheme, and even if a defendant does not meet the financial criteria, he/she can still get legal aid albeit with a contribution towards the costs.

DWP Investigations

The Department of Work and Pensions generally investigate alleged crimes in house.  Suspects are interviewed under caution and are entitled to have a solicitor present.  Representation for a DWP interview is means tested, however, most people in receipt of benefits will qualify.  We will fully advise you prior to the interview as well as being present at the interview itself.

Court-Martial

We can represent members of the Armed Forces if investigated by the Military Police and indeed if prosecuted by the Service Prosecution Authority.  The Armed Forces Criminal Legal Aid Authority allows us to provide free advice at the interview stage and the same Interests of Justice and Means Tests apply as per civilian legal aid for representation at court.

Our Fees

Pickwick Solicitors usually work on a fixed fee basis. VAT is charged at 20% and also charged if Counsel is required in the Crown Court or if an Expert Witness is required.

Time Scales

All cases begin at the Magistrates’ Court. For minor offences, such as most driving offences, these are usually dealt with at the First Appearance at the Magistrates’ Court. If a not guilty plea is entered in the Magistrates’ Court , a trial would usually take place within 1-3 months of the First Appearance.
If a case is sent to the Crown Court for trial or the Defendant elects a Crown Court trial, the trial would normally take place within 6 to 9 months, however, due to the pandemic many cases are taking a substantially longer period to come to trial.

Complaints Procedure

I believe that you will find us to be informative and efficient but if you are not satisfied with any aspect of the service please raise your concerns in the first instance with us and we will provide you with details of our complaints procedure. If you still have queries or concerns, please contact the Legal Ombudsman who will then consider any points raised in order to try to resolve the difficulty. Their website is www.legalombudsman.org.uk
If you have complained to us about breaching the SRA code of conduct, and you are not satisfied with our response you can report us to the SRA.

Hourly rate-£200 plus VAT per hour

Fixed fees in the Magistrates’ Court-£500 for one hearing and £300 for a further hearing. VAT to be added.

Trial-between £700 and £2,000 depending on length of trial.

It may be possible to provide a fixed fee in the Crown Court for a very straight forward case, but this would exclude Counsel’s fees.