When facing legal challenges, one of the most important decisions you'll make is choosing the right solicitor to represent you. Whether it's a family matter, business dispute, personal injury claim, or any other legal issue, the expertise, approach, and compatibility of your solicitor can have a significant impact on the outcome of your case.

Most of us are used to looking out for speed cameras when we’re driving, but did you know that some cameras on the road can now capture you using your mobile phone?

If you’ve been found guilty of committing a crime such as fraud, money laundering, or corruption, you might be given a confiscation order. That means that the authorities will seize some of your money and / or assets.

Dubai and the United Arab Emirates have often been seen as countries that are a ‘safe haven’ for fugitives. The laws on extradition have been fairly lax, and criminal gangs have seen these places as less risky jurisdictions in which to launder cash, and conceal the proceeds of crime.

There has been a soaring increase in passengers smuggling large quantities of cannabis to the UK through airport luggage. At the end of August 2024, 378 suspects had been detained for this crime, compared to 136 suspects in 2023, according to the National Crime Agency. That’s almost a threefold increase.

If you believe your conviction was unjust due to legal errors, you have the right to appeal. An appeal is a formal request for a higher court to review your case for any mistakes that may have occurred during the trial.

A criminal solicitor costs between £350 per hour and £500 per hour.

But that doesn’t necessarily tell you the whole story. How much your case ends up costing depends on the complexity of the case, and how long it lasts.

If you’ve never instructed a solicitor before, it can be hard to decide which solicitor is the best person for your case.

When you’re found guilty of an offence, the judge or magistrate will give you a sentence for the crime your committed.

Driving offences come in many shapes and forms. From the relatively minor offences like speeding, and parking fines, to the more serious offences like driving under the influence of drink or drugs, or dangerous driving.

Being accused of a crime that you didn’t commit is a stressful experience for anyone. You’d hope that the justice system would prevail and that the truth will come to light through the process. In some cases it does. But as we’ve seen with the Post Office Horizon scandal, sometimes false accusations end up in unfair criminal prosecutions.

Being arrested is an understandably daunting experience that can be lessened by knowing your rights. In England, we are extremely fortunate to have access to a legal system that allows autonomy, even following arrest, but understanding the rights you have can be key to building your defence and ensuring you are treated fairly whilst in police custody.

‘Joint enterprise’ is a legal concept that means that people who helped in a crime in some way can be liable in the same way as if they had actually committed the crime.

In January 2023, the Government announced a crackdown against organised criminal gangs. In the latest concentrated operation, over 1,800 people were arrested to stifle the cross-border drugs supply in the UK.

A criminal conspiracy is an agreement between people to carry out a criminal act.

Intent is defined not by the consequence of an action but by the desired outcome of the action.

As Harewood Law, we are often asked if intoxication can be used as a defence, but the answer always lies in the nuance of the case, the nature of the crime, and the intent of the defendant.

The police have the power to seize property if they think it will aid an ongoing investigation, or if they suspect it has been acquired through criminal activity. But how does it work for cryptocurrency?

Smart contracts have been a theoretical possibility since the 1990s, but it’s only recently that their practical application is gaining traction. We look at how smart contracts function, and how they can be used in business today.

Typically, the legal profession is slow to take up new technology, so using blockchain in the legal world is not widespread. But there are potential uses that may become more popular in the near future.