Blackfords LLP fields a ‘highly-resourced and efficient’ team with broad experience across general crime and fraud matters, including organised crime, modern slavery and child cruelty, in addition to covering financial crime and HMRC investigations. Philip Williams heads up the firm’s Cardiff office, and has experience acting for individuals and businesses facing a range of investigations. Alongside Williams are the highly experienced Nicola Mitchard, whose focus is fraud and money laundering, and Scott Bowen, a solicitor advocate with strength in financial crime.

Bowden Jones Solicitors covers all aspects of general crime and fraud, including white collar and corporate clients. The group offers expertise in innovative areas such as cryptocurrency fraud, and has experience in a range of high-profile international matters. Huw Bowden leads the team, and ‘demonstrates sound judgment combined with hard graft in every case he handles’. Stephen Jones is a key name for violent crime and drug-related offences, with over 30 years’ experience in the practice area. Lauren Chambers covers the full range of criminal law, and has notable strength in youth court matters.

de Maids Solicitors & Advocates is noted for its particular strength in fraud matters, but covers the full spectrum of criminal work, including violent crime, drug-related crime, and motoring cases. Matthew de Maid leads the team, and is ‘a tireless advocate for each and every one of his clients’. Sarah de Maid is a key name, leading on prison law and advising on parole applications, while the ‘calm and methodical’ Stephen Jones has experience representing clients charged with murder, manslaughter, rape, and terrorism offences, in addition to numerous other matters.

M and M Solicitors has an ‘excellent local reputation for fearless advice and representation‘, and works throughout the UK on a diverse array of crime matters, including fraud, financial crime, and drug and violent offences. Nadeem Majid, who is ‘a brilliant partner with his finger always on the pulse’, leads the team, and has experience representing clients accused of fraud, drug crime, and prostitution, among other matters. Mike Prosser is particularly adept in fraud matters, and has strength providing advice and assistance to clients in police custody. Craig Bond is also a key name.

Harrison Clark Rickerbys is a leading name in the agricultural sector, handling a range of high-stakes regulatory and criminal matters. Aled Owen, who has over 25 years’ experience in the practice area, is active across the UK for farmers and agricultural businesses, covering the full range of issues relating to livestock, badger culls, and environmental compliance. Owen holds higher rights of audience, and has specialist knowledge in fraud and hygiene offences within the agricultural sector.

Hugh James has an emphasis on regulatory crime, business crime, and professional regulation, and acts on behalf of prosecutors in relation to health and safety, environmental, and food safety matters, in addition to a range of other issues. The group is active throughout England and Wales, and is led by Martin Jones, whose practice extends to fraud issues and financial regulation. Also key are Justin Davies, who has particular expertise in POCA proceedings and fire safety law, and Lydia Clements.

Morgan LaRoche is active nationally in the independent early years and social care sectors, representing care homes and independent day and boarding schools in regulatory compliance and enforcement matters. The group is additionally active in white-collar crime matters, including fraud and tax crime issues. Andrew Manners leads the team, and is a leading practitioner for care standards work. Manners’ criminal practice additionally covers fraud, road traffic cases, and financial crime, and is supplemented by experience in media and crisis management.

Reeds Solicitors has a presence across the UK, in addition to two offices within Wales, in Cardiff and Bridgend. The group covers the full gamut of crime, including violent crime, drug offences, motoring law and fraud issues. Jon Wilkins leads the team from Cardiff, and is a prominent name for motoring offences. Wilkins is a solicitor advocate, and has experience acting for a range of high-net-worth individuals. Nathan Adams provides key support, and is a qualified police station representative, while Laura Halliday has a focus on murder, homicide, and drugs cases, with expertise in POCA proceedings.

Gomer Williams & Co, based in Llanelli, is a long-established firm with a growing criminal defence department. The group represents clients at all stages of the criminal process, and covers violent crime and drug offences as well as motoring and local authority disputes. Jointly leading the team are Andrew Isaac and Alex Scott. Laura Sherwood is also a key name to note.