With Kind Permission From Billy Bragg
Expert Criminal Defence Solicitors Supporting Bradford Clients
Chivers Solicitors acts for clients across Bradford and West Yorkshire who are facing serious criminal allegations. Our criminal defence solicitors provide calm, practical guidance at a time when uncertainty and pressure are often high. From the first point of police contact through to court proceedings, we focus on protecting your rights and helping you understand what happens next.
We have supported individuals accused of criminal offences since 2001. Our criminal defence team has extensive experience dealing with serious, complex and high profile cases across the criminal justice system.
We represent clients from the police station stage through to the Crown Court and, where required, the Court of Appeal. Many cases are shaped long before they reach a courtroom, which is why early advice plays such an important role. Speaking to a criminal defence solicitor before giving any account to the police can help prevent misunderstandings and protect your legal position.
Facing a criminal investigation can feel isolating. Our role is to provide clear advice, explain the process in straightforward terms, and ensure that you are supported at every stage.
Combined years of post-qualified legal experience in Criminal Law
Our Criminal Law Services in Bradford
Our criminal defence solicitors in Bradford act across a wide range of serious and complex offences. We adapt our advice to the specific circumstances of each case, while ensuring that clients understand their rights and responsibilities throughout the process.
Serious and Violent Crime
Allegations involving violence are treated with particular seriousness by the courts. These cases often involve detailed evidence, witness accounts and forensic material.
Our team regularly represents clients accused of offences including:
- Murder and manslaughter
- Section 18 and Section 20 grievous bodily harm
- Non-fatal strangulation
- Violent disorder
- Threats to kill
- Assault on emergency workers
- Affray
We provide clear advice from the earliest stage, including urgent police station attendance where required. If you or a family member is facing a violent crime allegation, early legal support is vital.
Drug Offences and Conspiracies
Drug investigations are often complex and may involve multiple defendants, surveillance evidence and digital material.
We defend clients accused of:
- Drug supply, production and possession
- Conspiracy to supply controlled drugs
- EncroChat related investigations
- Multi handed and organised drug cases
Our solicitors understand how these cases are built and how role, involvement and evidence are assessed.
Sexual Offences
Sexual offence allegations are highly sensitive and can have immediate personal and professional consequences, even before any charge is brought.
We offer discreet, non judgemental representation for individuals accused of sexual offences. Support is provided from police interviews through to court proceedings, with careful attention to privacy, evidence handling, and procedural fairness.
Firearms and Weapons Offences
Firearms and weapons offences carry severe penalties and are prosecuted rigorously.
Our criminal defence solicitors act in cases involving firearm possession, supply offences, and allegations relating to offensive weapons. We explain the legal process clearly and ensure that clients understand the seriousness of the investigation and the steps ahead.
Terrorism Offences
Terrorism investigations require specialist knowledge and careful handling. These cases often involve extended detention powers and complex legal frameworks.
Chivers Solicitors provides experienced representation from investigation through to prosecution, ensuring the clients receive proper advice at every stage.
Fraud, White Collar and Business Crime
We represent individuals and businesses facing allegations as fraud, money laundering, corporate offences and cybercrime. These cases often involve large volumes of documentation and detailed financial evidence, requiring a measured and strategic approach.
Additional Criminal Offences
Our criminal defence team also advises on a wide range of other offences, including public order matters, driving offences and regulatory breaches. Advice is always adapted to the facts of the case and the stage reached in the investigation.
Early Advice Makes A Difference
Police interviews are not informal conversations. Whether you are under arrest or attending voluntarily, anything said during an interview can be relied upon later in court.
Early representation allows a solicitor to assess the allegation, review available evidence, and advise on how best to approach questioning. In many cases, early legal advice can influence how an investigation progresses and how allegations are framed.
24/7 Police Station Representation in Bradford
If you are detained at a police station, you are entitled to free and independent legal advice under the legal aid scheme. This applies regardless of income and includes representation during an interview.
We provide round the clock police station representation for clients in Bradford and surrounding areas. We also advise clients attending voluntary interviews and can arrange same day support where required.
Why Choose Chivers Solicitors?
Clients choose us for our experience, focus, and straightforward approach. Our team has over 83 years of combined experience dealing with serious criminal allegations.
We provide clear advice without judgment, support clients from the police station through to appeal, and focus on protecting rights at every stage. Our work is closely linked with our wider expertise in prison law and family law, allowing us to support clients and their families beyond the immediate criminal case.
If you need transparency around costs, information is available through our prices and resources pages.
Speak To a Criminal Defence Solicitor in Bradford
If you are under investigation, have been arrested, or have been contacted by the police, do not wait to seek advice. Early legal support can make a meaningful difference.
To speak to a criminal defence solicitor in confidence, contact us today on 01274 561 666, email us at solicitors@chiverssolicitors.co.uk, or fill in our online contact form. We are available to provide immediate advice and support when you need it most.
We offer
- Motoring offence, summary only - Trial & Guilty Plea
- Guilty Plea Agreed Fee: £500 + VAT (20% = £100)
- Trial Fees from: £1000 + VAT (at the current rate of 20% = £200)
What is included?
- Attendance and/or preparation
- Considering evidence
- Taking your instructions
- Providing advice on likely sentence
- Attendance and representation at a single hearing at the Magistrates Court
What is not included?
- Instruction of any expert witnesses
- Taking statements from any witnesses
- Advice and assistance in relation to a Special Reasons [i] [ii] hearing
- Advice or assistance in relation to any appeal
Understanding Summary Only Offences and Special Reasons in Traffic Violations
- [i]A summary only offence is an offence which can only be tried in the magistrates' court. There are exceptions. Under the Criminal Justice Act 1988 (CJA 1988) offences specified in the Act can be tried on indictment by a jury if they are linked to an offence triable only in the Crown Court. The principal summary only offences are:
- Driving whilst disqualified
- Careless and inconsiderate driving
- Failing to give information as to the identity of the driver
- Failing to stop or report
- Speeding
- [ii] Special Reasons pertain exclusively to situations where the accused has been found or has pleaded guilty and now faces disqualification unless he/she can persuade the Court that the circumstances of the offence are such that it would be unjust to impose a ban.
How We Work
01
Initial Advice
We will meet with you to give you instructions and gather key information about what happened, regardless of your situation. Our team will consider initial disclosure and any other evidence to provide clear and realistic advice.
We’ll clearly explain the court procedure and the sentencing options available so you know what to expect on the day of your hearing. We’ll be there with you, every step of the way.
02
Case Preparation and Evidence Collection
During the next stage, we will arrange to take any witness statements, if necessary. We can advise you of the additional costs involved.
Our team will then conduct further preparatory work, obtain additional instructions from you if appropriate, and answer any follow-up queries.
Representation in Court
We provide full representation in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, and on appeal.
On the day of your hearing, we will meet with you beforehand, represent you in court, and explain the outcome clearly afterwards.
If an appeal is appropriate, we will advise you on the next steps and any additional costs involved, too.
Want to chat at a time that suits you?
our trusted legal experts
“Chivers Solicitors are dedicated to providing honest, straightforward advice to clients in a friendly and cost effective way.”
Marcus Farrar, Principal