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Crown Court Advocacy

Legal Aid is available if your case is transferred to the Crown Court.  Depending on your financial circumstances you may be required to pay a Contribution to the Court towards your Legal Aid.

You have a choice of Advocate to represent you at the Crown Court.  Your Solicitor may recommend an advocate to you based on their experience and availability.  Our Solicitors work closely with your Advocate to fully prepare your case for the Crown Court.  Conferences can be arranged at any of our offices or sometimes in Chambers.  We have a vast range of contacts at Chambers across the UK, Whilst we have our own capable and experienced Advocates at Eastgate Chambers, depending upon your choice and also the experience required for your case, we will instruct Advocates from other Chambers including 25 Bedford Row, Doughty Street, Park Chambers, Regent Chambers, St Ives and the Public Defender Service, amongst others.

Chris Clark qualified as a Solicitor in 1979 and obtained Higher Rights of Audience in 2006 enabling him to conduct cases in the Crown Court and Court of Appeal as a Solicitor Advocate.  Chris is well-known by the people of Staffordshire and beyond for his expertise in Criminal Defence.  Over the years Chris has developed a specialism in Fraud Trials and also cases involving serious criminal matters such as Murder and Drugs Conspiracy cases.

Our Door Tenant Barrister Catherine O’Reilly was called to the bar in 1998.

Catherine has defended in a wide range of criminal cases before the Crown Court.  She has over 20 years of experience in cases involving serious violence (including murder), the supply of drugs and theft. In addition Catherine has particular experience in defending those accused of sexual offences. Matters have included allegations of rape, historic offences and young complainants. Catherine has also acted as Junior Counsel in a notable Terrorism case of a female suspected of being a member of ISIS.

We have long-established working relationships with Regent Chambers in Stoke-on-Trent and regularly instruct Paul Cliff, joint Head of Chambers at Regent Chambers.  Paul Cliff’s practice has encompassed a wide range of criminal defence work before the Court of Appeal and Crown Court. He is a leading junior and a persuasive jury advocate with the ability to quickly identify the issues which will have a real impact on trial presentation.