Appeals
A wrongful conviction or lengthy prison sentence can be crushing, bringing your life to a complete halt. Overturning a conviction or reducing a sentence requires enduring legal assistance. Cartwright King is one of very law firms that can guide you through the appeals process to help clear a conviction or secure a reduced sentence.
For proven, dedicated legal representation to appeal a conviction or sentence, get in touch with our nationally renowned Criminal Defence Team now.
How our Appeal Solicitors can help you
Putting together a solid appeals case requires a law firm that will give it the time and dedication it deserves. Cartwright King fights to win, doing everything we can to present your appeal against a conviction or sentence as professionally as possible. We leave no stone unturned to give your appeal every opportunity for success.
We can help with:
- Establishing your right to appeal
- Appeals in the Magistrates’ Court
- Appeals in the Crown Court
Unique Appeals Service
Our appeals service gives you access to some of the UK’s leading Criminal Defence Lawyers and in-house Barristers who pack a wealth of legal knowledge and an enviable reputation for overturning convictions and sentences.
You can trust the experience of our dedicated appeals team to fight your corner in the Crown Court or the Court of Appeal. Our professional team works tirelessly to give you shrewd legal advice and representation, doing everything possible to secure a decision in your favour.
Benefit from a Free, Initial Telephone Conversation
If you or a loved one has been convicted or sentenced for a crime that they didn’t commit, having the right law firm on your side is the difference in overturning a decision made by the Court.
Benefit from a free, initial telephone call with Cartwright King’s Criminal Defence Team. Explaining your situation to a specialist will increase your confidence in making an appeal and empower you to make every effort to prove your innocence.
There really is no substitute for speaking to a specialist solicitor to determine whether you can make an appeal and what approach to take.
For immediate action, call us or email us for your free* initial discussion.
The discussion is completely informal and confidential, and is an opportunity for us to:
- Get to know you
- Understand your situation
- Agree how you want to proceed
*Please be aware that this is a ‘get to know you’ call and no advice will be given.
Why Choose Cartwright King to Appeal a Conviction or Sentence?
Cartwright King is one of the most highly rated criminal defence law firms in the UK. 70% of our cases involve defending against criminal charges. Our reputation is built on successfully overturning convictions and sentences. We’re trusted, resourceful and calm under pressure, giving you defence counsel that you can count on.
We listen, we understand and we genuinely care about what happens to you and protecting your future. A criminal conviction or lengthy sentence can destroy your life, the life of your family, future job prospects and more.
Having a law firm on your side that really understands what’s at stake for you, means that you can trust that we’ll do what we can to protect you and your family.
Our advice is backed by experience of dealing with all manner of appeals with a proven track record in and out of the Courtroom. You can trust this experience to endure throughout your appeals process.
Our dedicated appeals team go above and beyond to give you the support you need, for added peace of mind that your case is in good hands.
Working with a specialist Cartwright King solicitor gives you the assurance of having access to legal counsel who will advise you at every stage of your case.
We’re committed to defending your legal rights and ensuring that your voice is heard and taken seriously. When you need us most, our appeals team rises to the challenge.
We’re a trusted, resourceful Legal 500 top tier law firm with specialist solicitors that are calm under pressure, giving you defence counsel that you can count on, no matter how complex your case.
Legal Fees
Cartwright King is a leading provider of Legal Aid criminal defence services.
As Legal Aid is means tested, we will provide further advice on public funding from the Legal Aid Agency at your initial meeting with us.
In cases where you may not be eligible for Legal Aid, our Criminal Defence Team offers competitively-priced fee levels, with fixed fees and advance notice of charges whenever possible.
To discuss your eligibility for Legal Aid please call us, or email your enquiry.
We're here for you.
Frequently asked questions.
I've been convicted in the Magistrates' Court, can I appeal?
Yes. You can appeal a Magistrates Court’ ruling through the Crown Court. Upon your conviction, you have 28 days within which to lodge your appeal. Your appeal will be heard in the Magistrates’ Court by two magistrates and a Judge.
If your appeal is unsuccessful you face having to pay the prosecution’s legal costs.
I've been convicted in the Crown Court, can I appeal?
A conviction in the Crown Court can only be appealed if your conviction is deemed to be “unsafe”. You must have grounds upon which to base your appeal and cannot appeal a conviction merely because you don’t like it.
We will advise you as to whether we consider that you have arguable grounds for an appeal, and if we do, we will establish the grounds of your appeal and argue them before the Court of Appeal.
A sentence can only be appealed if it is wrong in law or deemed to be manifestly excessive. We will advise you as to whether your sentence is either wrong in law or manifestly excessive. If it is, we will establish grounds and argue them before the Court of Appeal.
You have 28 days in which to lodge an appeal upon your conviction or sentence. However, appeals can be heard “out of time” if it is in the interests of justice.
What are my options if my appeal is rejected?
If your appeal is rejected at the ‘first stage’ – usually by a single judge – you still have the option to submit your appeal to the full court. However, this must be given careful consideration because severe penalties will apply if your appeal is refused.
Penalties can include any time already spent in custody – up to the point that your appeal is refused by the Court of Appeal – being discounted as part of your sentence. This means that you face starting your sentence all over again.
If your appeal progresses to the full appellate Court and is unsuccessful, you do still have legal options available to you if you disagree with the Court’s decision. For example, you could file an application with the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC).
