Speaking up for criminal defence.
CLSA Conference
9 October 2026, Birmingham – Booking now live!
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Following last year’s sell-out success, we’re planning an even bigger and better event for 2026. Expect leading voices, timely discussion, practical insights, and the unrivalled opportunity to connect with criminal law practitioners from across the country – all in a stunning city-centre venue.
NEWS
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Sentencing Council consults on miscellaneous amendments to sentencing guidelines
The Sentencing Council is asking for feedback from practitioners on a series of proposed changes to sentencing guidelines. The changes would affect guidelines relevant in both the magistrates’ courts and the Crown Court. They are designed to bring greater clarity and...
Update Peer Review Quality Guides and Criteria Sheets – 2026
The updated Peer Review Quality Guides and Criteria Sheets for Crime, Family, Immigration & Asylum, Mental Health, and Housing are now available here Peer Review Quality Guide Crime 2026 (1) Crime Peer Review Criteria Sheet 2026
Student outdoor clerking scheme extends to De Montfort University, Leicester
A Student Outdoor Clerk Scheme (SOCS), which began at the University of Kent and is now being developed nationwide, is being established at De Montfort University in Leicester. Richard Atkinson, former President of the Law Society has said: "My firm has used SOCS...
PLEASE SIGN UP: Frontier Survey into bureaucracy
The Law Society has commissioned Frontier Economics to research the costs imposed by the burden of legal aid billing processes and supervision requirements and how these processes affect providers' willingness to take on legal aid work. The research aims to gather...
Letter to legal profession bodies – DAPO national rollout – August 2026
Letter from the MOJ: By email to: Law Society, Resolution, Family Law Bar Association, Legal Aid Practitioners Group, Bar Council, Law Centres Network, Criminal Bar Association Criminal Law Solicitors' Association, Cilex, London Criminal Courts Solicitors'...
Ministry of Justice Public Appointment Vacancies on the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee – Request for assistance
The Ministry of Justice are recruiting new members to the Criminal Procedure Rule Committee, and they are seeking to appoint one solicitor member and one barrister member to the Committee for a four-year term. This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the...
BLOG
What Good Supervision Looks Like in Criminal Defence
What good supervision looks like in criminal defence In a busy criminal defence practice, supervision can easily become another item on the compliance list. Done well, it gives practitioners the confidence, judgement and support they need to provide consistently...
Jury Trial Restrictions: Reform Must Protect Fairness as Well as Efficiency
The pressure on the Crown Court is undeniable. But proposals to restrict jury trials would reshape criminal justice in England and Wales, and lasting reform must command the confidence of defendants, practitioners and the public. A question for criminal justice The...
Rethinking Homicide Law: Why the Law Commission’s Review Matters for Criminal Defence
Every criminal defence solicitor understands that homicide cases are different. They are among the most serious and complex cases to come before the courts, demanding careful judgement, meticulous preparation and an appreciation that every decision can have profound...
When AI Becomes the Evidence: The Next Challenge for Criminal Defence Solicitors
Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly familiar part of the criminal justice landscape. Much of the discussion has focused on how legal professionals might use AI to improve efficiency, but another question is rapidly emerging. What happens when AI is no...
Early Release and Public Confidence: Why Clear Advice Matters More Than Ever
Early release is a complex and contentious issue. For the public, it can raise immediate concerns about safety, confidence and fairness. For victims, particularly in cases involving domestic abuse, serious violence or sexual offending, the prospect of an offender...
Specialising within criminal defence: Is the generalist model running out of road?
For most of a career in criminal defence, the generalist has been the default. You take the duty rota call, whatever it brings - a shoplifting matter on Monday, an ABH on Tuesday, a multi-handed conspiracy by Friday. That breadth has always been part of the job's...
The Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association represents criminal law solicitors throughout England and Wales.
Your representative body when times are tough.
The CLSA is the only organisation dedicated to representing criminal defence solicitors in England and Wales. For over 30 years we have championed our members’ interests – engaging directly with the Ministry of Justice, responding to legislative proposals and representing the profession on key consultative bodies.
Our ambition is simple: to have every criminal law solicitor in England and Wales as a member, strengthening the collective voice of the profession when it matters most.
Membership also connects you to a strong professional community, with an active email group, online network, member discounts, webinars and our popular annual conference.