2025 Criminal Law: How Lawyers and Law Firms Will Adapt

16 January 2025

The landscape of criminal law in the UK is expected to undergo notable changes by 2025.

In the UK, 6.66 million crimes were recorded by police in 2023/24. The crime rate in England and Wales has generally been decreasing over the last decade (although it certainly doesn’t feel that way for Criminal Lawyers!). However, there are some notable exceptions.

What areas of crime are on the rise?

  • There was no change in the number of violent incidents and there was an increase in incidents recorded as ‘violence with injury’
  • There was a 37% increase in fraud offenses referred to police
  • Knife crime in Avon and Somerset saw a 25% increase
  • Robbery returned to levels last seen before the covid-19 pandemic
  • Shoplifting offences rose by 29%

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond… Cybercrime will continue to dominate the scene, with increasingly sophisticated methods being employed by criminals. Legal professionals must equip themselves with advanced knowledge in digital forensics and cybersecurity to effectively tackle these threats. Financial crimes are projected to become more intricate, as offenders leverage cutting-edge technology to obscure their illicit actions. This necessitates a heightened focus on understanding complex financial transactions and regulatory frameworks.

Environmental crimes are also likely to rise in prominence, driven by global efforts to combat climate change. Legal practitioners will need to deepen their expertise in environmental laws and regulations to address these offences proficiently. Additionally, social and economic shifts could influence crime trends, leading to a possible increase in crimes related to social unrest and economic disparity.

Emerging technologies such as blockchain and artificial intelligence might be utilised both by criminals and law enforcement, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving battleground. This will require legal professionals to stay informed about technological advancements and their implications for criminal activity. Law firms that specialise in criminal law must anticipate these trends and prepare to address the legal complexities they introduce, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the field.

There are a number of high-profile public inquiries still ongoing in 2025. 15 active public inquiries are taking place in the UK, with some due to conclude this year and others that will take far longer.

Advances in Technology

The role of technology in criminal law is expanding, presenting both challenges and opportunities for legal practices. Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionise the way solicitors prepare cases and gather evidence. With AI’s ability to analyse vast datasets swiftly, legal professionals can streamline case preparation, enhancing efficiency and accuracy. However, the integration of AI in legal settings also demands rigorous ethical considerations and regulatory oversight.

Technology will also transform evidence gathering. The utilisation of advanced surveillance systems, biometric data, and digital footprints will become commonplace, demanding that solicitors stay abreast of technological innovations. While these tools provide substantial support in building strong cases, they also raise questions about privacy and civil liberties, necessitating a delicate balance between security and individual rights.

Transformations in Legal Aid

The provision of legal aid services is poised for substantial evolution by 2025. The news of a £24 million boost for criminal legal aid before Christmas was welcome, but we still await the detail on how this will be distributed.

Collaborating with the CLSA will help firms to share their concerns, contribute to discussions and advocate for policy changes that will benefit vulnerable members of the community and help support the criminal law solicitors doing their utmost to help people.

Key Trends for Law Firms in 2025

The rapidly evolving legal landscapes means that there are always challenges and opportunities for law firms that have the ability to adapt and are on the front foot with innovation.

AI

AI is still very much on the agenda for 2025. It has been the theme and focus of conferences for several years now, however, as we go into 2025, we now have some examples of how progressive law firms are harnessing the power of AI to improve their processes.

Remote Working

Remote working is still an issue for the more ‘traditional’ law firms. With another serious flu virus doing the rounds early in the new year, this highlights that we are not out of the woods yet when it comes to widespread pandemics or future lockdown scenarios. We would hope that the UK is better equipped to deal with these matters now, having learned some lessons from 2020 but it is essential for law firms to be agile enough to deal with home and hybrid working.

Fixed Fee Structures

Alternative fee structures, such as fixed fees or subscription models, are gaining traction. These models offer clients greater predictability in legal costs and demonstrate the firm’s commitment to transparent, client-focused service. In a survey by Clio, 54% of law firms are expecting to increase the use fixed fees, coming away from the traditional hourly billing structure.

Rising Client Expectations

Today’s clients demand more than just good legal advice. They are looking for accessibility, speed, convenience, relationships, personalised communication and the use of tech. More firms are using apps and digital communication automation to please the next generation of clients.