Ed Cape’s ‘Defending Suspects at the Police Station’ 9th Edition

2 Dec 2025 | Blog

The ninth edition of the bible that is Ed Cape’s defending suspects at the police station has just been published. This is core reading for anyone who is training for police station accreditation or for those who are regularly attending the police station. More...

An Interview with Katy Hanson

2 Dec 2025 | Blog

As the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association enters a pivotal period for the profession, newly appointed Chair Katy Hanson steps into the role with deep experience, clear purpose, and a passionate commitment to defending access to justice. In this interview, Katy...

A Budget That Leaves the Justice System Behind

27 Nov 2025 | Blog, News

Wednesday’s Budget offered little comfort – and even less clarity – for those of us working within the criminal justice system. Despite the well-documented crisis facing our courts, prisons, and frontline legal services, there was no mention whatsoever of...

Winter Watchlist: Crime, Courtrooms and Cold Nights In

30 Oct 2025 | Blog

As the nights draw in and court corridors get colder, there’s no shame in embracing a little winter hibernation. After a long day juggling clients, caseloads and courtrooms, a gripping drama can be exactly what you need to unwind – and if it happens to be crime,...

Building Resilience Through the Winter: Taking Care of Ourselves and Each Other

30 Oct 2025 | Blog

Now the clocks have gone back and the days grow shorter, many of us in criminal defence find ourselves facing not just the dark mornings and evenings, but the weight of another long and challenging year. The pressures of this job are relentless – long,...

The Practical Cost of Mazur for Criminal Defence Solicitors

30 Oct 2025 | Blog

The Law Society has now published a practice note on Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP. Mazur: Law Society publishes new guidance for profession | The Law Society In a nutshell, the guidance emphasises the requirement for an authorised person (usually a Solicitor)...

A New Chapter for the CLSA: Katy Hanson Takes the Chair as Daniel Bonich Passes the Baton

7 Oct 2025 | Blog, Members, News

The Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association (CLSA) is delighted to announce that Katy Hanson will take over as Chair, following Daniel Bonich’s five-year tenure leading the association through one of the most turbulent and transformative periods in criminal law. Andrew...

Justice in the Sun: How Criminal Law Works in Holiday Hotspots

24 Jul 2025 | Blog

Same crime, different country – how justice varies across your favourite summer destinations. As criminal defence solicitors in England and Wales, we work within a legal system that (despite its flaws) is underpinned by familiar rules: access to legal aid, the...

How the Jury Trial Reforms Could Reshape Your Defence Strategies

14 Jul 2025 | Blog

The latest review of the criminal justice system by Sir Brian Leveson has sent shockwaves through the legal profession. With a Crown Court backlog exceeding 77,000 cases – and some trials listed as far out as 2029 – the review warns of a system nearing...

The Rule of Law: What Does it Mean?

30 Jun 2025 | Blog

By Andrew Bishop I am a CLSA Committee member but also the representative of Sussex on the Law Society Council, one of 97 seats. The Law Society sees the protection of the Rule of Law both in England and Wales and abroad as one of its most important functions. At a...