Olliers Solicitors

Business Details

Award-Winning Criminal Defence Solicitors

Olliers Solicitors is a leading criminal defence and regulatory law firm with a formidable reputation for proactive pre-charge engagement and strategic problem-solving. Specialising in serious crime, sexual offences, fraud, and regulatory matters, we combine decades of collective experience with a tailored approach to every case. Ranked as a top-tier firm by Legal 500 and Chambers Guide, we prioritise client interests through early intervention to prevent prosecutions where possible.

Our senior lawyers, including award-winning practitioners, deliver results in complex cases involving murder, money laundering, and corporate fraud. With offices in Manchester and London, we serve clients nationwide through privately funded and legally aided representation. Our ethos centres on minimising client stress while maximising outcomes through evidence analysis, expert witness collaboration, and robust legal argumentation.

Services

Criminal Defence Fraud Investigations Regulatory Compliance Pre-Charge Engagement Serious Crime Representation Sexual Offences Defence Motoring Offences Professional Discipline Inquests & Inquiries International Cases

Highlights and features

Proactive pre-charge engagement to prevent prosecutions
Ranked top-tier by Legal 500 and Chambers Guide
Award-winning lawyers with decades of criminal law experience
Transparent fee structure with upfront cost discussions
Client testimonials highlighting successful case outcomes

Associations and certifications

Legal 500 2026
Chambers Guide 2026
Times Best Law Firm 2025

What people say

Proactive pre-charge engagement Excellent case outcomes Professional and compassionate Transparent communication Award-winning expertise

Website

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Services

Criminal Defence

Our criminal defence service provides comprehensive legal support for individuals facing serious criminal allegations. We specialise in murder, fraud, and sexual offence cases, combining proactive pre-charge strategies with courtroom advocacy. Our approach focuses on early evidence analysis, witness preparation, and developing robust defence strategies tailored to each client's circumstances. With decades of collective experience, we represent clients in magistrates' and crown courts nationwide while maintaining strict confidentiality and minimising reputational impact.

Pre-Charge Engagement

This proactive service involves strategic engagement with investigators before formal charges are filed. We analyse evidence, identify weaknesses in cases, and submit representations to prevent prosecutions. Our team works closely with police and CPS to demonstrate lack of public interest or insufficient evidence, often achieving no further action outcomes. This approach minimises client stress and avoids court proceedings while preserving professional and personal reputations.

Serious Fraud Defence

We defend complex financial crime allegations including tax fraud, money laundering, and corporate misconduct. Our specialists work with forensic accountants to analyse financial records, challenge evidence, and develop defence strategies. We represent clients in investigations by the Serious Fraud Office, HMRC, and international agencies, focusing on preventing charges and minimising business disruption while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Regulatory Compliance

This service addresses regulatory matters for professionals facing disciplinary proceedings before bodies like the GMC, GDC, and SRA. We provide representation for healthcare professionals, solicitors, and regulated industry personnel, focusing on maintaining licences and professional standing. Our approach combines regulatory knowledge with strategic defence to achieve favourable outcomes in fitness-to-practise hearings and investigations.

Sexual Offences Defence

We specialise in defending serious sexual offence allegations including rape, indecent images, and historic abuse claims. Our approach combines forensic evidence analysis, witness preparation, and strategic pre-charge engagement to challenge allegations. We work with expert witnesses to assess evidence credibility while providing sensitive, confidential representation throughout investigations and court proceedings for optimal client outcomes.

People

Matthew Claughton

Managing Director

With over 30 years' experience, Matthew Claughton leads Olliers' criminal defence practice. Recognised as Legal 500's Northern Powerhouse Criminal Lawyer of the Year, he specialises in serious crime and fraud cases. His expertise spans murder, conspiracy, and regulatory matters, maintaining a strong track record in high-profile prosecutions.

Toby Wilbraham

Solicitor

Toby Wilbraham specialises in sexual offences and serious crime defence. With extensive trial experience, he focuses on pre-charge engagement strategies to prevent prosecutions. His expertise includes representing clients in complex rape allegations and historic abuse cases with notable success in no further action outcomes.

Alex Close-Claughton

Senior Associate

Alex Close-Claughton handles serious crime and regulatory matters, with particular expertise in multi-defendant conspiracies. As Olliers' training lead, he oversees Crown Court accreditation for junior lawyers while maintaining a practice focused on murder, drugs offences, and joint enterprise prosecutions.

James Claughton

Associate Solicitor

James Claughton specialises in fraud and regulatory defence, managing complex financial crime investigations. His practice includes representing clients in FCA and HMRC investigations, with a focus on preventing charges through strategic pre-charge representations and forensic evidence analysis.

Matthew Corn

Partner

Matthew Corn leads Olliers' serious crime department with over 20 years' experience in criminal defence. A former barrister, he specialises in murder, terrorism, and firearms offences, combining courtroom advocacy with strategic pre-trial evidence analysis to achieve successful outcomes in high-profile cases.

Questions

What types of criminal cases do you handle?

We handle serious crime, fraud, sexual offences, regulatory matters, and motoring offences. Our expertise includes murder, money laundering, and professional disciplinary proceedings.

What is pre-charge engagement?

Pre-charge engagement involves proactive legal intervention after police interviews to prevent prosecutions through evidence analysis and strategic representations to investigators.

Are you regulated by legal authorities?

We are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 597078) and maintain strict compliance with professional standards.

Can you handle international cases?

Yes, we represent clients in cross-border investigations and have experience with multi-jurisdictional cases involving asset restraint and international law enforcement cooperation.

Do you offer legal aid?

We accept legally aided cases where appropriate, while also providing privately funded representation with transparent fee structures for all clients.

How do you approach complex fraud cases?

We employ forensic accountants, analyse digital evidence, and develop tailored strategies to challenge complex fraud allegations from investigation through to trial.

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Reviews (6)

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Anon Ymous

Nov 29, 2021 Report

Olliers Solicitors have been by our side for 2 and half years. In very difficult circumstances, they have advised us, acted for us, reassured us. We worked mainly with Zita Spencer and also Matthew Claughton. Zita in particular became almost part of the family. She understood our concerns, always addressed them, always responded promptly and was proactive is helping us navigate our circumstances.

Her empathy and commitment to our case helped us to feel secure in the process. We felt like her only client: it was clear she cared about our situation. Zita and Matt's assertiveness on our behalf gave

Armen Mnatsakanyan

Nov 28, 2021 Report

Positive:Professionalism
Very professional and helpful service. Thanks for the support. I would definitely recommend Olliers to others.

Uzair Hussain

Nov 19, 2021 Report

Olliers Solicitors were fantastic in dealing with my case. Nathalie was fantastic in making sure I felt reassured and listened to everything I had to say. I was informed at every update no matter how small. I got exactly what you want from a legal firm and more. Would definitely use them again.

Stephen Brown

Oct 26, 2021 Report

It may be a Solicitors business but the staff I had contact were friendly and made great builders tea. Will have to return but no problems with that

Stacey Acquah

Oct 25, 2021 Report

I used Olliers for a huge firearms case for my son. Matt Corn represented him for just short of a year & took it to trial (in which my son got acquitted). Matt was excellent and I found him to be absolutely amazing Not only was he empathetic with us as a family, keeping us informed every step of the way, I feel he went the extra mile for my boy & attended every hearing when some solicitors resort to video link or representatives ( as he was detained in a prison out of town) & really believed in my sons innocence & was passionate his job. He remained professional & very assertive to the

Aa Aa

Oct 23, 2021 Report

A strong firm capable of being a key leader in the Yorkshire legal market in the medium term. Matthew Claughton is simply OUTSTANDING. Best Regards, Abraham A.