Our firm stands apart because we operate in a space no other Scottish criminal defence practice occupies. We are a private client criminal defence firm dedicated solely to resolving complex criminal matters — from early-stage investigations through to prosecution — for discerning private clients across Scotland.
Unlike traditional firms where criminal defence is only one part of a much broader legal offering, criminal defence is our entire focus. This singular commitment allows us to devote the time, resources, and strategic attention each case demands.
Our fee structure reflects not only the calibre of service we provide, but the depth of work involved. It signals our commitment to achieving outcomes, not volume.
We do not operate within the traditional legal marketplace — we have created a specialist niche of our own.
Richard Freeman, Solicitor Advocate and founder of the firm, explains:
“Many large private practice firms will occasionally accept criminal defence cases for their clients, but criminal work is rarely their core priority. In most instances, it is secondary to other commercial or civil disciplines within the firm.”
Our practice was built to be different.
The Scottish criminal defence market is dominated by legal aid firms, many staffed by highly capable solicitors who are nevertheless severely restricted by funding limitations. Legal aid payments — often between £260 and £500 per case — are expected to cover preparation, investigation, advocacy, and representation.
In reality, this level of funding frequently makes it impossible to dedicate the time and resources complex cases require. Even the most principled firms can find themselves forced into high-volume case handling simply to remain financially viable.
This volume-driven approach is entirely at odds with our philosophy.
We fully support ongoing efforts to reform legal aid funding, but our firm has consciously chosen a different path — one that prioritises quality, strategy, and individual client outcomes above all else.
Our approach is built on transparency, excellence, and strategic precision.
Every case is treated as a standalone project. We deploy the full resources of our firm — time, expertise, investigation, and advocacy — to develop a tailored defence strategy designed to achieve the best possible result for each client.
We do not cut corners. We do not overload our caseload. And we do not compromise on preparation.
More than a decade ago, we made the deliberate decision to step away from the legal aid culture that had come to dominate the industry, and to create a firm structured around results-driven private defence.
Before founding this practice, Richard Freeman spent over 15 years as senior partner at Scotland’s largest criminal legal aid firm. While the experience gained was exceptional, the realities of the system became increasingly frustrating.
Court days often meant managing multiple trials simultaneously, moving between courtrooms, balancing competing demands from clients, prosecutors, and witnesses — all under intense time pressure. Although effective advocacy was still delivered, the level of service each client deserved was inevitably compromised.
That was not acceptable.
To address this, Richard established a dedicated private client division within the firm, entirely separate from legal aid work. He personally funded and ring-fenced it to ensure private clients received the focused attention their cases required. The difference was immediate — both for clients and for professional satisfaction.
However, it soon became clear that the broader firm structure and legal aid mindset conflicted with the ambition to build a truly specialist private criminal defence practice.
That realisation led to a defining decision.
Richard went on to qualify as a Solicitor Advocate, gaining full rights of audience to personally represent clients in the High Court. Upon qualification, he was informed by the Law Society that he had achieved top examination marks — a milestone that confirmed his resolve to establish an independent, specialist firm.
The result is a bespoke criminal defence practice built specifically to serve private clients facing serious and complex allegations.
Our model enables us to deliver a level of service few firms can match. Clients benefit from:
Our clients place their future in our hands, and we treat that responsibility with the seriousness it deserves.
If you are seeking a Scottish criminal defence law firm with the skill, experience, and determination to fight tirelessly for the best possible outcome, contact us today on 0800 677 1900, call one of our local offices, or request a confidential call back using our online form.
Our results speak for themselves.