Criminal defence

Criminal defence is the firm’s core practice. We act for clients at every stage of criminal proceedings: from the first investigative action through to the review of judgments and the questions that arise once a sentence is being enforced.

Stages of the proceedings and what we do

Pre-trial investigation

• Legal protection during a search
• Defence upon detention
• Assistance at questioning and summons by an investigator
• Participation in investigative and covert actions
• Temporary access to items and documents
• Challenging a notice of suspicion
• Preventive measures
• Lifting the seizure of assets
• Lifting the freeze on bank accounts
• Recovery of seized property
• Access to the case materials
• Challenging actions of the investigator and prosecutor
• Closing criminal proceedings
• Defence during the pre-trial investigation

Trial

• Defence in the court of first instance
• Returning the indictment to the prosecutor
• Defence in a jury trial
• Plea and reconciliation agreements

Review of judgments and enforcement of sentence

• Appealing a verdict: appeal and cassation
• Review on newly discovered circumstances
• Enforcement of sentence: parole and deferral

Specific areas

• Defence of business in criminal proceedings
• Anti-corruption defence (NABU, SAPO, HACC)
• Extradition and Interpol disputes
• Defence of minors
• Protecting the rights of the victim

How we handle these matters

• immediate response to searches and detentions
• a lawyer present alongside the client at investigative actions
• the scope of work and the payment terms agreed in writing before we start
• one lawyer runs the case through every stage of the proceedings

Legislation and case law are updated over time; this page reflects the position as of August 2026.

Need legal assistance in a criminal case? Call us or leave a request — a lawyer will contact you and explain what to do next.