Business Details
19 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Specialist Criminal Law Solicitors in the South West
Established in 2007, Cox Burley Solicitors has grown to become the largest specialist criminal law practice in the South West, serving clients across Devon and Cornwall. Our team of 8 fully qualified criminal defence solicitors brings between 17 and 46 years of experience, with higher court rights enabling representation in the Crown Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. We specialise in all aspects of criminal law, including general crime, serious fraud, and traffic offences, offering fixed-fee services and 24/7 police station assistance. Our solicitors provide expert legal representation at every stage of criminal proceedings, from police interviews to court trials, with a proven track record in high-profile cases. We maintain authorisation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and prioritise transparent pricing, flexible payment options, and client-focused service.Our strategic proximity to Bodmin Magistrates Court enhances our expertise in road traffic matters, while our team's collective experience exceeding 200 years ensures comprehensive legal support. We offer free initial consultations and legal aid eligibility assessments, alongside private payment arrangements for those who prefer fixed-fee structures. Our commitment to quality is reflected in ongoing service monitoring and a formal complaints procedure overseen by partner Paul Burley. With duty solicitors attending courts daily and a dedicated team handling agency work beyond our region, we combine local knowledge with national capability. Our practice extends to complex fraud cases, including mortgage fraud, VAT fraud, and SFO prosecutions, supported by a network of specialist barristers.
Services
Criminal Law
Traffic Offences
Serious Fraud
General Crime
Legal Aid
Police Station Representation
Crown Court Cases
Motoring Offences
Fraud Investigations
Court Proceedings
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We have over 200 years combined experience in criminal law
- Fixed fees available for motoring offences and court cases
- 24/7 police station assistance with duty solicitors available
- Legal aid eligibility assessments conducted at no initial cost
- Higher court rights enabling representation in Supreme Court cases
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA)
Services
Criminal Law
Specialist criminal law representation covering all stages of proceedings from police interviews to Crown Court trials. Our solicitors hold higher court rights enabling appearances in the Supreme Court. Services include case strategy development, evidence analysis, and sentencing advocacy for both private individuals and businesses facing criminal investigations or prosecutions.
Traffic Offences
Expert representation for road traffic offences including speeding, driving bans, and penalty points. Located near Bodmin Magistrates Court, we specialise in challenging driving disqualifications and negotiating alternative sentencing. Fixed fee arrangements available with experienced solicitors who regularly appear before magistrates throughout the South West.
Serious Fraud
Comprehensive legal support for complex fraud cases including mortgage fraud, VAT fraud, and SFO investigations. Our team has handled high-profile cases at The Old Bailey and Cornwalls largest fraud trial. Services cover investigation response, asset recovery, and court representation with access to specialist barristers for complex litigation.
General Crime
Representation for all levels of criminal offences from minor charges to murder. Services include police station attendance, court preparation, and trial advocacy. Our solicitors handle cases involving Trading Standards, DWP, and environmental agencies, with expertise in special reasons arguments and exceptional hardship claims.
Legal Aid
Free legal representation assessments for eligible clients through Legal Aid. We conduct means and merits tests to determine eligibility for criminal proceedings. For those not qualifying, we offer transparent fixed-fee arrangements covering court appearances, evidence analysis, and barrister instruction where required.
People
Steven Cox
Partner
Qualified solicitor since 2002 with extensive criminal law experience. Co-founder of Cox Burley Solicitors in 2007, specialising in high-profile cases and supervising legal strategy across the firm's operations in Devon and Cornwall.
Paul Burley
Partner
Qualified since 1995 with over 25 years criminal law expertise. Co-founder responsible for quality control and client complaints procedure. Regularly appears in higher courts and supervises the firm's complex fraud and serious crime cases.
Barry Hilliard
Partner
Qualified solicitor since 1992 with specialist higher court rights. Focuses on serious criminal cases requiring Crown Court representation. Oversees duty solicitor operations and agency work across multiple jurisdictions.
Julian Berg
Consultant
Senior legal consultant qualified since 1976 with decades of criminal law experience. Provides specialist advice on complex cases and contributes to the firm's strategic development while maintaining active court representation.
Chris Mitchell
Consultant
Qualified consultant solicitor since 2006 with expertise in motoring offences and general crime. Handles high-volume court appearances while maintaining specialist knowledge of legal aid eligibility assessments and fixed-fee case management.
Questions
What areas do you cover?
We operate throughout Devon and Cornwall with our main office in Liskeard. Our strategic location near Bodmin Magistrates Court enhances our capability in traffic offence cases across the South West region.
Do you offer free initial consultations?
Yes, we provide free initial consultations to discuss your case, explain legal processes, and determine the best course of action whether through Legal Aid or private payment arrangements.
Can you help with urgent police station visits?
Our duty solicitors are available 24/7 for police station assistance. Simply ask for us by name when attending a police interview or contact us in advance for immediate support.
What payment options exist?
We offer fixed-fee structures for most cases, payment instalments, and accept credit/debit card payments. Legal Aid options are assessed at no initial cost to eligible clients.
How experienced is your team?
Our 8 solicitors have between 17 and 46 years' experience, with collective expertise exceeding 200 years. All hold higher court rights enabling representation in the Supreme Court when required.
What happens if my case goes to trial?
We provide comprehensive trial preparation including evidence analysis, witness statements, and court strategy. Our solicitors can act as solicitor-advocates or instruct specialist barristers depending on case complexity.
