Business Details
25 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Criminal Defence Solicitors in Derby
Established in 2001, C J H Solicitors is a dedicated criminal defence practice serving clients across the East Midlands. Our team of experienced solicitors and legal professionals provide expert representation at every level of the criminal justice system, from police station advice to Supreme Court advocacy. We prioritise meticulous case preparation, transparent communication, and achieving optimal outcomes for our clients. With Crown Court advocates and Duty Solicitors registered under the Solicitors Regulation Authority, we combine decades of collective experience with a client-focused approach.Our services span criminal investigations, court proceedings, football banning orders, motoring law, and appeals. We maintain compliance with Legal Aid Agency standards while offering competitive private rates, ensuring accessibility to quality legal defence regardless of funding method. Our office operations are managed by seasoned professionals who support seamless case progression and client support.
Services
Criminal Investigations
Court Proceedings
Football Banning Orders
Motoring Law
Appeals
Legal Aid Applications
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years' experience in criminal defence law
- Our solicitors are qualified Duty Solicitors for police and court work
- We offer Legal Aid eligibility assessments and competitive private rates
- Our team includes Crown Court advocates with proven trial experience
- We provide thorough case preparation and transparent legal advice
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
Services
Criminal Investigations
We provide immediate legal representation during police investigations, whether voluntary attendance or under arrest. Our solicitors ensure proper police procedure, protect your rights during questioning, and maintain communication with investigating officers post-release. Legal Aid is automatically available at police stations, with competitive private rates for ongoing representation.
Court Proceedings
Our experienced advocates handle cases from magistrates' courts to Crown Court trials. We prepare detailed case strategies, challenge evidence, and provide courtroom representation. We assess Legal Aid eligibility while offering transparent private fee options, including fixed-fee arrangements where appropriate for court proceedings.
Football Banning Orders
We specialise in challenging football banning orders through criminal and civil proceedings. With expertise in precedent-setting cases, we advise on Legal Aid eligibility and represent clients seeking to vary or remove existing orders, ensuring proportionality in court decisions.
Motoring Law
Our specialists handle motoring offences including disqualifications and penalty points. While Legal Aid rarely applies, we offer competitive fixed fees and strategic advice to maintain driving licences, combining technical knowledge with practical client-focused solutions for road traffic cases.
Appeals
We assess appeal prospects against convictions or sentences, handling magistrates' court appeals to the Crown Court and higher appeals to the Court of Appeal. We also assist with Criminal Cases Review Commission applications, ensuring strict time limits are met and cases are properly prepared.
People
Chris Hallas
Partner
Admitted as a solicitor in 1987, Chris is a Crown Court Advocate with extensive experience across all criminal case types. He combines deep legal knowledge with practical advocacy to achieve optimal client outcomes at all judicial levels.
Peter Jones
Partner
Admitted in 1990, Peter has broad experience in criminal law and serves as CJH's Compliance Officer. His background includes legal advisory roles in magistrates' courts, ensuring regulatory adherence while representing clients in diverse criminal cases.
Jonathan Greenhill
Partner
Admitted in 2003, Jonathan specialises in police station representation and criminal investigations. His pre-solicitor experience as a police station representative informs his thorough approach to case preparation and client advocacy.
Stephen Cooper
Partner
A Crown Court Advocate since 1998, Stephen brings extensive trial experience to complex criminal cases. His advocacy skills and detailed case preparation consistently deliver strong client outcomes in challenging circumstances.
Barbara Johal
Office Manager
As Crown Court Clerk and Office Manager, Barbara ensures efficient case management and office operations. Her meticulous preparation of Crown Court cases and organisational expertise are vital to the firm's smooth functioning.
Questions
What areas of law does CJH Solicitors specialise in?
We specialise in criminal defence law including police investigations, court proceedings, football banning orders, motoring offences, and appeals.
Can I get Legal Aid for my criminal case?
Eligibility for Legal Aid depends on the case type and financial circumstances. We help clients assess eligibility and complete applications.
Do you offer emergency legal representation?
Yes, we provide immediate assistance for police station attendances and urgent criminal matters.
What are your private legal fees?
Our private rates are competitive. We offer fixed-fee options where possible and discuss costs transparently before work begins.
Are your solicitors qualified for court representation?
All our solicitors are SRA-registered Duty Solicitors qualified to represent clients in police stations and courts.
