Eric Robinson solicitors can provide effective advice and support, from the moment you are arrested at the Police Station until your case is concluded.

We believe strongly in communication between solicitor and client. The more we know about your case, the better we can help you. And, the more you understand about what’s going on, the more you can help us to put across a convincing case.

It’s important to contact us as early as possible. We might be able to intervene before charges are brought. And we can certainly help to present your case in a way that’s fairest to you, so that any potential penalties can be kept to a minimum.

Prison law

Prisoners have rights, too – but prison law can be a daunting and specialised field, so it’s important to have expert advice. These are some of the areas where we can help:-

• Appeals. If granted leave to appeal your conviction, we can help you prepare a case for the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) or make an application to the Criminal Cases Review Commission
• Re-categorisation . The type of prison you are sent to will depend on how you are categorised. Categories range from A (highest security) to D (open prisons with much reduced security). Categorisation is normally reviewed by the Governor on an annual basis. We can help you to prepare a case for re-categorisation – or challenge an unfavourable review.
• Transfers . There is no legal right to transfer, but the Prison Service has a policy of making contact between a prisoner and his/her family as easy as possible. The prison also has an obligation to keep prisoners safe, which may include a transfer in case of bullying.
• Parole . Fixed sentence prisoners can be considered for parole at the halfway point of their sentence. We can help to prepare written representations to the Parole Board, once a dossier has been prepared.
• Adjudications . These are related to disciplinary issues within a prison or YOI. If held before the Governor, we can provide written (or, in exceptional circumstances, personal) representation. If the case is referred to an independent adjudicator, we can provide free and expert adjudication, under the Advocacy Assistance Scheme.
• Judicial Review . An administrative decision (such as an adjudication by a Prison Governor) can be challenged in the High Court on three grounds: illegality, irrationality or procedural impropriety. If you believe a decision has been made unfairly or improperly in your case, we can advise you if you have grounds for a judicial review.
• Tariff Representations. The Criminal Justice Act 2003 means that mandatory life sentenced prisoners whose tariff was set by the Secretary of State are now entitled to apply to the High Court for a review of the minimum term they must serve before being considered for Parole. We can help with the preparation of representations to the High Court.
• Lifer Panels . Life sentence prisoners are entitled to have their sentence reviewed by the parole board when their tariff expires. We can represent prisoners at mandatory, discretionary and automatic lifer panels – this representation is free of charge, under the Advocacy Assistance Scheme.
• Recall. Prisoners who are released on licence after serving part of their sentence must abide by certain conditions. If one or more of these conditions is breached, the prisoner can be recalled. We can help you to challenge a recall in writing – or with representation before the Parole Board.
• Public Funding. There are a number of types of public funding available. Where general written advice representation is required, the Legal Services Commission makes provision for Advice and Assistance under the Criminal Defence Contract. They also offer Advocacy Assistance for hearings before Independent Adjudicators and the Parole Board. Civil legal aid is also available for Judicial Review.