Criminal Defense · London
Top Criminal Defense Lawyers in London
Criminal defense lawyers represent people under investigation or charged with offences, from traffic and misdemeanour matters to serious felonies. This list compares 8 criminal defense lawyers practising in London on verified licences, years in this area, focus and sourced reputation.
- Updated 19 Oct 2026
- Ranking v1.0.0
- How we rank
- lawyers considered
- 8
- 3 verified licences
- 38%
- average years in practice
- 17
The ranking
Score out of 100- 1
James Moreau
VerifiedSenior Associate
Prescott Law Group17 yrs in practice3.4(15)Criminal DefenseEstate PlanningReal EstateSpeaks English, Hindi
- 2
Olivia A. Kaplan
Out of datePartner
Thorne & Quill LLP18 yrs in practice3.7(10)Criminal DefenseDivorceSpeaks English, Urdu
- 3
Laura Delgado
Out of dateAssociate
Calder & Marlow LLP30 yrs in practice3.8(8)Criminal DefenseDivorceEmploymentSpeaks English, Urdu
- 4
Laura Vasquez
VerifiedPrincipal Lawyer
27 yrs in practice4.5(3)Personal InjuryCriminal DefenseDivorceSpeaks English, Polish
- 5
Andre Zielinski
PendingFounding Attorney
Thorne & Quill LLP35 yrs in practice3.3(5)Criminal DefenseEmploymentImmigration - 6
Julia Kearney
VerifiedOf Counsel
Thorne & Quill LLP17 yrs in practice4.2(6)Personal InjuryCriminal DefenseEmployment+1 moreSpeaks English, German
- 7
- 8
Anika K. Yilmaz
PendingSenior Associate
Thorne & Quill LLP31 yrs in practice4.0(26)DivorceCriminal DefenseFamilySpeaks English, Polish
How we rank
Each lawyer gets nine component scores from 0 to 100. The bar shows how many of the 100 available points each component contributed. Weights are fixed for every lawyer in this list and published in full; payment plays no part.
Expertise50%
- Credentials20%
- Relevant experience15%
- Specialization15%
Standing35%
- Verified reputation15%
- Professional recognition10%
- Relevant track record10%
Service & data15%
- Client experience5%
- Profile & data quality5%
- Data freshness5%
London legal resources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
Check a solicitor is regulated.
- The Law Society
Find a solicitor directory.
Choosing a criminal defense lawyer
Experience in the specific court and with the specific type of charge matters. Ask whether the lawyer has handled trials, not only plea negotiations, and whether they previously worked as a prosecutor or public defender. Contact a lawyer before speaking to investigators.
Frequently asked questions
Should I talk to the police without a lawyer?
You generally have the right to remain silent and to have a lawyer present. It is usually wise to speak to a criminal defense lawyer before giving any statement.
What if I cannot afford a lawyer?
If you are charged with an offence that can lead to imprisonment, you may be entitled to a public defender or legal aid. Ask the court about eligibility.