The Legal 500

Noble Solicitors is one of the largest criminal defence practice in the country, with expertise ranging from motoring offences to high-profile fraud and murder. Expertise also includes family and childcare matters, civil and commercial litigation, housing, debt and social welfare benefits cases and community care.

The firm: Noble Solicitors was established in 1996 by Paul Millan and David Noble and has grown to become a successful practice ranked as one of the top five publicly funded criminal defence firms, paid through the Criminal Defence Service and the Community Legal Service, as published by the Ministry of Justice. It is also a leading firm in privately funded work. It is renowned for having one of the best defence teams in the Home Counties. Its expansion has taken place as a result of the high-quality work carried out locally and nationally as well as increasing experience of international work. In April 2011 the firm merged with Tank Jowett. Its expertise covers the length and breadth of the country, with more than 130 staff. Prominent clients include Daewoo Securities, Peter Hill Surveyors, the Sports Dispute Resolution Panel, the Welsh Swimming Association and the British Association for Sports Lawyers.

The firm is a member of the VHCC panel, Serious Fraud panel, and Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates (SACHA) as well as an accredited Law Society panel member in family, childcare and mental health. It is a member of the Institute of Prison Law and holds the Law Society Lexcel Practice Management standard.

Types of work undertaken: The firm handles cases in all courts from Magistrates and Youth Courts through to the Crown Court, Court of Appeal, tribunals and hearings, including the County Court for civil matters and judicial review. The Magistrates team provides support and guidance in all stages of a case from arrest and detention including defence at hearings. The Crown Court and Complex Crime team defends clients in a range of serious matters including murder, rape, fraud, money laundering and other white-collar crime, with specialist expertise in dealing with the large volumes of material associated with such crimes. Whether or not the firm dealt with an original case, it is also dedicated to handling cases heard by the Court of Appeal. In addition the practice provides a prison law department in order to offer further help if a client is sentenced.

The business crime team handles all areas of regulatory law, sports law, health and safety matters, trading standards, environmental protection and licensing.

The firm’s family and childcare solicitors have wide experience in dealing with family disputes whether relating to divorce and separation, child care, civil partnership or cohabitation. The housing, debt and welfare benefits team assists landlords and tenants with advice and representation including in possession proceedings and other housing matters at the County Court. It is able to negotiate with creditors to challenge or reschedule payments, advising on all the options available, including whether an Individual Voluntary Agreement (IVA) or bankruptcy is right for the client. The mental health team has specialist expertise to handle difficult cases that require considerable understanding and is proud to defend any client. Assistance is given to detained patients as well as informal and voluntary patients and to clients who have come to hospital on a hospital order from either a court or a prison, or whether they are in the community or on a treatment order. The firm can also help relatives or concerned friends of anyone who is affected by mental health law.

Civil actions include private law claims against public authorities where there is serious wrongdoing or abuse of power or significant breach of human rights. Litigation services include general matters, general negligence, professional negligence, commercial disputes, dispute resolution, enforcement agreements and injunctions. Insolvency, winding-up and bankruptcy and litigation matters abroad are also handled.

Noble Solicitors intends to diversify into more corporate client work and build an international profile.

Other offices: London (2), Luton (3), Northampton, Shefford, Watford (2), Wellingborough.

Breakdown of work %
Crime and regulatory 65
Civil litigation 20
Family and childcare 15

Number of UK partners 6
Number of other UK fee-earners 124