The Legal 500

Edward Hayes Solicitors and Advocates is based in central London and the south of England, with associate offices overseas providing strong international links. This prominent criminal practice handles complex fraud cases, business and white-collar crime, together with other serious and high-profile legal cases. Family law, personal injury, property and private client work are dealt with.

The firm: Founded as a general practice in 1961, the firm has developed into one of the largest specialist litigation practices in the country. It defends and represents businesses of all kinds, as well as individuals, throughout the country. The firm’s reputation is based on vigorous representation of clients and a commitment to careful and thorough preparation of cases.

The main central London flagship office in Fleet Street is close to the Royal Courts of Justice and at the heart of the legal world. This is supplemented by other main offices at the Guildhall (close to St Paul’s), Chichester, Bognor Regis and Worthing. The firm has strong associates in New York, Brisbane, Mumbai and Dubai. Nationwide, high-profile cases are routinely dealt with.

The firm is a member of the Specialist Fraud Panel, by virtue of its experience and expertise in dealing with substantial and complicated cases. It is also a member of the Solicitors Family Law Association, the Law Society’s family and children panels, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the European Criminal Bar Association.

The firm also has considerable experience and success in dealing with appeals and the Criminal Cases Review Commission. The firm has rocketed up the rankings and now features as one of the premier niche litigation practices within the country. Partners are regularly asked to speak at legal functions and the firm has built up an enviable reputation in some of the largest cases prosecuted in recent years.

Types of work undertaken: The firm has enormous expertise in fraud, money laundering, insider dealing, tax evasion, cartel offences, regulatory matters and a full range of other white-collar crimes, including proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act and extradition.

The practice now has a large number of Higher Court advocates and instructs only top barristers and QCs. Much of its work involves prosecutions brought by the Serious Fraud Office, Customs & Excise, the Financial Services Authority, the Ministry of Defence, National Crime Squad, and Special Casework Units of the Crown Prosecution Service. Expertise is offered in civil fraud and confiscation proceedings in the High Court.

The firm is experienced and offers first-class representation in dealing with regulatory issues involving City professionals, including lawyers, doctors, senior police officers, financiers, directors and officers and the military.

Companies Act and Company Directors Disqualification Act issues are also dealt with. Other matters handled include murder, large-scale drug importation, international internet crime, sexual offences, including historic matters and false allegations, confiscation issues and regulatory investigations.

The Chichester office also has particular expertise in firearms matters and appeals.

Lawyers are on hand 24 hours a day to attend clients held in police stations. The firm’s emergency contact number is: 0800 085 9684.

An experienced team of family lawyers is accustomed to dealing with all aspects of divorce and separation, including cases involving complex financial and international issues. Issues involving children are a particular specialism. All types of personal injury are dealt with, including road traffic cases.

Litigation services for private clients include landlord and tenant matters, employment law, consumer issues and contractual disputes. The specialist property department deals with commercial property and residential property transactions, secured lending and options. The specialist private client department, which includes one full member and one student member of STEP, deals with wills, probate and administration of estates, trust creation and administration, lasting powers of attorney, enduring powers of attorney, general powers of attorney, Court of Protection applications and general elderly client matters.

Edward Hayes LLP intends to strengthen its existing areas of expertise in the coming years, through a commitment to excellence.

Other offices: London, Worthing, East Wittering, Littlehampton, Horsham, Havant

Associated offices: New York, Mumbai, Brisbane, Dubai

Breakdown of work %
Crime 60
Family 15
Property 15
Civil/commercial 10

Number of UK partners 8
Number of other UK fee-earners 58