The crime, financial and regulatory practice at Hodge Jones & Allen is praised for boasting ‘some of the leading practitioners in criminal legal aid work’, in addition to its robust private client offering. The team is spearheaded by Raj Chada, who is considered a point of authority in litigation involving protestors and boasts some of the largest international organisations as part of his client base. Caroline Liggins focuses her practice on youth defendants and crime, and has experience advising on murder, drug conspiracy, and sexual offences matters. Laura O’Brien works with ’skill and determination’ as both an adviser and an advocate, particularly in complex national security cases.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team delivers a quality of care that is second-to-none. Always on top of the detail with abundant skill and enthusiasm at every level.'
- 'Raj Chada has been a warm, calming presence while simplifying complex procedures and jargon to someone naive to the legal system. His ability to understand complex models, while assembling the perfect team, requires a unique level of experience and foresight. Raj has a great perseverance and tremendous work ethic.'
- 'HJA have some of the leading practitioners in criminal legal aid work, especially in cases involving protest.'
- 'Laura O’Brien combines a passion and intelligence that is unique within the industry. Laura truly cares about her clients. Justice is her focus and she works with skill and determination to achieve the best result.'
- 'Hodge Jones and Allen are possibly the best firm of criminal solicitors conducting publicly funded work, and also offer an excellent service to privately funded clients. They have a large team that has continually prospered through recruiting excellent trainees and investing in people. It is notable that many of the leading individuals at high-profile firms specialising in private client work built their practices and reputations at HJA.'
- 'One of the best legal aid firms in the country. Very high-quality solicitors with dedicated paralegals and trainees.'
Key clients
- Hallam and others
- Trudi Warner
- Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, Zahra Farooque
- Greenpeace [Rishi Sunak]
- Greenpeace – Unilever
- Chiara Sarti
- Anna Holland /Phoebe Plummer
- Palestine action [Hanin Barghouthi and others]
- Undercover Police Inquiry and Appeals
- Dominic Whitton
- Hanin Barghouthi
- Durrell Goodall, Reano Walters and Nathianal Williams
Work highlights
Advising Trudi Warner on a ground contempt case in the High Court; Highlighted the principle of “jury equity” where a jury can acquit on grounds of conscience, and found that a protester with a placard reiterating this outside court was not in contempt.
Advising Hallam and others in a conjoined appeal of four sets of Just Stop Oil protestors, and an appeal as to whether courts need to take into account “conscientious motivation” of defendants in deciding sentence.
Acting for Anu Bhupathiarju, a nurse accused of manslaughter by gross negligence of a child in her care. A child with complex needs who died when it is alleged that AB failed to monitor the child appropriately.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Raj Chada
Other key lawyers
Caroline Liggins; Laura O'Brien