Fighting for
people and justice
When charges have the power to destroy lives, you need people dedicated to your fearless defence. Ashmans is built on recognising the humanity behind the legal battle and fighting for it with recognised legal expertise.
Defence
Our History
Defending
since 2009
Since 2009 the Ashmans team has combined technically astute legal defence strategies and a specialist understanding of the law with a deep care for the people involved. Our mission has always been to fight for fairness, truth and the people behind the allegations.
We’ve built our reputation and achieved national recognition for the successful legal defence work we undertake for clients. Our criminal law solicitors are trusted not just by clients, but by barristers, accountants and fellow legal professionals who refer high-stakes cases to us.
Our Vision
Fierce and fearless defence. Unrivalled expertise. Real care
Our vision is to be the most trusted and effective criminal defence firm, delivering expert legal representation with integrity, compassion and relentless commitment to justice.
We’ve built our reputation on our success on behalf of clients, providing strategic guidance for some of the most complex cases – and plenty of straightforward ones too – to secure justice, and our clients’ futures.
Our Mission
Always
on your side
Our mission is to provide strategic, expert and compassionate legal defence for people and businesses facing criminal allegations.
As specialist criminal defence lawyers, clients have confidence they’re getting skilful legal representation from true experts in the field. We minimise adverse impacts, fight for justice, and safeguard our clients’ futures with precision, experience and care.
Our Purpose
Safeguarding
what Matters
Fighting for justice is what gets us out of bed. We know that facing criminal charges can be the most challenging time of your life. Standing between you and the consequences of conviction is what drives all the Ashmans team.
Combining our criminal legal expertise with a deep care for clients, we support you to navigate the complex and confounding system you’re thrown into when charged. We know that knowledge is power, so you’ll feel fully informed at every step.
Our Values
Trust. Integregity. Compassion
At our core, we believe criminal defence should be built on unwavering ethical principles. Our three defining values shape everything about how we operate.
Trust
We need to be trusted by clients at some of your most vulnerable moments. We build that trust through:
- Providing honest, strategic and straightforward legal advice when people need it most.
- Giving clear, transparent guidance, ensuring clients always understand our reasoning.
- Ensuring we’re externally validated – we’re proudly ranked in the Legal 500 and Lexcel accredited.
Integrity
High standards matter. We strive for legal excellence alongside ethical defence and demonstrate our integrity through:
- Hold ourselves to the highest professional standards – validated by SRA regulation.
- Defending with commitment but also fairness, never compromising on ethics.
- Building a reputation on credibility, trust and delivering real results.
Compassion
Behind every case is a person who deserves to be defended and supported. This is evident in:
- Our treatment of clients – with respect, dignity and empathy.
- Providing clear, reassuring guidance at every stage of the legal process.
- Our client-first approach. We listen, create strong strategies and support with the emotional as well as legal challenges.
Why choose Ashmans?
15+
years
Since our founding, we have successfully represented numerous clients, ensuring their voices are heard in the legal system.
10000+
cases handled
We’ve handled over 10,000+ criminal defence cases, demonstrating our deep expertise, strategic precision, and specialist ability to deliver results when it matters most.
85%
success rate
Securing acquittals, dismissals and reduced charges through our knowledge and experience.
Our Notable Cases
Serious charges, successful results
Our criminal defence lawyers have represented clients across a range of serious charges – see some examples of our work and the outcomes of our support.
Sentence Reduced in Historic Sexual Offences
Historic Sexual Abuse Allegations – Justice Secured
Unanimous Acquittal in Festival Consent Allegation
Credibility Challenged, Charges Reduced in Complex Domestic Case
Strategic Defence Secures Justice for Wrongly Accused Businessman
Revenge Attack Charge Reduced: Successful Defence
Conspiracy to Murder: A Complex Acquittal
Acquittal in High-Stakes Conspiracy to Murder Case
Acquittal in High-Profile Leeds Murder Investigation
Charges Reduced Through Strategic Defence
Wrongly Accused: Armed Robbery Charges Dismissed
Strategic Defence Secures Discontinuation in Fatal Collision Case
Exoneration in High-Stakes Armed Robbery Allegation
Dangerous Driving Allegation Involving Police Officer Successfully Reduced
Exceptional Hardship Defence Saves Doctor’s Driving Licence
Forged Titles and Negotiated Justice
Logistics Fraud Defence: Suspended Sentence Secured
Fraud by False Representation – Local Councillor Case
Conspiracy to Commit Fraud Involving Forged Cheques
Acquittal Secured in £40 Million Mortgage Fraud Case
Our trusted accreditations
Latest insights and updates
How Autism Can Affect Criminal Sentencing in the UK
Can Bite Mark Evidence Be Used in Criminal Trials in the UK?
Can a Getaway Driver Be Charged With Burglary in the UK?
Can Prisoners Attend Their Sentencing Hearing in the UK?
Can Psychological Harm to a Victim Increase a Criminal Sentence?
CPS Complex Casework Unit: How Serious Criminal Cases Are Prosecuted
Encouraging or Assisting Crime in the UK
GPS Tagging Offenders in the UK After Prison Release
Harbouring an Offender or Escapee in UK Law
Modern Slavery Defence in Criminal Cases
Modern Slavery Defence in Criminal Cases (Section 45 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015)
Prison Visit Rules UK: How to Visit Someone in Prison
The Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme: When a Sentence Can Be Increased by the Court of Appeal
Unduly Lenient Sentences in the UK: What the Law Says
What Are Your Rights If Arrested in the UK?
Aggravated Trespass During Protest in the UK
Flawed Identification Evidence in Criminal Cases
Judge Interference in Criminal Trials: When Can You Appeal an Unfair Trial?
Identical Witness Statements in Court: What They Mean in a Criminal Case