Criminal Court Lawyers Glasgow, Scotland

Livingstone Brown is a leading firm of Scottish solicitors, with an unparalleled reputation in all types of criminal work.  The Criminal Litigation Practice Unit comprises a large team of specialist criminal defence lawyers, at various levels of experience.
 
In many instances, the firm’s work begins with a detention: a client being taken into police custody, often for interview.  Solicitors provide initial advice to clients, whether by phone or in person, before attending for the interview itself.  For many clients, police stations are uncomfortable, alien places, and interviews can be extremely stressful.  Having good quality advice and robust support from a solicitor can be crucial.

Our team provides a high quality service from the start of a criminal investigation to its satisfactory conclusion.  We explain and guide clients through the initial stages of an enquiry and prosecution, and professionally represent them at all stages of the criminal court process. Where necessary, we can call on in-house solicitor-advocates (who have the right to appear in the High Court of Justiciary, the Criminal Appeal Court and the UK Supreme Court) and a strong network of external counsel.  We also have access to a comprehensive range of recognised expert witnesses. 

Contact our criminal defence solicitors for Glasgow, Scotland

 The firm offers both legal aid and competitive private charging arrangements.  Criminal allegations often have a major impact on the accused person’s life, and it is essential to get strong and effective representation.  Whether the client is a company director facing a fraud allegation, or a young person facing a disorder charge after a football match, we guarantee the best possible service and support.
 
We are one of the country’s largest criminal defence firms for a reason.  To find out more, contact our team on 0141 429 8166 or by completing our online contact form. 

Fatal Accident Inquiry Solicitors Glasgow, Scotland

Fatal accident inquiries (FAIs) must take place when someone dies at work, in custody and in certain other circumstances.  The purpose is to work out the cause of death, and to see if lessons can be learned for the future.

Even where an FAI is not mandatory, the Procurator Fiscal can decide that one should take place, usually where there is a wider public interest.

FAIs can be very distressing processes for family members, or for those who are otherwise affected, such as professionals whose judgement has been called into question.  The implications can be considerable for all concerned. 

Anyone with an interest in an inquiry can be represented.  Our team has experience in investigating and conducting FAIs across Scotland.  We routinely help clients understand the process, and often work to persuade the Fiscal that an inquiry should take place.  Once an FAI has been fixed, we are fully involved in determining what evidence should be led, and putting the client’s case across.  This might involve arguing that the cause of death was different from that suggested by the authorities, or persuading the court that a particular measure would have prevented the death from happening. 

Our lawyers are also able to call upon support from other departments within the firm: our Criminal Litigation solicitors can advise on possible criminal implications from particular findings, and our Reparation team can indicate whether there are grounds to bring civil litigation.

We also assist clients, whether as witnesses or core participants, in public inquiries.  Public inquiries are fixed by Government in matters of particular public interest – for example to investigate the outbreak of a particular infection at a hospital, or to examine the circumstances surrounding a major accident.  Public inquiries take a different form to FAIs.  Often chaired by a retired judge or other senior lawyer, they follow specific terms of reference.

Public funding may be available for core participants (those who have an interest in the matter as a whole, and who are entitled to be represented in the inquiry) and witnesses (particularly those who face some criticism).  Our work involves fully investigating the case and key issues, preparing evidential submissions, calling on expert witnesses where appropriate, and representation at the inquiry itself.  We can also call upon the firm’s civil litigation experts for advice on wider implications. 

Contact our fatal accident inquiry solicitors for Glasgow, Scotland

For more information on how our team can help you, call us on 0141 429 8166 or by completing our online contact form.

Criminal Investigations

Our Specialist Litigation Team is regularly instructed to assist bereaved individuals and families seeking answers to unanswered questions following criminal investigations into the death of loved ones.

Representing bereaved families

We are proud of our record supporting families who have lost a loved one, often in traumatic and disputed circumstances. Our Specialist Litigation Team often liaises with the authorities to secure new or renewed investigations into suspicious deaths, ensuring that serious questions are properly examined, that families are heard, and that the loved one is treated with dignity and respect.

We can assist with:

• Making formal, targeted representations to Police Scotland or to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service to request the review or reopening of lines of inquiry and facilitating meetings with key figures such as the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs or the Lord Advocate.
• Engaging with the Police Investigation and Review Commissioner to review police conduct or the thoroughness of earlier inquiries.
• Identifying and presenting new evidence through the commissioning of independent specialists (forensic pathology, digital forensics, scene reconstruction, toxicology) to test or augment existing evidence.
• Making arguments based on the European Convention of Human Rights to ensure the investigation meets the requirements of independence, effectiveness, timeliness, and engagement with the next of kin.
• Seeking to judicially review decisions not to investigate (or to close an investigation), where these are capable of legal challenge.
• Facilitating press communication to raise awareness of the family’s campaign.

Throughout our instruction, we work in a trauma-informed and confidential manner.

We understand that families need clear information, practical options, and steady support - not legal jargon.

Contact our Specialist Litigation Team

If you are a bereaved family seeking answers, contact our Specialist Litigation Team on 0141 429 8166 or by completing our online contact form.