Business Details
Emergency
services
Trusted Criminal Defence Solicitors in Sheffield
Favell Smith & Lawson is an award-winning criminal defence firm with a combined 100 years of experience across its team of five dedicated advocates. Recognised as Yorkshire's Criminal Defence Team of the Year 2023/24 and winners of the Local Law Society Team of the Year award for three consecutive years, we specialise in handling cases ranging from minor offences to high-profile murder trials. Our approach combines deep legal expertise with a personal touch, ensuring each client receives tailored representation from initial police station attendance through to Crown Court litigation.With a proven track record in securing acquittals and reduced sentences, we maintain strong relationships with leading barristers while offering direct advocacy services through our in-house solicitor advocates. Our commitment to legal aid cases underscores our dedication to accessible justice, complemented by privately funded services for complex matters requiring specialist defence strategies.
Services
Crown Court Representation
Magistrates Court Cases
Police Station Assistance
Road Traffic Offences
Notable Case Defence
Highlights and features
- Team of 5 award-winning criminal defence advocates with 100+ years combined experience
- Maintain strong relationships with leading barristers for complex case requirements
- Three-time Local Law Society Team of the Year award winners (2022-2024)
- Offer both legal aid and privately funded representation options
- Provide 24/7 police station coverage across South Yorkshire
Associations and certifications
- Legal Aid Agency
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
- Local Law Society
- Yorkshire Law Awards
What people say
Award-winning expertise
Personalised legal approach
Successful acquittals
24/7 police availability
Experienced solicitor advocates
Services
Crown Court Representation
Our experienced solicitor advocates and barrister networks provide robust defence in serious criminal cases. Specialising in murder, fraud, and sexual offences, we prepare comprehensive case strategies from evidence review to trial representation. Clients benefit from our proven track record in complex litigation and our ability to instruct trusted counsel while maintaining case oversight throughout proceedings.
Magistrates Court Cases
Handling all magistrates' court matters including initial hearings and sentencing. Our team advises on venue selection between magistrates' and crown courts while managing legal aid applications. We provide fixed-fee structures for transparency, with experienced advocates negotiating reduced sentences or alternative penalties through effective mitigation strategies.
Police Station Assistance
Available 24/7 for police station attendance, our solicitors advise during interviews under caution and voluntary appointments. We review disclosure materials immediately, provide real-time legal guidance, and ensure proper procedural safeguards. This early intervention often prevents charges or shapes favourable case outcomes through strategic pre-charge representations.
Road Traffic Offences
Specialist representation for motoring offences including disqualification cases and exceptional hardship claims. We handle drink driving, dangerous driving, and special reasons arguments with experienced advocates. Our fixed-fee packages cover court preparation and representation, while mileage charges apply for regional court attendances beyond Sheffield.
Notable Case Defence
Proven expertise in complex, high-value cases including county lines drug conspiracies and encrochat-related matters. Our team manages media-sensitive cases with discretion while employing innovative defence strategies. Recent successes include acquittals in stranger rape trials and securing suspended sentences for serious violent offences through detailed case preparation.
People
David Lawson
Director
Qualified solicitor since 1979 with 45 years' experience in criminal defence. Specialises in police station representation and magistrates' court cases while overseeing crown court matters. Recognised for maintaining high professional standards and client care throughout his career at Favell Smith & Lawson.
Tim Gaubert
Director
Director since 2001 with 25+ years' criminal defence experience. Specialises in complex drug conspiracies and serious sexual offences. Recognised as leading counsel on the North Eastern Circuit with notable success in high-profile cases including baby shaking trials and murder prosecutions.
Mark Dooley
Solicitor Advocate
Higher Courts Advocate with 10+ years' experience handling serious crime and road traffic matters. Specialises in crown court litigation and prison law, including parole hearings for high-profile inmates. Listed on the 2024 Law Society Pro Bono Recognition List for exceptional client service.
Mohammed Zulfiqar
Solicitor
Recent addition to the team with criminal law expertise developed after transitioning from personal injury practice. Qualified duty solicitor providing police station and magistrates' court representation. Builds strong client relationships through his calm, methodical approach to case management.
Saleh Alnoud
Duty Solicitor
Experienced advocate with immigration law expertise, providing comprehensive police station and magistrates' court services. Combines down-to-earth approach with technical knowledge, having worked alongside senior team members for a decade across multiple criminal defence firms in South Yorkshire.
Questions
What areas of criminal law do you specialise in?
We handle all criminal defence matters from minor offences to serious charges including murder, rape, fraud, drug conspiracies, and road traffic offences. Our team has particular expertise in both police station representation and crown court litigation.
Can I get legal aid for my case?
Legal aid eligibility depends on income and case type. We handle legal aid applications for magistrates' court matters with income thresholds applying. Crown court legal aid requires lower income levels, though we also offer competitive private payment options for complex cases.
How quickly can you attend police station interviews?
Our solicitors attend South Yorkshire police stations within 30 minutes of request, available 24/7. We provide immediate legal advice during interviews under caution and manage disclosure materials to shape early case strategy.
What are your costs for crown court cases?
Crown court fees depend on case complexity, offence type, and location. We provide bespoke cost estimates after reviewing case details. Our experienced solicitor advocates can represent clients directly or coordinate barrister instruction as required.
How do you handle high-profile or complex cases?
Our team manages media-sensitive cases with discretion, employing innovative defence strategies developed through decades of experience. We maintain relationships with leading experts and counsel to ensure comprehensive representation in complex matters requiring specialist input.
What makes your firm different from larger practices?
We combine award-winning expertise with personal service, maintaining small team accessibility while handling complex cases typically managed by larger firms. Clients receive continuous representation from experienced solicitor advocates throughout all legal proceedings.
