Business Details
30 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Specialist Criminal Defence Solicitors Manchester
Mortons Solicitors have been providing specialist legal services in serious crime and motoring offences since 1996. Founded by Stephen and Simon Morton, our firm has grown to become one of the North West's leading criminal defence practices, twice winning the prestigious Manchester Legal Awards' Crime Team of the Year. Our team of Solicitor-Advocates and accredited legal professionals offer 24/7 representation at police stations and courts across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and the North West. We combine decades of collective experience with a client-focused approach, delivering expert legal advice in plain English while maintaining discretion and professionalism. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated through our Legal Aid Agency contracts, Specialist Quality Mark accreditation, and consistent recognition in the Doyle's Guide for Criminal Lawyers. We pride ourselves on our ability to handle complex cases including murder, domestic violence, serious fraud and motoring offences, while maintaining a supportive and accessible service for all clients.
Services
Criminal Defence
Motoring Offences
Police Station Representation
Crown Court Advocacy
Legal Aid Cases
Served areas
- Stockport, Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Tameside, Macclesfield, Greater Manchester, East Cheshire
Details
- Year established: 1996
- Employees: 14
Highlights and features
- Criminal Defence
- Motoring Law
- Legal Aid
Associations and certifications
- Law Society
- CLSA
- Registered in England & Wales. Company No. 5012667
- Authorised & Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority
Payment methods
- Cash, Debit cards, Credit cards, Mobile payments, Checks
What people say
Expert knowledge
Supportive approach
Successful outcomes
24/7 availability
Clear communication
Services
Criminal Defence
Our specialist criminal defence team handles serious and high-profile cases including murder, domestic violence, and serious fraud. With Solicitor-Advocates holding Higher Court rights of audience, we provide expert legal representation from police station through to Crown Court trials. Our Legal Aid Agency contracts ensure accessible representation for imprisonable offences while maintaining the highest standards of advocacy and client care.
Motoring Offences
We defend clients facing motoring offences including drink driving, dangerous driving and totting up penalties. Our experienced solicitors provide representation at all stages of proceedings, with proven success in preventing disqualifications and minimising penalties. While Legal Aid isn't available for most motoring cases, we offer competitive hourly rates and fixed-fee options for straightforward matters.
Police Station Representation
Available 24/7, our accredited police station representatives provide immediate legal support during interviews under caution. Legal Aid covers these services regardless of financial circumstances, ensuring immediate access to expert advice. Our team accompanies clients through the investigation process, offering clear guidance and protecting their rights during critical early stages of any case.
Crown Court Advocacy
Our in-house Crown Court advocacy team specialises in complex criminal trials requiring specialist legal expertise. With four solicitors holding Higher Court rights of audience, we handle serious cases including sexual offences, drug conspiracies and violent crimes. We combine thorough case preparation with persuasive courtroom advocacy to achieve optimal outcomes for our clients.
Legal Aid Cases
We handle Legal Aid cases for imprisonable offences following means-testing through the Legal Aid Agency. Our team assists with applications and appeals against refusals, ensuring access to justice for eligible clients. While Legal Aid doesn't cover most motoring offences, we offer alternative funding arrangements including fixed-fee packages for predictable cost management.
People
Simon Morton
Managing Director
LL.B (Hons) Solicitor-Advocate with over 25 years' experience in criminal law. Recognised in the Doyle's Guide as a preeminent criminal lawyer in Manchester. Specialises in complex criminal defence cases and Crown Court advocacy.
Lisa Morton
Senior Solicitor
LL.B (Hons) solicitor with extensive experience in criminal defence and regulatory cases. Holds a five-star rating in the Good Lawyer Guide. Specialises in sexual offences and regulatory crime defence.
Steven McHugh
Solicitor
LL.B (Hons) solicitor with particular expertise in motoring offences and youth court cases. Demonstrated success in preventing driving disqualifications and representing young defendants.
Isabel San Jose
Solicitor
Experienced legal practitioner specialising in regulatory crime and professional disciplinary matters. Provides expert advice on compliance and defence strategies for regulatory investigations.
Questions
Do you offer 24/7 police station representation?
Yes, we provide immediate FREE legal representation at police stations 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Can I get Legal Aid for my case?
Legal Aid is available for imprisonable offences subject to means testing. We handle the application process and advise on eligibility.
What areas do you cover?
We operate across Greater Manchester, Cheshire and the North West, with court representation available nationwide.
How are your legal fees structured?
We offer hourly rates for private cases and fixed-fee options for straightforward matters. Detailed cost estimates provided upfront.
What specialisms do you have?
We specialise in serious criminal defence, motoring offences, sexual offences and regulatory crime cases with expert advocacy teams.
Have you won industry awards?
We've been twice awarded Crime Team of the Year at the Manchester Legal Awards in 2018 and 2020.
Reviews (5)
John Spooner
May 23, 2016
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Having been accused of an offence by my ex- I was recommended Mortons by a friend. I found Steven McHugh to be very helpful and really good on his feet. The ladies in the office were also good. Sorry I can't remember there names.
Stuart Jones
Dec 30, 2013
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I was driving along minding my own business when I got stopped by police and after an argument with the officer about my severe asthma he arrested me and took me to the police station. I asked to speak to my Solicitor immediately at the police station because I felt I was being manhandled but they wouldn't let me until I had blown on the box. The police asked me to blow into the machine and I tried and tried but couldn't give any more breath.
The officer warned me and when I failed again they charged me with failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis. I instructed Simon Morton because I knew he had a excellent reputation for dealing with these types of cases. We had a good meeting and I was re-assured that we had good grounds to fight this in court.
Simon instructed an expert who confirmed at the time I was stopped I could not have given that breath due to my health and as a result of both their hard work we won at Court. So relieved.
The officer warned me and when I failed again they charged me with failing to provide a specimen of breath for analysis. I instructed Simon Morton because I knew he had a excellent reputation for dealing with these types of cases. We had a good meeting and I was re-assured that we had good grounds to fight this in court.
Simon instructed an expert who confirmed at the time I was stopped I could not have given that breath due to my health and as a result of both their hard work we won at Court. So relieved.
Jamie Smith
May 14, 2012
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The police have raided my address on half a dozen occasions for non-existent stolen goods and other false allegations. The first couple of times I knew I hadn't done anything wrong, but the attitude of the police was such that on the last couple of occasions I asked for Morton's on the recommendation of a neighbour.
Simon Morton attended for me at the Police Station. He rightly gave the police a
good rollicking.
I was bailed after the interview. Simon chased the matter up before I was due to return to the police station, and no further action was taken so I didn't have to attend. I am thankful for his knowledge. His experience in dealing with these officers was very useful.
Simon Morton attended for me at the Police Station. He rightly gave the police a
good rollicking.
I was bailed after the interview. Simon chased the matter up before I was due to return to the police station, and no further action was taken so I didn't have to attend. I am thankful for his knowledge. His experience in dealing with these officers was very useful.
Alan Wilson
Apr 16, 2012
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Mortons were the best solicitors I ever had. They dealt with all my recent arrests and got me a great result last week. I tell all my family to use them.
Calum Ashmore
Feb 10, 2012
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I was remanded to custody for an offence that I hadn't done. I was stupid to not request a solicitor at the police station. I regretted that decision later. My family have used Mortons before and told me to ask for them at Court. Mortons took on my case. Immediately I felt better as they explained what the evidence was, the procedure and what was going to happen. I got bail thanks to Mark Shepherd at Mortons. The magistrates wanted conditions which were a bit ridiculous, he argued against the stupid ones and convinced them to bail me.