Areas of Expertise
Serious Violence
Immediate, strategic representation in serious violence cases. Allegations carry significant consequences — immediate custody risk, strict bail conditions, and long-term impact on record and livelihood.
Why timing decides outcome
Specialist Defence in Serious Violence Cases
Serious violence allegations are fact-sensitive and often turn on early decisions. What is said in interview, how evidence is interpreted, and whether key issues are addressed at the outset can determine the outcome.
Chess Law Solicitors acts in a wide range of serious violence cases, including allegations involving grievous bodily harm, wounding with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, violent disorder, affray, and offences involving weapons.
Our approach is consistent throughout: early intervention, careful analysis of the evidence, and a defence strategy built from the outset.
Our services
Our Serious Violence Defence Services
We are instructed at every stage of proceedings, from police station attendance and pre-charge advice through to Crown Court trial and appeal.
- Immediate police station attendance and pre-charge advice
- Wounding and assault occasioning actual bodily harm
- Offences involving weapons — knives, bladed articles and offensive weapons
- Joint enterprise and group violence allegations
- Instruction of medical and forensic experts to challenge injury interpretation
- Grievous bodily harm — with and without intent (s.18 and s.20)
- Violent disorder and affray
- Self-defence and reasonable force arguments
- CCTV, identification and witness reliability challenge
- Appeals against conviction and sentence
Why Chess Law
Why Choose Chess Law Solicitors
Early intervention, before positions are fixed
Self-defence properly developed
Expert input where it changes the case
Joint enterprise allegations tested closely
One strategy from interview to trial
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a serious violence offence?
Serious violence offences include allegations such as grievous bodily harm (with or without intent), wounding, violent disorder, and offences involving weapons. The seriousness depends on the level of injury, intent, and surrounding circumstances.
Can I claim self-defence?
Yes. Self-defence may apply where you used reasonable force to protect yourself or another. Whether the force used was reasonable is assessed in light of the circumstances as you believed them to be at the time. This is often a central issue in serious violence cases.
What happens after arrest for a violent offence?
You will be taken to a police station, where you have the right to legal advice before and during any interview. It is essential that you do not answer questions without proper advice. Our 24 Hour Police Station Solicitors can attend immediately to protect your position.
Will I go to prison if convicted?
Serious violence offences can carry custodial sentences, particularly where significant injury or intent is alleged. The sentence will depend on the specific offence, the level of harm, and any aggravating or mitigating factors. We advise on sentencing at an early stage.
Can CCTV evidence be challenged?
Yes. CCTV evidence must be reliable and properly interpreted. We examine the quality of the footage, the context in which it was obtained, and whether it supports the prosecution’s case.
Do I need a specialist solicitor?
Yes. Serious violence cases require careful preparation, analysis of evidence, and clear strategy. Specialist representation ensures that your case is properly handled at every stage.
Speak to us now.
If you are under investigation for a serious violence offence, have been arrested, or have been charged, contact Chess Law Solicitors immediately. Early advice is critical.
