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Criminal Conspiracy Defence Solicitors

A criminal conspiracy allegation is not simply about who you know or who you have been in contact with. The prosecution must prove that you agreed with at least one other person to pursue a course of conduct that would amount to, or involve, a criminal offence.

That makes the alleged agreement central to the case. Our Solicitors will examine what the prosecution says was agreed, who was allegedly involved and whether messages, calls, meetings, financial records or other evidence genuinely establish your knowledge and intention. We will also separate your individual conduct from the actions attributed to other defendants.

Draycott Browne has more than 25 years of experience defending serious criminal allegations and is ranked by Chambers UK for Crime. Our team also includes solicitors accredited under the Law Society’s Criminal Litigation Accreditation scheme, providing experienced representation in complex, multi-defendant cases.

If you have been arrested, invited to a police interview or charged with conspiracy, contact our criminal defence team for confidential advice.

How can our conspiracy solicitors help? 

Conspiracy charges are governed by the Criminal Law Act of 1977, a complex and convoluted area of law that can be navigated by only the best criminal lawyers.

As soon as you engage Draycott Browne's Conspiracy Solicitors, we will begin to work on mounting a persuasive defence that will help you secure the most favourable outcome for your circumstances.

Using our vast wealth of knowledge, skill, and experience, we will cross-analyse the material held by the prosecution, searching for weaknesses and illegalities, and mount a persuasive counterstrategy in your defence. We will also search for evidence which will directly undermine the prosecution's contentions.

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Criminal Defence Expertise for Serious Crime Offences

Our Criminal Conspiracy Defence Team

Shaun Draycott

Shaun Draycott

Managing Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Rob Mann

Rob Mann

Director & Serious Crime Solicitor
Venessa Schweitzer

Venessa Schweitzer

Consultant Litigator
Caitlin Cardwell

Caitlin Cardwell

Crown Court Litigator
Meet the Team

What is a criminal conspiracy offence?

A criminal conspiracy is an agreement where two or more people agree to carry out a criminal act. Criminal conspiracy offences are somewhat unique in that they relate to the planning of a crime rather than to the crime itself. Under the Criminal Law Act 1977, the very act of agreeing to the crime is the criminal act when it comes to conspiracy cases.

Criminal conspiracy charges are extremely serious charges; people who were involved in the planning of a crime but not the carrying out of it can be subject to the same punishment as the physical perpetrators. Furthermore, conspiracy is an indictable only offence that is governed by a highly complex piece of law that only the most experienced lawyers can be trusted to navigate successfully. 

What is an indictable only offence?

In the UK, an indictable only offence is one which must be tried by indictment (in other words, by jury) in the Crown Court. Most are indictable only, meaning those accused of them must be tried in court. Such crimes carry potentially high sentences, which means a Conspiracy Solicitors expertise is required to pursue a favourable outcome.

In limited circumstances, a person may be charged with conspiring to commit a summary offence, if specific legislation allows for it. This can be rare but can arise in certain situations, such as those affecting public safety or the administration of justice.

What type of criminal conspiracy offence could I be charged with?

Have you been arrested and released for conspiring to commit drugs offences? Are you under investigation for conspiracy to commit robbery? Have you been asked to speak to the police regarding a charge of conspiracy to defraud someone?

There are many types of criminal conspiracy offences, some of which include:

Conspiracy to defraud

Conspiracy to defraud involves conspiring with another to dishonestly defraud them of something. Conspiracy to defraud is different from most statutory conspiracy offences because it remains an offence at common law. Section 5(2) of the Criminal Law Act 1977 expressly preserved the common-law offence of conspiracy to defraud.

In recent years, courts have increasingly dealt with complex fraud schemes involving digital fraud and sophisticated financial conspiracies. These schemes often include the use of online platforms and other fraudulent digital activities designed to deceive individuals or businesses and steal financial assets.

Conspiracy to commit robbery

Robbery involves stealing while using force, or putting or seeking to put a person in fear of force, in order to steal. A conspiracy to commit robbery requires evidence of an agreement between two or more people to pursue a course of conduct involving the commission of robbery. It is the agreement and the necessary intention behind it, rather than simply providing assistance to another person, that establishes the conspiracy.

Conspiracy to commit burglary

Burglary offences involve entering a building without permission to steal property, commit unlawful damage, or inflict GBH on an individual. To be charged, you must be suspected of either helping to plan the crime or of helping the criminals.

Conspiracy to rape

Conspiracy to commit rape arises where two or more people agree on a course of conduct that would involve the commission of rape. The prosecution must prove the existence of that agreement and the necessary intention. Simply assisting another person does not automatically establish conspiracy, although the conduct may potentially give rise to other forms of criminal liability depending on the circumstances.

If found guilty of conspiracy to rape, those involved can expect to receive a sentence spanning from tens of years to life imprisonment. Due to the severity of the charge and its potential punitive repercussions, it is imperative that a defence counsel is sought as soon as possible, and that you enact your legal right of engaging an expert Conspiracy Solicitor before you participate in any interviews with the police.

Conspiracy to murder

This relates to the crime of planning with others to kill a person, or have a person killed. It is not a crime based on killing a person. This is a serious crime that carries a hefty prison sentence. In most cases, those found guilty of conspiring to commit murder are handed similar sentences to those responsible for physically carrying out the murder, with many convicted conspirators being handed life sentences.

Even if the person is not killed, the very fact that a plan was put into place means that the crime has been committed. In most cases that have been tried, the planner's aim was to pay another person to commit a murder on their behalf, but people have also been convicted for providing weapons to the murderer that they knew would be used in the killing or providing vehicles to transport the murderer and/or the victim.

Conspiracy to pervert the course of justice

Conspiring with someone else to pervert the course of justice in a criminal case is a serious crime that carries a high penalty. Perverting the course of justice could involve asking someone to lie about what happened during the crime, prepare a fake alibi for someone who was directly involved in the crime, or enlisting people to threaten witnesses, the jury or the judge. More recently the impact of technology and social media has expanded the scope of this. You do not have to carry out the acts of perjury, the act of making an agreement to carry out the acts is the crime.

All types of criminal conspiracy offences are extremely serious and carry potentially lengthy sentences. In all cases, the help of a defence lawyer will be required to achieve a favourable outcome. If you or someone you know is facing charges related to this matter, contact our Conspiracy Solicitors immediately for expert legal advice and dedicated representation to ensure the best possible outcome for your situation.

What should I do if I am arrested on suspicion of a criminal conspiracy offence?

If you are arrested, you will likely be interviewed by the police. It may be that before you are formally arrested you are asked to come in for a voluntary ‘chat’. It is vitally important that you enact your right to seek legal counsel and refrain from being interviewed – formally or informally - until you have engaged a lawyer, and he or she is present with you. In the UK, all people being held in a police station are entitled to a free defence for the duration of their stay. Simply ask the police to call a solicitor of your choice, such as one of our team.

The police conducting the interview will be intent on charging you with the offence; they will create a highly pressurised interrogation environment and employ questioning techniques designed to confuse you, tire you, and make you feel uncomfortable. It is highly possible that without proper guidance, the stress of the situation could cause you to inadvertently incriminate yourself.

It is important to remember that speaking to a solicitor prior to an interview does not make you look guilty; it is your right to receive legal help. Your solicitor will have the experience, skill, and professionalism to guide you through the initial interview and beyond. If you have been arrested, it is crucial that you contact Draycott Browne's expert Conspiracy Solicitors. We will guide you through every step of the process and work on building the most robust defence strategy, focused on minimising the impact this has on your life.

How is a conspiracy case proven?

Conspiracy is a difficult crime for the Prosecution to prove. They must convince the jury, beyond reasonable doubt, that the person they have accused knowingly engaged in conspiring to commit a crime. In a world where conspirators rarely leave signed notes confirming their participation, a successful prosecution will typically hinge on the amalgamation of various pieces of evidence, including phone records, witness statements, and physical evidence such as fingerprints, DNA and more.

Specialist Criminal Conspiracy Solicitors

  • 24/7 Availability
  • Proven Success in High Profile Cases
  • Non-Judgemental Representation Tailored to Your Situation

Protect your future with trusted, expert legal defence—contact Draycott Browne’s Criminal Conspiracy Defence Lawyers today.

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Our legal team is available 7 days a week

What will happen to my phone if I am arrested?

Given the importance of mobile phones in determining the guilt (or lack thereof) of suspects, your phone will usually be seized by the police in the event of your arrest. Investigations of this level heavily rely on digital evidence and now routinely examine not only phone records but also social media activity, encrypted messaging services, cloud storage data and location tracking to build their case.

The police do not always need a search warrant to seize a mobile phone. Under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, officers have powers to seize property in a number of circumstances, including following an arrest and while lawfully searching premises, where the statutory requirements are met.

Whether the police are entitled to seize, retain or examine a device will depend on the power being exercised and the circumstances of the investigation. If there is concern that a phone or other digital device has been seized or searched unlawfully, your solicitor can examine the legal basis for the seizure and consider whether it can be challenged.

What is the sentence if you are found guilty of a criminal conspiracy offence?

The sentence given to those found guilty of criminal conspiracy offences depends on many factors, including:

 

  • The type of criminal offence they have been charged with.
  • The extent of their involvement in the crime.
  • Whether the person was aware they were being involved in the crime.
  • Whether the person was being intimidated or coerced in some way.
  • In some cases, whether the crime went ahead.

Under section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1977, the maximum sentence for a statutory conspiracy is generally linked to the maximum penalty available for the offence that was the object of the conspiracy. This means the sentencing exposure can vary significantly depending on the underlying offence, with conspiracies involving the most serious crimes potentially carrying a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The sentence imposed in an individual case will depend on factors including the defendant’s role, culpability, the seriousness of the intended offence and the applicable sentencing guidelines.

What is mitigation?

In criminal law, a mitigating factor is any circumstance which can be presented to the court to potentially reduce the sentence given to the defendant. Our Conspiracy Solicitors will work with you to build a case for mitigation that will hopefully result in a more positive outcome.

The Sentencing Council guidelines are regularly updated and play a crucial role in how offences are sentenced. These guidelines outline specific factors that courts consider when determining the severity of the sentence. Some of the key factors include:

 

  • The level of involvement
  • If the defendant was coerced or pressured
  • The intention and awareness
  • The success of failure of the crime
  • Any previous criminal convictions
  • If the defendant assisted law enforcement with the investigation

At Draycott Browne, our Conspiracy Solicitors are experts in thoroughly investigating your case. We analyse past rulings, sentencing guidelines, and case law to highlight key differences in your situation. By presenting strong mitigating factors, character references, and evidence of lesser involvement, we will petition the court for leniency where appropriate, ensuring every possible avenue is explored to secure the best outcome for you.

Funding your defence

Legal advice and representation at the police station are free. If you are charged, Legal Aid may also be available depending on your financial circumstances and the nature of the proceedings.

Private funding can provide greater scope to analyse the evidence in detail, reconstruct the chronology of events and separate your alleged involvement from that of others. It may also allow additional time for reviewing extensive disclosure, instructing appropriate experts and pursuing further defence enquiries where the prosecution case depends on inference rather than direct evidence of an agreement.

Our Solicitors will explain the likely preparation required and the funding options available, so you understand how your defence can be resourced from the outset.

24 hour availability

Our legal advisors are available to respond to your needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We will represent you at the police station and throughout the duration of your case to make sure you are treated fairly and appropriately.

Speak to an expert

Our legal team is available 7 days a week

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Contact our Criminal Conspiracy Solicitors

If you or a loved one has been accused of a conspiracy offence, it is essential that you engage the expertise of professional Conspiracy Solicitors who will be able to help and advise you on a defence strategy as soon as possible.

By entrusting your case to us, you can be assured that you will have a team of highly experienced and tenacious legal specialists who have a thorough and comprehensive knowledge of this area of law.

As one of the UK's leading Criminal Defence Law Firms, we are highly regarded nationally across the legal profession and noted for consistently delivering positive results for our clients.

Our expert criminal Conspiracy Solicitors regularly act for clients in Manchester, Preston, Blackpool, Liverpool, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham, and London. As recognised criminal solicitors, we can represent you wherever you live in England and Wales.

Our legal team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you or somebody you know has been arrested and needs expert legal representation, contact Draycott Browne today.

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