Wade Lloyd

Private Criminal Defence · Liverpool & Nationwide

A Charge Is Not a Conviction.
We Make Sure of It.

Discreet  ·  Strategic  ·  Relentless

When you are facing a serious criminal allegation, who defends you — and how early they start — decides everything. We act for you privately, from the first interview at the police station through to trial and appeal.

Police Station to Crown Court Complete Discretion Private Instruction Only
Representation At Every Stage

Under Investigation, Charged or Facing Trial? You Do Not Face It Alone.

Few things are more daunting than the machinery of a criminal case turning towards you. The interviews, the disclosure, the court dates — each one carries weight, and each is a place where the right defence changes the outcome.

Private criminal defence means instructing your own specialist solicitor — not the duty rota — to act for you from the police station through the Magistrates' and Crown Court, and on to appeal if it comes to that. One team, one strategy, from the first interview to the verdict.

What is private criminal defence?

It is representation you choose and instruct directly, rather than being allocated whoever happens to be on duty. From the moment you are interviewed, a dedicated solicitor builds and runs your defence — attending the police station, appearing at court, and instructing the right barrister to fight your corner where the seriousness of the case demands it.

It applies across all serious criminal allegations — including fraud, drugs, EncroChat and organised crime cases, and any matter carrying real reputational or custodial risk.

Why It Matters

A Defence Built Around You, Not a Rota

When your liberty and reputation are at stake, who represents you — and how early they start — shapes everything that follows.

Your solicitor, your choice

You instruct us directly. The same specialist stays with your case from first interview to final hearing — not a different duty solicitor at every turn.

Strategy from day one

We do not wait for the trial to start defending you. Evidence is tested, disclosure is challenged, and the case is shaped from the very first interview.

Serious cases, seriously handled

Fraud, drugs, EncroChat, sexual and violent offences — we take on the cases that carry the highest stakes, and instruct leading counsel where it counts.

How We Work

How We Defend on Your Behalf

01

Confidential review

We take a full, private account of the allegation and the evidence against you, and tell you honestly where you stand.

02

Build the strategy

We test the prosecution case, challenge disclosure and unlawful evidence, and instruct experts and counsel where they strengthen your defence.

03

Represent you at court

From first hearing to trial, we appear for you at the Magistrates' and Crown Court — arguing bail, disclosure, and the case itself.

04

Appeal where needed

If the outcome is wrong, we advise on and pursue an appeal against conviction or sentence — acting fast, because the deadlines are tight.

In Practice

What Private Defence Can Involve

  • Attending the police station for interview under caution — privately, not on the duty rota.
  • Representation at the Magistrates' Court for summary and either-way offences.
  • Full Crown Court defence, from case preparation through to the trial itself.
  • Instructing and working alongside leading King's Counsel where the case demands it.
  • Bail applications, and challenging conditions that are unfair or unnecessary.
  • Appeals against conviction or sentence, advised on and pursued without delay.
Common Questions

Private Defence — Your Questions Answered

Can you represent me if I've already been charged?

Yes. We act at every stage of a criminal case, from the police station to the Crown Court and beyond. Even where a charge has already been brought, there is almost always work to be done — testing the evidence, challenging disclosure, and building the strongest possible defence for trial.

What's the difference between a duty solicitor and instructing you privately?

A duty solicitor is whoever is allocated to you at the time. Instructing us privately means you choose your representation, and the same specialist team stays with your case throughout — giving it the time, continuity and attention a serious matter deserves.

Do you handle Crown Court trials?

Yes. We prepare and run full Crown Court defences, and instruct leading King's Counsel and specialist junior barristers to appear alongside us where the seriousness of the case calls for it.

What kinds of case do you take on?

We defend serious and complex criminal allegations — including fraud, drugs, EncroChat and organised crime cases, sexual and violent offences, and any matter carrying significant reputational or custodial risk.

Can you help me appeal a conviction or sentence?

Yes, and time matters. Appeal deadlines are strict, so the sooner you speak to us the better. We will advise honestly on the prospects and, where there are grounds, pursue the appeal without delay.

Do you offer legal aid?

No. Wade Lloyd is a private firm. Clients instruct us privately, which lets us devote full time and resource to a smaller number of cases and defend each one relentlessly.

Speak To Us Today

The Strength of Your Defence Starts With the Call You Make Now

If you are under investigation or facing a charge, do not wait. Speak to us in confidence and we will tell you, honestly, how we can help — and what the next step should be.