Sussex Defence Solicitors

Sussex Defence Solicitors: criminal defence in the south of England

Sussex Defence Solicitors (SDS) is a law firm based in Worthing with a by-appointment office in Littlehampton, in the county of West Sussex. The firm focuses on criminal defence and presents itself as one of the largest defence firms in the south of England, drawing on its team of solicitors, accredited police station representatives and links with criminal law barristers.

Areas of practice

The firm handles all types of criminal allegations, from false allegations at the police station stage to court proceedings. Its range of services includes:

• Sexual offences and false allegations of a sexual nature
• Regulatory law
• Domestic violence and coercive or controlling behaviour
• Road traffic offences
• Drug offences
• Fraud and theft
• Violent offences
• Money laundering, confiscation and restraint orders
• Confiscation proceedings
• Protective orders

Police station assistance and court representation

The firm provides advice and assistance at the police station, as well as private representation or defence before the Magistrates' Court and the Crown Court. When the firm's solicitors cannot attend the police station in person because they are at court, accredited representatives selected by the firm are used. All of them are accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and supervised by the firm's own solicitors, and they appear on the police station accreditation register regulated by the Legal Aid Agency. According to the firm's information, these representatives have more than 25 years of experience in police procedures, having developed careers in the Sussex and Metropolitan Police. If the client wishes a partner of the firm to represent them at the police station, they can request this on a private basis.

Funding and additional services

The firm provides information on funding your case, including private fees and advice on Legal Aid. It also offers second opinion and appeal services, and publishes information on Crown Court and Magistrates' Court hearing fees.

Professional team

The team is made up of partners, solicitors, an associate, a fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives and accredited police station representatives. Among the names the firm identifies are Mark Rogers, Matthew Baines and Sharon Waggott as partners; Colin Turner and Antony Bishop as solicitors; Harry Rogers as associate solicitor; Denise Medlock as fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives and accredited police station representative; and Chris Scutts and Mike Balmer as accredited police station representatives. Sarah Lovelady is listed as accounts manager.

Offices and regulation

The main office is in Worthing, with by-appointment service in Littlehampton. The firm is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 472806 and its VAT registration number is 932424637. It has an out-of-hours emergency phone line for immediate assistance.

Location and contact

24 Liverpool Gardens, Worthing BN11 1RY · Telephone: 01903 209994