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Trusted Criminal Defence Solicitors in London
Established as a leading criminal defence law firm, we specialise in financial crime, serious crime, fraud, and regulatory investigations. Our team of highly skilled solicitors has built a national reputation for successfully defending high-profile cases, including those involving the SFO, FCA, and HMRC. Recognised in Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners as a top-tier firm, we combine extensive experience with a client-focused approach, offering unrestricted access to legal experts 24/7. Our Principal, Giles Bark & Co & Co-Jones, is renowned for his tenacity in complex litigation, while our firm maintains a proven track record in cases ranging from corporate tax evasion to extradition.We serve both legal aid and private clients, including high-net-worth individuals, with a commitment to transparency and ethical representation. Our bespoke service ensures clients receive tailored legal strategies supported by awards such as The Times Best Law Firm. With offices in London and nationwide reach, we provide robust defence solutions grounded in decades of collective experience.
Services
Criminal Fraud
SFO Investigations
FCA Investigations
HMRC Tax Investigations
Serious Crime Defence
Extradition Cases
Regulatory Compliance
Corporate Tax Disputes
Drug Trafficking Defence
Legal Aid Representation
Highlights and features
- We defend high-profile SFO and FCA investigations with proven expertise
- Ranked top-tier in Legal 500 and Chambers for criminal defence
- 24/7 emergency legal support available
- Principal Giles Bark & Co & Co-Jones cited as go-to solicitor for complex cases
- Bespoke service with unrestricted lawyer access
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
What people say
Proven track record in SFO cases
24/7 emergency legal support
Ranked in Legal 500
Bespoke client service
Award-winning team
Services
Criminal Fraud Defence
Specialist defence for complex fraud allegations including money laundering, tax evasion, and corporate fraud. Our team handles SFO and FCA prosecutions with strategic litigation expertise. Clients benefit from our top-tier legal directory recognition and proven success in high-stakes financial crime cases.
SFO Investigations
Defence representation for Serious Fraud Office investigations involving multi-jurisdictional financial crimes. We provide proactive legal strategies for cases including LIBOR manipulation, bribery, and large-scale embezzlement, leveraging decades of experience in white-collar crime defence.
HMRC Tax Investigations
Expert legal support for HMRC criminal tax investigations covering VAT evasion, carousel fraud, and income tax irregularities. Our solicitors combine technical tax knowledge with robust defence tactics to achieve favourable outcomes in complex regulatory matters.
FCA Prosecutions
Comprehensive defence for Financial Conduct Authority prosecutions involving market abuse, insider trading, and regulatory breaches. We represent financial institutions and individuals with tailored strategies that address both criminal and regulatory implications of allegations.
Serious Crime Defence
Legal representation for serious criminal charges including murder, drug trafficking, and conspiracy offences. Our solicitors provide immediate intervention in police investigations and court proceedings, maintaining a strong focus on evidence analysis and procedural challenges.
People
Giles Bark-Jones
Principal
Recognised as a leading criminal defence solicitor, Giles Bark & Co & Co-Jones specialises in complex fraud and regulatory cases. With over 25 years' experience, he has represented clients in landmark SFO prosecutions and high-profile extradition matters.
Dharsh Lokaswaran
Solicitor Advocate
Specialising in financial crime and regulatory defence, Dharsh Lokaswaran has successfully defended clients in FCA prosecutions and HMRC tax evasion cases. Admitted to the Higher Rights of Audience, he provides strategic litigation expertise.
Maria Stalbow
Senior Solicitor
Maria Stalbow focuses on serious crime defence, including drug trafficking and murder cases. With extensive court experience, she provides immediate legal intervention during police custody and pre-charge investigations.
Vanessa Wiggins
Solicitor Advocate
Vanessa Wiggins specialises in regulatory investigations and corporate compliance matters. Her expertise includes defending professionals facing regulatory sanctions and disciplinary proceedings across multiple sectors.
Ditesh Patel
Director of Business Development
Ditesh Patel manages client relations and strategic growth initiatives. With a background in legal operations, he ensures seamless service delivery for both private and legal aid clients requiring urgent criminal defence support.
Questions
What areas of law does Bark & Co & Co & Co specialise in?
We specialise in criminal defence, financial crime, fraud investigations, regulatory compliance, and serious crime cases including extradition and murder allegations.
Do you offer emergency legal assistance?
Yes, our 24/7 emergency line provides immediate legal support for urgent matters including police interviews and arrest situations.
Can I get legal aid?
We accept legally aided clients who meet eligibility criteria. Our team will assess your case and guide you through the legal aid application process.
Do you handle UK-wide cases?
Yes, while based in London, we represent clients nationwide in courts including the Crown Court, High Court, and Supreme Court.
Are you regulated by the SRA?
Yes, Bark & Co & Co & Co Solicitors are Authorised & Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 260885.
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Reviews (6)
Nas Nas
Jun 16, 2022
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Bark & Co have done an amazing job at getting my partner the best possible outcome in regards to his case. I couldn't thank Ria & Ditesh enough for the help they have given my partner and I, they are always there to talk about any concern I have had even if We were repeating ourselves LOL! But I am really happy with the outcome we received today so thank you so much Bark & Co. We really appreciate everything:
Wayne Fox
May 19, 2022
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Safia Sinclair has gone over and above in helping my son with his case absolutely 5 star service in all aspects with constant communication and updates regarding his case nothing was too much trouble and so easy to deal with she was extremely reassuring all the way through so can't thank her enough, I have used other solicitors in the past but never with this service I will never use another solicitor apart from Safia and this company top class service, thank you so much from both myself and Aaron yours ever so grateful Wayne fox
Wasp Dotcom
May 01, 2022
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It was absolutely best experience I ever had in this case I would like to Thank You for the service I received. Your help exceeded my expectations. Even though the extradition case seemed hopeless, I am a free man at this point. Magdalena and George are the best and honestly recommendable, I can only guess that the whole team is as good as my defenders
Kalv Singh
Apr 22, 2022
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Excellent service from Bark & Co Solicitors, and I got a great result. Ditesh Patel was exceptionally helpful and Peter gave constructive advice, guidance and looked after me from day one after taking over from my previous solicitors firm who gave me no hope in my case, so I took the advice from a friend who recommended speaking with Ditesh which I did. He immediately filled me with confidence and I decided to sack my original firm and transfer to Bark & Co and go with Ditesh.
Along with him and Peter Finbow I worked with my barrister Tom Adwards and we got the best result possible. Much better than I expected and a result that my previous firm told me I had no hope in achieving and were advising me to go guilty on a charge that I hadn't even committed and would have received a sentence of around 8 years imprisonment. With Ditesh and his excellent advice and faith in me we walked out of court with a community service order and no time served. I highly recommend this firm and have a lot to thank them for. Thanks again Ditesh. Excellent work.
Along with him and Peter Finbow I worked with my barrister Tom Adwards and we got the best result possible. Much better than I expected and a result that my previous firm told me I had no hope in achieving and were advising me to go guilty on a charge that I hadn't even committed and would have received a sentence of around 8 years imprisonment. With Ditesh and his excellent advice and faith in me we walked out of court with a community service order and no time served. I highly recommend this firm and have a lot to thank them for. Thanks again Ditesh. Excellent work.
Zach Cornish
Apr 22, 2022
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Safiya sinclair was great this is the second time I have used her and both times she has made it understandable and helped me all the way to the best outcome for me and made sure I was aware of everything I needed to. She's great would highly recommend as I have done to friends and family
Martin Botas
Feb 08, 2022
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I can't thank and appreciate enough the services provided by Dharshini. I owe my life to her, I will forever feel in debt for the result we achieved it could have been really bad. I'm free and spending time with my family rather than locked up inside. I hope I will never need her services again. However, if i had to I wouldn't think twice about it. 100% recommended to anyone looking someone you can trust and be real with you. Thank you again Dharshini and Bark & Co Solicitors!
