E&L Legal

Expert Criminal Defence — 24/7 Police Station Cover

Arrested or charged?
We stand with you.

E&L Legal are specialist criminal defence solicitors based in Liverpool, covering England and Wales. From police station to Court of Appeal — with Legal Aid available, we protect your rights at every stage.

Legal Aid Available
Available 24 / 7
5.0 / 5 — 32 Verified Reviews
SRA Regulated — No. 8009554

Speak to a solicitor now

Free Initial Advice — 24/7

Police station calls answered immediately, day or night.

Call Anytime
0151 725 0070
or send a confidential message

Confidential. Legal Aid assessed free of charge.

Expert Defence With a Human Touch

Being arrested is one of the most frightening things that can happen.

Whether you've been arrested, charged, or you're under investigation, the next few hours and days matter enormously. What you say — and what you don't say — can define the outcome of your case. At E&L Legal, our first priority is to protect your rights and ensure you have expert advice from the moment you contact us.

Arrested or at the Station?

You have the right to free legal representation at any police station in England and Wales. Exercise it — never answer questions without a solicitor present.

Charged or Summonsed?

A charge is the beginning, not the end. The earlier we get involved, the stronger your position. Early preparation is the single greatest factor in your outcome.

Under Investigation?

EncroChat, drug conspiracies, fraud — complex investigations require specialist defence from day one. Don't wait to be charged before seeking advice.

Already Convicted?

If you believe your verdict or sentence was wrong, you may have grounds for appeal. We advise on appeal merits and represent through to the Court of Appeal.

What We Cover

Criminal Defence Services

Expert defence from police station through to Court of Appeal. Duty Solicitor firm with Legal Aid available across the full range of criminal matters.

Police Station Representation

Free Legal Aid representation at any police station in England and Wales, 24 hours a day. We attend in person, advise you before interview, and protect your rights from the very first moment.

Drug Offences & Conspiracies

From simple possession to large-scale Class A supply conspiracies, we provide specialist defence. We understand the evidential complexities and how to challenge the Crown's case effectively.

EncroChat Investigations

EncroChat cases involve complex digital evidence and large-scale prosecution operations. We have experience defending EncroChat matters and understanding how to challenge the admissibility and interpretation of this evidence.

Violence & Assault

From common assault through to GBH and Section 18 wounding, we build the strongest defence available. We examine self-defence, intent, and all available mitigating factors from the outset.

Murder & Manslaughter

The most serious charges require the most experienced defence. We have represented clients facing murder and manslaughter charges, working alongside leading counsel to build a thorough and robust defence.

Sexual Offences

Allegations of sexual offences are life-changing. We provide discreet, expert, and robust defence — challenging the evidence, examining the complaint, and protecting your reputation and liberty throughout.

Theft, Fraud & Dishonesty

From shoplifting to large-scale fraud, we provide expert defence across all dishonesty matters. We scrutinise the evidence, challenge identification and intent, and pursue every available avenue of defence.

Weapons, Knife Crime & Firearms

Weapons offences carry mandatory minimum sentences and require immediate specialist advice. We advise on possession, supply, and all related matters — challenging stops, searches, and the lawfulness of evidence from the outset.

Public Order & Other Matters

Public order offences, criminal damage, harassment, stalking, football banning orders — we provide defence across all categories of criminal matter, at magistrates' court, Crown Court, and Court of Appeal.

Why E&L Legal

Named solicitors.
Personal defence.
Real results.

From the moment you contact us, you deal with a named solicitor — not a call handler, not a duty rota of strangers. Amanda Sheppard and Peter Haney bring years of criminal defence experience across the full spectrum of offending.

We have represented clients facing murder charges, Class A drug conspiracies, EncroChat investigations, and sexual offences. Whatever you are facing, we build the strongest possible defence from day one.

Legal Aid Available 24 / 7 Cover Duty Solicitor Firm CLSA Member SRA Regulated
Call Now — Free Advice
Transparent Pricing

Criminal Defence Fees

Police station representation is always free under Legal Aid. For court matters, we assess your eligibility immediately and provide a full written quote before any work begins. All fees exclude VAT.

Police Station
FREE
Legal Aid — regardless of income. England & Wales, 24/7. You are always entitled to free representation at the police station.
Guilty Plea — 1 Hearing
From
£500
Excl. VAT. Full written quote provided before any work begins. Legal Aid eligibility assessed immediately.
Guilty Plea — 2 Hearings
From
£750
Excl. VAT. Full written quote provided before any work begins.
Half-Day Trial
From
£1,250
Excl. VAT. Complex or multi-day Crown Court matters quoted on a case-by-case basis.
Full-Day Trial
From
£1,750
Excl. VAT. Crown Court representation quoted individually — contact us for a same-day assessment.
Crown Court
POA
Assessed case by case. Legal Aid may be available. We advise on all options before any cost is incurred.
Mileage outside Merseyside: 45p per mile + VAT. Not sure if Legal Aid applies? Call 0151 725 0070 — we assess eligibility immediately, free of charge.
Client Testimonials

What Our Clients Say

32 verified reviews on ReviewSolicitors — all rated 5.0 out of 5.

"First class solicitor"

Amanda answered all my questions with great clarity and patience. She kept me informed every step of the way, which gave me great peace of mind. She was fantastic right through my case — believe me, it was a difficult case — and I would definitely recommend Amanda to anybody needing support.

Anthony — March 2026 · Verified Review

"Excellent service"

Despite Amanda having many other clients, it always felt that we were the only one due to the time she gave us. Amanda was always there, answering my many questions at all times — often going above and beyond. My son was supported, represented and given a future.

Ann — September 2023 · Verified Review

"Couldn't recommend enough"

Honestly couldn't recommend Amanda Sheppard enough — the hours of hard work she put into our case meant we walked away with the best case scenario. From start to finish the communication was great. Couldn't fault her work.

Christian — April 2025 · Verified Review

"The best solicitor in the North West"

Peter Haney is the most professional and knowledgeable solicitor I have come across. He understands the case and has so much knowledge in the legal sector. He is always available when he says and literally has your back — which is what you need.

Siobhan — January 2026 · Verified Review

Common Questions

Criminal Defence — Questions We're Asked

If your question isn't here, call us any time. We're happy to talk through your situation with no obligation whatsoever.

Call 0151 725 0070
No. Police station representation is completely free for everyone under the Legal Aid scheme — regardless of your income or the offence. Always request a solicitor. Never answer questions without one present; anything you say can and will be used against you.
Yes. You have the right to request any specific solicitor — not just the duty solicitor on call. Simply tell the custody sergeant you want E&L Legal and give them our number: 0151 725 0070. We will attend regardless of the time.
Being charged is the beginning of the process, not the end. The earlier you instruct us, the stronger your position. We'll review the evidence, advise you on your options — including whether to plead guilty or not guilty — and handle all court appearances with you. Call us the moment you receive a charge.
Legal Aid for court matters is means-tested and depends on the nature of the charge and your financial circumstances. We assess your eligibility immediately and explain all your options before any cost is incurred. Even where Legal Aid is not available, we provide a full written quote before starting work.
Contact us immediately. Early advice — before any interview or formal process — is often the most valuable advice you can receive. Do not speak to the police, make any statements, or hand over any devices or documents without first speaking to a solicitor. The decisions made at this stage can define the entire outcome.
If you believe your conviction or sentence was wrong, you may have grounds to appeal. There are strict time limits so you should contact us as soon as possible. We advise honestly on whether an appeal has merit and represent you from the Court of Appeal application through to the full hearing.
Get In Touch

Contact E&L Legal

Whether you need urgent advice or want to understand your options, we're here. All enquiries are confidential. Initial advice is free and there is no obligation to proceed.

Phone — 24/7
Police station calls answered immediately, day and night
Email
All enquiries treated in strict confidence
Office
544 Prescot Road, Old Swan
Liverpool, L13 3DB
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30 · Urgent calls 24/7
SRA Registration
E&L Legal Ltd — No. 8009554
Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority

Send a Confidential Enquiry

We'll respond same day for non-urgent matters. For urgent matters, please call.

Confidential. Legal Aid eligibility assessed free of charge. No obligation to proceed.