We’re here around the clock to help you take the first step toward resolving your legal issue. Reach out anytime for a free initial consultation.
Let us know a convenient time and we’ll get in touch—no waiting on hold.
Decisions from public bodies, courts or other authorities can be unfair or wrong. When this happens, individuals and organisations can seek legal redress through appeals against convictions, appeals against sentences, or judicial reviews.
If you are appealing decisions from the Magistrates' Court, the appellant court would be the Crown Court. If you are appealing decisions made in the Crown Court, you must appeal in the Court of Appeal. At Lex Vindico Group, our specialist legal team will advise and represent you when challenging any decision, be it a sentence, a conviction, or a decision made by a public body. Whether you have an adverse judgment, an unfair administrative decision or procedural errors, we will fight for you and get you justice. Our resource pool allows exclusive access to private barristers, whom we regularly use to advise and represent our clients who require specialist representation.
Appeals and judicial reviews are legal processes for challenging decisions made by courts, public bodies, or other decision-makers. Appeals are about correcting errors in judgments or procedures within the legal system, while judicial reviews are about lawfulness, fairness, or whether a decision was within the decision maker's powers. Appeals often revisit specific case parts, such as factual errors or misinterpretations of the law. Understanding the intricacies of these processes is key to getting it right.
An appeal against conviction or sentence is usually made to correct errors in the application of law, in legal procedure, and when fresh evidence comes to light. Appeals allow an individual to challenge the Court or Tribunal's findings by seeking the higher court's consideration of that decision. The higher court, whether the Crown Court or the Court of Appeal, could overturn or amend the ruling/decision. In a working example, the higher courts could quash convictions, reduce sentences and order retrials in matters where the lower courts have erred.
Generally, the Notice of Grounds to appeal should be lodged with the higher court within 28 days of the conviction, sentence, verdicts, or decision being appealed (S.18 Criminal Appeal Act 1968 and CrimPR 39.2(1)). (21 days if appealing in the Magistrates' Court). Grounds of appeal are strengthened with written advice from expert appeal barristers, whom we at Lex Vindico Group can assist you with.
Suppose you feel as though there has been some unfairness in the ruling or judgment of your case, whether the conviction was unfair, or the sentence was manifestly excessive, or even if there is now fresh evidence which wasn't available to the Court at the time of the decision. In that case, our expert appeal lawyers can advise you today. Strict time limits require swift action.
Judicial reviews, governed by public law, examine whether decisions were made lawfully, fairly or within the decision maker's powers. As the timeframes are strict, you must act quickly to bring a judicial review case within 3 months. Such judicial reviews can overturn bad decisions by public authorities such as councils, governmental departments, or regulatory bodies. Our judicial review solicitors will help you determine whether the decision was correct in law, rational and fair.
When the verdict, whether from a judge or a jury, is procedurally flawed due to errors in the trial.
When a judge has sentenced you, but that sentence seems manifestly excessive, given the specifics within your case and the sentencing council/sentence guidelines.
If a public authority has acted outside of its powers, not followed its due process, and made a decision wrongly, that impacts your rights.
Lex Vindico Group's lawyers have many years of experience handling complex appeals and advising on judicial review cases. Our lawyers have in-depth knowledge of appeal law and a proven track record of winning for our clients. We act quickly and strategically to correct errors, protect rights, and get justice.
At Lex Vindico Group, we understand that each case is unique and requires detailed preparation and bespoke strategies. Our team is committed to providing clear, practical advice so you fully understand your options, the process, and the potential outcome. Whether you're challenging a criminal conviction, public body decision, or regulatory ruling, we will support you every step of the way, including litigating at all court levels, including the Supreme Court.
The first step in any appeal or judicial review is determining whether there are grounds for challenge. Our expert lawyers will review the original decision, the complete evidence file and identify errors in procedure or law. We will provide clear written advice on the merits of your case and the chances of success, and we encourage you to participate in the decision-making process before we formally proceed actively.
The pre-action protocol is a critical step in judicial reviews. It involves drafting and serving a letter before the claim is made on the public body, setting out the grounds for challenge and the desired outcome. We follow this protocol to keep the case on track.
Judicial review proceedings have a two-stage structure: the permission stage and the substantive stage. You need to act quickly when bringing a claim to challenge administrative decisions by public officials. Preparation for appeals and judicial reviews involves gathering detailed evidence, drafting persuasive arguments and anticipating counterarguments. We prepare every detail to present your case.
In Appeals against conviction and sentences, a formal notice must be submitted to the appellant court within 28 days, in most cases, the Court of Appeal or 21 days in Magistrates Court matters. In Court of Appeal cases, when the single judge considers the application and the barrister's advice/grounds for appeal, they would either grant permission to appeal or refuse leave to appeal. In contrast, you have an automatic right to appeal in Magistrates' Court matters.
Lex Vindico Group's counsel would help you draft robust grounds for appeal, ensuring they are persuasive and targeted at legal errors and procedural biases/breaches.
Appeals and judicial reviews often involve appearances in the administrative court, high court, Court of Appeal, or other specialist tribunals. Advocacy is key at these hearings.
Our expert appeal barristers will present arguments clearly, address legal errors, and, most importantly, ensure that your voice is heard at court.
Suppose you are an organisation or a public body defending a judicial review claim. In that case, it is essential to respond appropriately to retain your decision-making powers and avoid unnecessary legal stress. The process is complex and demanding. It requires fully understanding the judicial review process and the grounds to challenge a decision. At Lex Vindico Group, our specialist judicial review solicitors have extensive experience defending and initiating judicial review claims and will guide and represent you throughout the process.
A judicial review does not evaluate the merits of certain decisions made, but rather whether the decision made by a public authority was:
Our expert judicial review team can provide you with early legal advice today.
Errors in criminal trials or sentencing can lead to miscarriages of justice. If you are out of time, i.e., the 21 or 28-day window has been missed, you may still make an out-of-time appeal, provided that the appellant court grants you permission. Our experts can help maximise your chances of being granted permission by serving a secondary application, within which we would describe the reasoning behind the delay and the subsequent prejudice to justice if the appeal is dismissed or not allowed.
In cases where the appeal courts have refused permission to proceed with the appeal, the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) will investigate potential wrongful convictions and provide a route for appeal. This serves as a final window to justice. Our expert appeal team will help you identify errors, gather evidence, seek disclosure and present strong appeals to correct the injustice with strong merits.
Decisions by public authorities, including local authorities, local councils, or government departments, can sometimes infringe on individual rights and breach their responsibilities in public functions. Challenges may involve breaches of the Human Rights Act, procedural unfairness, or misuse of public power. Judicial reviews are the mechanism for holding public bodies to account.
Disciplinary actions or decisions by regulatory bodies such as the General Medical Council (GMC), General Dental Council (GDC), Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and many others can have serious professional consequences. Challenging these decisions requires specialist expertise, which our team today can provide through robust representation and strategic advice within strict time frames.
Some government actions or policies can be challenged statutorily, mainly where they affect individuals or organisations. Judicial reviews provide a mechanism to challenge these decisions, hold the government accountable, and restore justice.
Our public law team and expert appeals counsel at Lex Vindico Group have extensive experience dealing with judicial review claims and succeeding with appeals against conviction/sentence. We will guide and represent you throughout the process:
If you need expert advice and representation, contact our solicitors today. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case and advise on your next steps.
Our solicitors are familiar with public law and criminal law specialists, with many years of experience advising on and conducting appeals. This means we can offer bespoke advice for your situation.
Every case is different. We will develop a strategy to address your case's specific nuances and legal issues to achieve the best possible result at every stage.
With a track record of getting results for our clients, Lex Vindico Group is the partner of choice for those seeking justice through appeals or judicial reviews. You have a chance at getting justice, and your decision today will determine your access to justice tomorrow. We use leading appeal barristers to maximise your chances of success.
Time limits for appeals and judicial reviews are strict, making prompt action essential. Contact Lex Vindico Group today for a confidential consultation.
Let our experienced solicitors guide you through the process, protect your rights, and achieve the justice you deserve. Contact our expert lawyers today for a free consultation.
Let us guide and support you towards justice.
Get in touch with our expert team to discuss your case. Simply fill in the form below, and we’ll get back to you promptly.
We’re proud to be recognised by the UK’s leading legal and professional bodies. With decades of experience across criminal defence, regulatory law, and litigation, our clients trust our lawyers to deliver results with discretion, precision, and integrity.
Your next step could make all the difference. Speak to our expert legal team now and protect your future.