Criminal Defence

Home /Service / Criminal Defence

At Watson Woodhouse, we have a team of dedicated and highly experienced Criminal Defence Solicitors working across Teesside and the UK. Many clients come to us in their darkest hour, often vulnerable and stressed. We’re here to listen. From murder and manslaughter to driving offences, our direct response is to carefully evaluate how to solve your legal problems. We do this with experience, empathy and a non-judgemental attitude. If you require a specialist Criminal Defence Solicitor to help get you through this difficult period, please get in touch with us today.

“We have positioned ourselves as “Champions of the Community”; fighting for justice for the people of the North East for over 30 years.”

Criminal Defence Solicitors

Founded in 1988 by owner Jimmy Watson, we have developed an enviable reputation for the successful defence of serious crime cases. Having acted in some of the most high-profile cases locally, nationally and internationally over the last three decades we’ve amassed a wealth of knowledge and skill in defending the most serious of crimes.

Undertaking rigorous preparation in your defence our Criminal Defence Solicitors will subject the prosecution to intense scrutiny and as much face-to-face contact as required. We’ll keep you informed throughout a fully transparent service whilst building a solid defence. Across the last thirty years, we have achieved fantastic success with robbery cases, complex fraud, conspiracy, sexual allegations and every other aspect of criminal defence. Where clients plead guilty, we assist in the preparation of detailed mitigation for presentation before the Court to assist as to sentence. As our client, you have direct access to a team of in-house Counsel and High Court Advocates from start to finish.

Leading Your Criminal Defence

Our Criminal Defence team works hard to guarantee the accused receives only the deserved punishment. Highly specialised and respected in court proceedings across the UK and Abroad, Watson Woodhouse achieves life-changing outcomes.

We seek fair representation for defendants in all criminal court proceedings, ensuring all rights afforded to the accused are upheld throughout the criminal justice process. This often greatly improves case outcomes. Your Criminal Defence Solicitor works tirelessly to avoid wrongful conviction and to minimize excessive sentences.

Funding options including legal aid are available and our solicitors will advise.

We are here to help

Call us for a FREE and confidential consultation with a specialist solicitor today on 01642 247 656; alternatively, complete our online contact form, and one of our team will be in touch.

What Our Clients Say

Latest Trustpilot Reviews

I would 100% recommend this practice. Andrew was fantastic, very efficient, full of good advice and fully represented my interests. Whenever I contacted the office the staff were very accommodating and professional. I will soon be going back to have a new will made and consider them now to be “my” solicitors. I am also grateful to the estate agent that pointed me in this direction.

Absolutely outstanding performance! If you are buying or selling a house, you need Watson and Woodhouse to do the conveyancing for you. Alisha Stevenson acted on my behalf for the purchase of my home and she completed the work in five weeks! Every other solicitor I approached said it would take twelve to sixteen weeks! I cannot say thank you enough times. Excellent communication. Excellent documentation. Excellent work. I highly recommend Watson and Woodhouse if you are considering buying or selling your house.

I have just used Watson Woodhouse for my conveyancing in my recent house sale. It was a total of 3 months from 1st hitting the market to completion and key handover. The services provided by Katie Gibson and Livvie Pruden were exceptional, keeping me in the loop and updated.

Sarah, Kirsty & Laura have helped me through the hardest time of my life. Their attention to detail, professionalism, empathy and kindness will be something that will stick with me forever.

A big thank you to Richard and the team at Watson Woodhouse. Your professionalism, knowledge and positive attitude made all the difference and ensured my house sale completed. You guided me through some complex issues and your advice was always first class

Watson Woodhouse looked after the sale of one house and the purchase of another. It was an excellent service. Alisha Stevenson made what is normally a stressful situation bearable with her professionalism. She is easy to talk to, She made herself available when she could and always returned a call when she couldn’t. Good value for money.

We used Watson Woodhouse for the sale of our home and purchase of our new bungalow. We would like to thank Katie Gibson, Jackie Howard and Livvie-Mae Pruden for all their help and support during this long process which was delayed by an issue with our vendor’s solicitors. The ladies acted with patience and kindness and were totally professional at all times. Thank you all so much.

This was a very stressful time for me selling and moving house when just getting over illness.Richard kept in touch and constantly gave me reassurance and explained anything I was unsure about.I felt looked after and well informed about everything I feel Richard went above and beyond to ensure I did not receive more stress than needed be.Thank you Richard I would recommend Richard Rutter excellent soliciter.

Let's Get Started

Call us on 01642 247 656 or request a callback for further information, or start a claim and one of our specialistCriminal Defence lawyers will be in touch.

Free Call Back

© Copyright 2026 Watson Woodhouse Limited | SRA no. 640409