Help with Wrongful Conviction

[Sak]

Someone I know has been found guilty by the Jury recently however he has definitely not done anything wrong. I was wondering if someone could helpi us by suggesting a legal team that we can use for the appeal process. we are from Berkshire area.

I did some research online and there are good reviews for Stephen Cooper of falselyaccused.co.uk. Any suggestions/personal reviews on him.

We are desperate for help and suggestion as time for lodging an application for appeal is running out.

Please help us .

[Rights Fighter]

You won't find many - if any - good reviews of FAd.co.uk on here. People on here have tried them and bitterly regretted it.

It is not necessary to pay an arm and a leg for an appeal. First there have to be grounds. If he is eligible for LA you will need to speak with a solicitor and explain what you think went wrong at the trial. This can be related to evidence that should have been used that was not; fresh evidence that either goes to the heart of the allegations or points to a serious abuse of process.

Some appeals are won on lack of proper direction by the judge in summing up, or a misdirection.

If you can afford to buy the Judge's Summing Up, ask the solicitor to get a quote from the court transcribers.

What does trial counsel/solicitor say about the prospects of appealing?

[Sak]

Thanks for response

You won't find many - if any - good reviews of FAd.co.uk on here. People on here have tried them and bitterly regretted it.

It is not necessary to pay an arm and a leg for an appeal. First there have to be grounds. If he is eligible for LA you will need to speak with a solicitor and explain what you think went wrong at the trial. This can be related to evidence that should have been used that was not; fresh evidence that either goes to the heart of the allegations or points to a serious abuse of process.

Some appeals are won on lack of proper direction by the judge in summing up, or a misdirection.

If you can afford to buy the Judge's Summing Up, ask the solicitor to get a quote from the court transcribers.

What does trial counsel/solicitor say about the prospects of appealing?

Having spoken to the legal there is one potential area where we can go and try to make an application of appeal. However we are not satisfied with the legal team as the potential area that they are mentioning could have been used in the main trial as well as they were aware of the situation then also. Therefore was wondering if anyone could suggest a good solicitors that we can get in touch with.

[Rights Fighter]

I don't believe that there is a "legal" in FAd.co.uk. It's him only as far as I know. Maybe he introduced you to a solicitor he works with?

Are you looking for a sol in the London area?

[Sak]

I don't believe that there is a "legal" in FAd.co.uk. It's him only as far as I know. Maybe he introduced you to a solicitor he works with?

Are you looking for a sol in the London area?

I haven't been in touch with FAD yet. That was one of the potential organization I was considering based on the testimonials on the site.

London or Berkshire area around Windsor, Slough, Reading or Oxford.

[Rights Fighter]

I tend not to be persuaded by testimonials posted on any site that is selling a service. I prefer speaking with people who have actually experienced them.

If trial counsel say that there is a ground to appeal with, then maybe ask them for a written Advice on Appeal and see exactly what that is, before thinking of going elsewhere.

[AmandaF]

We were told that if the defence team knew about something pre- trial it can't be used as an appeal as it is not deemed to be new evidence.
We now have new evidence in y OH@s case but the defence aren't interested.

It's a lousy situation to be in, but you will find god advice and above all support on here

[Rights Fighter]

My first appeal success related to evidence in the family court bundle that wasn't used. it went directly to the motive for the mother to lie. That barrister was sued after we won as she lied about the evidence, saying the client had expressly instructed her not to use it.......

[can it get worse]

You may find it worthwhile reading some of the posts on here about Mr Cooper.

Proceed with caution with all organisations before entering in to any contracts or handing over any money.

Impressive websites are not everything and can be misleading.

Chris Saltrese is fantastic (personal experience). It may also be useful reading the recommended solicitors on this forum.

[Rights Fighter]

Most of the threads relating to FAd.co.uk have had to be deleted on demand of said person. That speaks volumes.

Sak, as I suggested before, ask for a written Advice on Appeal and see exactly why they have decided that they should have gone with evidence that wasn't used.

It could be that they attempted to use it but were stopped via an application by the prosecution. Until you read the Advice you won't know for certain.

Once you have done that, come back and I'll see if I can advise you further. Things are not always what they seem.

[Incredulous]

Hy. I have had some initial dealing with SC from FA.co.uk but I would advise to look elsewhere myself.

Who we used to an excellent conclusion is Miss Hilary Doherty from ITN Solicitors, London. She is vastly experienced. The most level and experienced Solicitor we could have found. She guided us through the way giving excellent advise at all times with the most human and always the most professional of service.

She was utterly superb and her prices in comparison to the above were minimal and the best value for money one could spend, as she did what she said with no extra 'add ins'. Clear, a thinker, excellent advice with the correct result. If you want to go private then please don't hesitate in setting up a meeting with Hilary. You won't be disappointed. You will not be wasting your money either.

She is in London and good luck to you.

[Rights Fighter]

Thanks for recommending Hilary. I have heard nothing but good about her. Genuinely caring, not bragging about expensive cars, watches etc, (as does the aforementioned person) she just gets on with the job in question. If you can afford to pay privately and you are in the London area, maybe you could consider her as a serious option.

[Rights Fighter]

Sorry, I should have added, that if you / anyone else cannot afford to pay privately, that doesn't really matter at this stage. If you look at the threads/posts where people have been NFA'd, most of them had had the services of a legally aided duty solicitor.

Duty sols can't do much after the interview, as there is no payment for them. Where solicitors like Hilary and co excel, is the client care and genuine sympathy and background work, although background work isn't usually necessary at this stage. Each case is different.

So please don't think that to get an NFA you have to pay. You don't. It's always best, if you can, to find a duty solicitor who is experienced in these matters. If you scour the sols/barristers thread you will see many who are recommended and some who are not.

[SoUnfair]

Avoid !!!

The person mentioned may appear to be able to solve the problem, but once the money is paid you wont hear from him again. we have lost thousands thanks to him and are worse than back to square one now. It adds to the heartache dealing with him. But you do need a good solicitor who really specialises in this and knows what they're doing. There was so much evidence we could have used and our legal team didn't, so it was all wasted and can't be used now, a good team would have used that evidence and we would be in a much better position now. Good Luck.

[Rights Fighter]

The person mentioned may appear to be able to solve the problem, but once the money is paid you wont hear from him again. we have lost thousands thanks to him and are worse than back to square one now. It adds to the heartache dealing with him. But you do need a good solicitor who really specialises in this and knows what they're doing. There was so much evidence we could have used and our legal team didn't, so it was all wasted and can't be used now, a good team would have used that evidence and we would be in a much better position now. Good Luck.

Hopefully the CCRC will accept the arguments I provided and will refer your case to CA SoUnfair. However as they only refer 1.6%, if we are referred, it will be a miracle. Miracles do sometimes happen though.....

I wonder where Sak has gone. Hope they are ok.