What Astons Law Chambers does
- Advice on prospects of appealing conviction or sentence.
- Drafting of grounds of appeal.
- Crown Court appeals from the Magistrates’ Court.
- Representation in the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division).
Process
- A short call to confirm what was decided, on what date, and how much time is left to appeal.
- A written client-care letter setting out scope and fee.
- Review of the transcript, summing-up, and trial papers — these are ordered early.
- Drafting of grounds and representation at the appeal hearing.
Instructing directly
A solicitor is not required for this work.
Astons Law Chambers is authorised under the Bar Standards Board's Public Access scheme to accept instructions directly from members of the public. The practice is also authorised to conduct litigation, so the case can be run end-to-end without a separate solicitor. Suitability is assessed during the first call; where a solicitor is needed, Astons Law Chambers will say so and refer where useful.
For matters that qualify for public funding, see how legal aid works at Astons Law Chambers — eligible cases are referred to a partner solicitor firm at no cost.
How Direct Access works →Common questions
- How long do I have to appeal?
- Time limits are short and start running on the day of the decision. Call before the time runs — grounds can be drafted in time even if the papers are not yet available.
- Can I appeal just the sentence?
- Yes. Sentence-only appeals are common. Grounds depend on the principles applied and the facts. The first call covers whether they are realistic.
- My trial lawyer said an appeal isn’t worth it — is that final?
- No. A second opinion on prospects is part of the work. The first call covers whether the case is worth pursuing.
Time-limited
Appeal time runs from the day of the decision.
Early instruction matters. Transcripts and trial papers take time to obtain and review.
Call nowBefore you call
A short, useful first call covers three things:
- The allegation and any charge.
- Any next hearing date.
- What you have been told so far.
If you don't have all three, call anyway — the first call is free.
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