Help me – I’ve been falsely accused of sexual assault
This article explains what to do when you have been falsely accused of sexual assault, including staying calm and instructing a solicitor.
Andrew Ford
May 6, 2025
Pre-Charge Solicitor Representation Explained
We have successfully represented many clients ‘pre-charge’ (prior to and after arrest) and have a phenomenal record of success in concluding cases without charge, by making representations to prosecution authorities, such as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
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Worried you may be charged soon with a criminal offence? Let us help before the case progresses any further.
We are able to challenge illegal arrests and searches, seek the return of seized items, point out flaws in the evidence and address legal errors by the investigators or prosecutors. In addition, we often advise clients to mount a pro-active defence exercise by gathering evidence from witnesses and experts to contradict the prosecution allegations so that charges cannot be justified under the Code for Crown Prosecutors.
We look to establish that there is insufficient evidence for our clients to be charged and/or that a prosecution would not be in the public interest. This involves creative, intensive and intelligent legal strategy and a ‘no stone unturned’ approach to pre-charge defence.
We look to establish that there is insufficient evidence for our clients to be charged and/or that a prosecution would not be in the public interest. This involves creative, intensive and intelligent legal strategy and a ‘no stone unturned’ approach to pre-charge defence.
Pre-charge Engagement
When you are facing impending criminal charges, it is an incredibly stressful and extremely unsettling time. At Holborn Adams, we have an outstanding track record of concluding cases without charge. Our expert solicitor team will reassure you and reap results.
What is pre-charge engagement?
During pre-charge engagement, suspects, solicitors, and investigators discuss a case together. The goal is to ensure all lines of enquiry are addressed and more information unearthed at an earlier stage. This can prevent the case proceeding longer than it needs to – ideally before any charges are even made.
It takes place after the first interview under caution, before the suspect has been formally charged.
Some examples of pre-charge engagement include:
- Asking the suspect to comment on or brainstorm further lines of enquiry.
- Asking the suspect if there is digital material they can provide to support their case.
- Determining keyword searches the suspect would like used to search digital material.
- Getting permission to access the suspect’s medical records if necessary.
- Identifying and providing contact details for witnesses.
How does pre-charge engagement work?
There is no set format for how pre-charge engagement should be carried out. It can be formal or informal, carried out face-to-face or via correspondence. Every discussion that takes place is carefully recorded.
What does a pre-charge solicitor do?
A pre-charge solicitor’s goal is to close the case without any charges made against you. To achieve this, they have many jobs, including:
- Strategist: They seek out additional information that proves your innocence, like further lines of enquiry, new sources of evidence, and potential witnesses. They also look for flaws in the evidence presented already, as well as any legal errors by the investigating and prosecuting teams.
- Advisor: Before your police interviews, they will walk you through your answers and conduct, ensuring you are confident and fully prepared.
- Representative: They will liaise on your behalf with the police or Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), setting up meetings and drafting written representations where necessary.
Benefits of using a pre-charge solicitor
Hiring a solicitor to represent you during pre charge engagement is essential. The benefits include but are not limited to:
- Access to knowledge: Pre charge solicitors are experts in their field. They take on cases because they know they can win them. You will benefit from years of experience across hundreds of cases similar to yours.
- Research and prep time: The fees you pay allow your solicitor to take the time they need to thoroughly research your case and prepare a strong argument for why you shouldn’t be charged.
- Easy communication: As an active participant in the pre charge engagement process, your input is essential. You’ll have access to more frequent communication with your solicitor than those who don’t pay fees.
- Dependability: Your solicitor will learn about your case inside and out, and you’ll always deal with the same team throughout the process.
Why use Holborn Adams for pre-charge representation?
The pre-charge stage is a critical period which can affect the whole outcome of a case. With the right action plan, proceedings can come to an early close, without a single charge made. Choosing the right solicitor firm will save you time, money, and stress.
Holborn Adams has a phenomenal record of success in concluding cases without charge. Our creative, intelligent, and intensive legal strategies leave no stone unturned. We have your best interests at heart and explore all options to save you from unnecessary emotional strain.
With Holborn Adams, you can feel confident.
Here are just some of the areas our criminal defence solicitors can assist with:
- Fraud Offences
- Money Laundering Offences
- Violent Crime
- Road Traffic and Motoring Offences
- Sexual Offences
- Indecent Images Offences
- Drugs Offences
- Regulatory and Disciplinary Offences
- All other Crime
Pre Charge Advice
We are pre-charge experts, bringing cases to a close before any formal charges are made. Read some of our insights below.
Our Fees
Fixed fee defence
Our team will give you a free, no-obligation quote after your initial consultation. We offer a fixed fee service, free of any hidden extra costs. Our firm is exclusively privately-funded meaning we cannot accept any legal aid clients. Your fees secure you a top-tier team and top-tier treatment, covering
Dedicated, experienced legal team.
Ability to get your case dropped before charges.
Representation at interviews and court hearings.
Requests to vary bail conditions where required.
Negotiating with police or prosecutors
Referrals to various support services.
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We’re here to help
Frequently asked questions
Here are some answers to our most commonly asked questions - for tailored support with your case, please call us now for a free initial consultation.
Yes - we are proudly accredited by the two largest governing legal bodies in the UK, the Law Society and Legal 500. We are also regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
We have hundreds of client testimonials listed on our website, in addition to reviews on independent review platforms TrustPilot, Google Reviews, and Review Solicitors.
Every case is different. After your initial consultation, we’ll determine which services are best for your defence, and calculate a fixed fee quote for you. The price depends on the complexity of the case, how long it will take, which team members are best for the case, and whether we need to instruct specialists. We do not charge by the hour - only a fixed fee for your whole defence.
When you phone us, you’ll have an initial consultation with a member of our legal team on a completely confidential basis. They will listen to your case and may ask additional questions to get as much detail as possible so the team can decide whether they are the best fit for you. We cannot give exact costs, a timeline, or suggestions on how to proceed in this initial call.After this, they will give your case details to the rest of the team and someone will be in touch with you with a no-obligation fixed fee quote for representation, and some ideas for next steps (such as pre-charge engagement, police interview representation, and similar). It is then up to you whether you’d like to accept the quote and proceed to formally instruct Holborn Adams.
Yes, your initial phone consultation is free of charge. After this, we will give you a free, no-obligation fixed fee quote for using our services.
Yes, when you call us, your call is 100% confidential.
We have a member of our legal team available to speak 24/7, 365 days a year. Whenever you need to speak to someone, you will be connected instantly. All calls are 100% confidential.
No - we are a 100% privately funded firm, meaning we charge a fixed fee for our services. We do not take on legal aid cases. We find that focusing on private cases only allows us to dedicate more time and resources to defending our clients to a much higher degree than firms who are stretched thin by intense legal aid caseloads.
Yes - and it is our ultimate goal with all cases that come to us pre-charge. We believe in a proactive approach, working with you to build a defence that encourages prosecutors and the CPS to drop the case with no further action. Please speak to us as soon as you become aware there are allegations against you. The earlier you reach out, the better.
To decide whether any firm is best to handle your case, you should be asking yourself some key questions:
- How are they funded? - We are a privately funded firm meaning we take on cases for a fixed fee, with no options for legal aid. Some firms are legal aid only or a mix of private defence and legal aid. For the highest level of attention and case preparation, you are best seeking a 100% private firm like us, as we are not stretched thin by a caseload of Government-funded cases.
- Expertise - Our solicitors have diverse experience defending every type of criminal offence. We are, however, specialists in pre-charge defence, fraud, sexual offences, and regulatory investigations, so if your case falls under these categories, we are confident we can secure the best outcome for you.
- Location - We have offices all over the world. We can travel to you and offer remote conferencing services to make things easiest for you.
- Reviews - Our client testimonials speak for themselves. You’ll see hundreds of glowing reviews on our website, as well as on independent review sites like Review Solicitors, Google Reviews, and TrustPilot.
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Trusted by clients
Top-rated legal defence and client care
Our clients feel supported, not just in their legal defence, but as individuals facing challenging times. We provide expert representation as well as the guidance, emotional support, and resources they need, which is why we consistently receive glowing reviews.
