Where criminal law comes together.
Our unmissable annual conference brings the profession together to debate, learn and shape the future of criminal justice.
An hour of your time could save you and your team hundreds of hours a year.
Bedrock are holding a live demo and Q&A session on 13 March at 4pm
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The CLSA response to the Consultation on a Proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts (ILCA) Scheme
The Ministry of Justice (“MoJ”) has launched a consultation on a proposed Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts (ILCA) Scheme. The response deadline has been extended until 11:59 pm on 9 March 2026 Key elements of the proposal include: Remittance of interest from...
Help LAPG respond to the MOJ Consultation on an ‘Interest on Lawyers’ Client Accounts’ scheme
We have been contacted by LAPG in relation to the response to the consultation as below. We will be submitting a response on behalf of the CLSA but encourage all members to do the same. We are planning on responding to the MOJ’s consultation on the creation of an...
Criminal Legal Aid: Proposals for Solicitor Fee Scheme Reform – Consultation Response
Criminal Legal Aid: Proposals for Solicitor Fee Scheme Reform - Consultation Response
A Budget That Leaves the Justice System Behind
Wednesday’s Budget offered little comfort - and even less clarity - for those of us working within the criminal justice system. Despite the well-documented crisis facing our courts, prisons, and frontline legal services, there was no mention whatsoever of how the...
MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases
MoJ to remove right to trial by jury for thousands of cases in controversial overhaul | Trial by jury | The Guardian The CLSA is very concerned about the Government’s announcement to remove the right to jury trials for a large proportion of cases. Trial by jury is a...
A New Chapter for the CLSA: Katy Hanson Takes the Chair as Daniel Bonich Passes the Baton
The Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association (CLSA) is delighted to announce that Katy Hanson will take over as Chair, following Daniel Bonich’s five-year tenure leading the association through one of the most turbulent and transformative periods in criminal law. Andrew...
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Criminal Law Trends 2025: What 2026 May Mean for Criminal Defence
By the end of 2025, the UK’s “crime picture” looks less like a single trend line and more like a split-screen: traditional volume crime continues...
CV Tips for Aspiring Criminal Lawyers
Breaking into law is competitive - and your CV is often your first opportunity to show that you understand not just the law, but the reality of...
Bridging the Generational Gap: Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Essential to the Future of Criminal Defence
The criminal justice system faces a demographic challenge that can no longer be ignored: the workforce of criminal defence lawyers is ageing, with...
Ed Cape’s ‘Defending Suspects at the Police Station’ 9th Edition
The ninth edition of the bible that is Ed Cape’s defending suspects at the police station has just been published. This is core reading for anyone...
An Interview with Katy Hanson
As the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association enters a pivotal period for the profession, newly appointed Chair Katy Hanson steps into the role with...
A Budget That Leaves the Justice System Behind
Wednesday’s Budget offered little comfort - and even less clarity - for those of us working within the criminal justice system. Despite the...
The Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association represents criminal law solicitors throughout England and Wales.
Your representative body when times are tough.
The CLSA is the only organisation dedicated to representing criminal defence solicitors in England and Wales. For over 30 years we have championed our members’ interests – engaging directly with the Ministry of Justice, responding to legislative proposals and representing the profession on key consultative bodies.
Our ambition is simple: to have every criminal law solicitor in England and Wales as a member, strengthening the collective voice of the profession when it matters most.
Membership also connects you to a strong professional community, with an active email group, online network, member discounts, webinars and our popular annual conference.