Jen Law
Partner
Bideford lawyer Jen Law heads up Slee Blackwell's Family Law department.
We provide specialist legal advice and representation on a range of criminal offences, offering assistance from the start of a criminal investigation at the police station all the way through to any court hearings that may follow. We can see you at a police station if an arrest has been made or where a voluntary interview under caution has been arranged.
If matters proceed to a hearing, then we can represent you in all the criminal courts; including the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court, Youth Court and the Court of Appeal and the Administrative Court.
Because we do not undertake legal aid work for criminal law, all our criminal defence work is undertaken on a privately funded basis, where our services can be tailored to suit your individual needs and budget. This enables us to focus on the key legal and evidential issues that are central to your case. And crucially, it means we can dedicate the appropriate resources to securing the best possible outcome for you without being limited by public funding restrictions.
Most people agree that when it comes to criminal law, particularly offences that can result in a prison sentence or professional or reputational damage, it is worth paying for specialist legal advice. We are always happy to have an initial chat free of charge and review the options available to you.
We have been representing clients facing criminal prosecutions for two decades and have therefore built up a wealth of experience across a range of criminal offences. We regularly deal with cases involving drugs and alcohol, drink driving, violence, driving offences including ‘exceptional hardship’ and ‘totting up’ disqualification arguments, public order matters, changes to bail conditions, domestic violence, sexual offences, and regulatory issues. We also handle applications to discharge Sexual Harm Prevention Orders.
We are entirely independent, but enjoy a constructive working relationship with local police, courts and prosecutors, which often enables us to achieve a desired outcome.
Our criminal defence work is all privately funded. We do not undertake legal aid.
We will provide you with a clear and detailed estimate of the likely legal costs before we commence working for you.
We are always happy to work to a specified budget and can tailor what we do to your specific requirements.
We have produced a range of cost estimates in relation to some common driving offences, details of which can be found here.
We enjoy a well-earned reputation for offering quality legal advice and representation in this specialist field. Team leader Jen Law has appeared on BBC Radio Devon to explain the law relating to public order offences following a call for MPs to be given greater protection from harassment and abuse.
A drink driving conviction can have serious and far-reaching consequences. In addition to the immediate impact on your ability to drive, it can affect your employment, family life, finances, and future opportunities. If you are facing an allegation of drink driving or a related motoring offence, obtaining specialist legal advice at the earliest opportunity is essential.
In most drink driving cases, the court is required to impose a minimum 12-month driving disqualification following conviction. Depending on the circumstances, the court may also impose a fine, a community order or, in the most serious cases, a custodial sentence.
For many people, the loss of a driving licence can be particularly damaging, affecting their ability to work, care for family members, or meet everyday commitments.
Our experienced criminal defence team, led by solicitor and partner Jen Law, can advise and represent you in relation to a wide range of motoring offences, including drink driving, drug driving, failing to provide a specimen and related road traffic offences. We will carefully examine the evidence, including the circumstances of any roadside stop, breath, blood or urine testing procedures, and identify any issues that may affect the prosecution’s case.
We can also advise on ‘exceptional hardship’ arguments, ‘special reasons applications’ and other circumstances that may reduce the impact of a disqualification or sentence.
Throughout the process, we provide clear, practical guidance and robust representation, ensuring that your rights are protected and that every available defence or mitigating factor is properly explored. Whether you are under investigation, have been charged with an offence or have received a court summons, we are here to guide you through the process and help achieve the best possible outcome.
Allegations of assault, violent crime, and public order offences can have serious consequences, including criminal convictions, fines, restraining orders, and imprisonment. If you are being investigated or prosecuted, it is essential to obtain expert legal advice as early as possible and to understand your rights throughout the process.
Violent offence cases often arise from fast-moving and highly charged situations, where there may be conflicting witness accounts, limited evidence, or important context that has not been properly considered by the police. Jen Law is an experienced criminal defence solicitor. She will carefully examine the evidence, identify weaknesses in the prosecution case and ensure that your account is fully and fairly presented.
We regularly advise clients facing allegations including common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm (ABH), grievous bodily harm (GBH), affray, violent disorder, threatening behaviour and other public order offences.
We can also provide specialist advice where issues of self-defence, defence of another person, prevention of crime or reasonable force arise.Claims of self-defence can be legally complex and often depend on a detailed analysis of the circumstances, including what the defendant honestly believed at the time and whether the force used was reasonable in the situation as they perceived it. Early legal advice can be crucial in preserving evidence and building a strong defence.
Whether you have been invited to attend a voluntary police interview, arrested, charged or summoned to court, we will guide you through every stage of the process, providing clear advice, robust representation and practical support aimed at achieving the best possible outcome.
Drug and firearms offences are treated extremely seriously by the courts and can result in substantial fines, criminal records and lengthy custodial sentences. If you are under investigation or facing prosecution, obtaining specialist legal advice at an early stage is essential.
In drug-related cases, the distinction between simple possession and the far more serious offence of possession with intent to supply can often be crucial. The prosecution may seek to rely on factors such as the quantity of drugs involved, packaging, cash, mobile phone evidence or messages found on electronic devices. Jen Law and her team will carefully review the evidence, challenge assumptions made by the prosecution, and ensure that all relevant explanations and mitigating circumstances are properly considered.
We also provide expert representation in relation to firearms offences, including allegations involving the possession, use, transfer or manufacture of prohibited weapons. These cases frequently involve complex legal and evidential issues and are regarded by the courts as among the most serious criminal offences. Convictions can carry mandatory minimum sentences and significant terms of imprisonment.
Whether you are facing a police investigation, have been invited to attend a voluntary interview, or have already been charged with an offence, we can provide clear, practical advice and robust representation throughout the process. Our aim is to protect your rights, challenge the prosecution’s case wherever appropriate and achieve the best possible outcome in what can be life-changing circumstances.
A Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) can impose significant restrictions on an individual’s daily life, employment, travel, internet use, and personal relationships. If you are subject to an SHPO, it is important to understand that the order is not necessarily fixed for its entire duration. In certain circumstances, it may be possible to apply to have the order varied, renewed or discharged.
Jen Law is an SRA regulated criminal defence solicitor who specialises in varying and discharging SHPOs.
In England and Wales, applications to vary, renew or discharge a Sexual Harm Prevention Order are governed by the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Depending on the circumstances, an application can be made to the court that originally imposed the order, or to the Crown Court where appropriate.
Whether an application is likely to succeed will depend on a number of factors, including the terms of the order, the reasons it was imposed, compliance with its conditions, the passage of time and any changes in circumstances since the order was made.
Given the potentially serious consequences of breaching an SHPO, it is essential to obtain specialist legal advice from a solicitor like Jen Law before taking any action. She will review the terms of the order, assess the merits of an application, and advise on the most appropriate course of action.
Contact Jen for a confidential discussion about your circumstances.
Regulatory offences can be highly complex, often involving detailed legislation, technical evidence and investigations by public bodies such as local authorities, the Health and Safety Executive, the Environment Agency and other regulatory agencies. If you are facing investigation or prosecution, obtaining specialist legal advice at an early stage is essential.
Jen Law and her team provide expert advice and representation in relation to a wide range of regulatory offences, including planning enforcement matters, animal welfare offences, health and safety prosecutions, environmental offences and breaches of regulatory requirements affecting businesses and individuals.
These cases frequently involve extensive documentation, expert reports, and complicated legal frameworks. Whether the allegation concerns a breach of planning law, failure to comply with animal welfare standards, or an alleged health and safety violation, a thorough understanding of the relevant regulations and enforcement procedures is crucial.Our experienced criminal defence team will carefully examine the evidence, advise on your legal position and develop a robust strategy to protect your interests.
We can assist at every stage of the process, from responding to investigations and attending interviews under caution through to defending prosecutions in the Magistrates’ Court, Crown Court or other tribunals.
Regulatory offences can result in significant financial penalties, disqualification orders, reputational damage and, in some cases, imprisonment. We are committed to providing clear, practical advice and effective representation to help clients navigate these often complex and high-stakes proceedings and achieve the best possible outcome.
Facing investigation for a sexual offence can be one of the most frightening and stressful experiences a person can encounter. The consequences of an allegation can be immediate and far-reaching, affecting your reputation, family life, employment, and future, even before any charge is brought.
Whether the allegation relates to a recent incident or an event said to have occurred many years ago, it is vital to obtain expert legal advice at the earliest opportunity. Sexual offence cases are often complex and highly sensitive, involving detailed evidence, digital material, witness accounts and specialist legal issues.
We provide discreet, professional, and robust representation for clients facing investigation or prosecution for a wide range of sexual offences. We understand the immense pressure these cases place on individuals and their families, and we are committed to protecting your rights at every stage of the process.
Our experienced criminal defence team can advise and represent you during police interviews, investigations, charging decisions, court proceedings and appeals. We will carefully analyse the evidence, challenge weaknesses in the prosecution case and ensure that you receive clear, practical guidance throughout.
If you are being investigated for a sexual offence, or have been asked to attend a voluntary police interview, do not delay in seeking legal advice. Early intervention can be crucial in protecting your position and achieving the best possible outcome.
If you are under police investigation, have been released on bail, or are awaiting a charging decision, obtaining specialist legal advice at the earliest opportunity can make a significant difference to the outcome of your case. Early intervention allows you to understand your rights, respond appropriately to requests from the police, and take proactive steps to protect your position.
Being released on police bail can be highly stressful, particularly where restrictive bail conditions affect your family life, employment, travel, or day-to-day activities. In some circumstances, it may be possible to apply for bail conditions to be changed or removed. Jen Law and her team can advise on the merits of such an application, prepare representations on your behalf and guide you through the process.
We also provide expert pre-charge advice to individuals who are under investigation but have not yet been charged with an offence. This stage of a criminal investigation is often critical. Careful preparation, strategic legal advice and timely representations to the police or Crown Prosecution Service can sometimes influence the direction of an investigation and help ensure that relevant evidence and legal arguments are properly considered before a charging decision is made.
Whether you have been invited to attend a voluntary interview, arrested and released under investigation, granted bail with conditions, or notified that a charging decision is pending, our experienced criminal defence team can provide clear, practical advice tailored to your circumstances.
We understand the uncertainty that accompanies a police investigation and are committed to protecting your rights, challenging unnecessary restrictions, and helping you navigate the process with confidence. Early legal advice is often one of the most important steps you can take in safeguarding your future.
Please contact our team if you have any questions about this area of law.
Bideford lawyer Jen Law heads up Slee Blackwell's Family Law department.