By instructing me as a Consultant Solicitor, you benefit from direct access to a very experienced specialist without layers of administration or multiple fee earners handling your matter.

Legal services are regulated, and I have the benefit of working through an authorised and regulated solicitors’ firm called Richard Nelson LLP as a Consultant Solicitor. Richard Nelson LLP are a legal 500 and top ranked UK Chambers & Partners firm, they have excellent resources and national reach.

Once I start acting for you, letters and emails will be from me @ Richard Nelson LLP. Richard Nelson LLP will be your solicitors, and I will be the individual Consultant Solicitor handling your matter and helping you when needed.

My dedicated workspace is based in Whitehaven, but I serve clients across Cumbria and the North West. I cover the Western Lake District, Whitehaven, St Bees, Egremont, Workington, Maryport and the North and South Lakes including Carlisle, Penrith, Kendal and Barrow and surrounds.

However, depending on the nature of the matter, I am also able to accept instructions from clients across the country as I can refer you to a suitable solicitor via my consultant firm Richard Nelson LLP who have nationwide reach.

Yes.

Having been an accredited Police Station Representative since 2005, I have extensive experience providing early investigative advice and representation across a wide range of criminal and regulatory matters, including serious violent offences, sexual offences, fraud, licensing and regulatory investigations. I can advise and assist if you are asked to attend a voluntary interview (often referred to as a ‘caution plus three’ interview), or asked to respond to a written interview or request for information from a regulatory body, local authority or other enforcement agency.

I can currently only offer privately funded police station and interview representation. I do not provide any legal aid nor duty solicitor service through Richard Nelson LLP. I can however redirect you to legal aid solicitors within my network who can support.

Where you have been arrested however you are always entitled to request a solicitors assistance and can be provided a free of charge “duty”  solicitor at your first interview which the police will facilitate at the police station. You do not however have to use the duty solicitor and instead can inform the police you wish for your own named solicitor to be contacted.

If you are arrested, under investigation, have received an invitation to attend or respond to an interview, or simply require advice before speaking to an enforcement agency, I strongly urge you to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.

Decisions made during an interview can significantly affect the outcome of an investigation and any future proceedings and having good legal representation is critical.

Yes.

I have extensive high level experience advising and representing children and young people involved in the criminal justice system, from police station interviews through to Youth Court and Crown Court proceedings as well as in the Court of Appeal.

The Youth Court operates very differently from the adult Court, with a greater focus on the welfare and rehabilitation of the young person. I can guide both your child and family/carers through the process, ensuring they understand their rights, options and the potential outcomes at every stage.

Note however I can currently only offer Youth Court representation on a private paying basis providing a personal quality service from start to finish.

Your child is however highly likely to be eligible for legal aid and/or the assistance of a “free” duty solicitor both at the police station and court which I am unable to provide through Richard Nelson LLP but I can redirect you to legal aid solicitors within my local network who may be able to support.

If your child has been arrested, invited for interview or charged with an offence, I recommend seeking legal advice as early as possible, as early intervention can often make a significant difference to the outcome.

I undertake advocacy and representation across all criminal courts (Magistrates and Crown).

As an experienced advocate, I regularly represent clients in the Magistrates’ Court from first appearance through to trial and sentence. I am also a Higher Rights Advocate (all proceedings) which means as well as the Magistrates’ Court I can also represent clients in the Crown Court.

This provides continuity of representation throughout your case, allowing you to work with the same solicitor from the earliest stages of investigation and interview through to trial, sentence and, where appropriate, appeal.

Advocacy is routinely outsourced to barristers at significant cost to clients, however I am often able to conduct both the litigation and all court advocacy myself. This not only provides consistency and familiarity but can also offer a more cost-effective solution for clients in the North West. This is particularly beneficial in Cumbria, where specialist criminal and regulatory counsel are frequently based outside the county, resulting in additional costs and reduced accessibility.

For matters outside the North West, if I cannot assist then I may be able to refer you to an advocate via my consultant firm Richard Nelson LLP who have national reach.

Should a barrister be preferred or required for a particular case, I can advise accordingly and help you secure appropriate representation via my networks. My priority is always ensuring that you receive the best possible outcome and representation for your case.

Yes.

I am an independent Consultant Solicitor.

Although I have extensive experience working on behalf of prosecutors (both CPS and private), regulators and public bodies, my professional duties are solely to my clients. Importantly I also have extensive experience as a defence solicitor and Higher Rights Advocate so I can offer clients a truly unique perspective and strategic insight into the criminal justice system.

As a solicitor, I am bound by the Solicitors Regulation authority’s Code of Conduct and must always act independently, with integrity and in my client’s best interests. Legal services are regulated, and I work through an authorised and regulated solicitors’ firm called Richard Nelson LLP. Once we start acting for you, letters and emails will be from me @ Richard Nelson LLP. Richard Nelson LLP will be your solicitors, and I will be the individual consultant solicitor handling your matter and helping you when needed.

Yes.

One of the benefits of instructing a consultant solicitor is that you will have a single point of contact throughout your case.

In the event that specialist input would benefit your  matter, I will discuss this with you fully and explain all available options before any decisions are made.

No.

When you instruct me, you will deal directly with me throughout your matter. I do not employ or delegate work to trainees, paralegals, police station representatives or unqualified advisers. There may be occasions I advise that we bring a barrister on board for particular specialist skill or expertise but this would be agreed and discussed in advance and only at the appropriate juncture.

This ensures continuity, accountability and a consistently high standard of service.

Legal services are regulated, and I work through an authorised and regulated solicitors’ firm called Richard Nelson LLP. Once we start acting for you, letters and emails will be from Sarrah Kerslake @ Richard Nelson LLP. Richard Nelson LLP will be your solicitors, and I will be the individual consultant solicitor handling your matter and helping you when needed.

I have considerable expertise in Inquest work and able to advise and represent family members who have been designated as Interested Persons. I provide clear guidance and steady support throughout what can be a very difficult and emotional process, helping you navigate each stage of the coronial system with confidence.

I can advise and represent you families at all stages of the inquest, including:

• Reviewing any coroners bundle of evidence and identifying likely issues or concerns
• Advice on preparation of questions or concerns to submit to the Coroner on behalf of the family
• Supporting and advising on any relevant oral submissions
• Attending Pre‑Inquest Review Hearings (PIRHs) where required
• Representing you at the final inquest hearing where required

My role is to ensure families concerns are explored with the Coroner and  advise through each step of the process, and ensure your voice is heard.

I practise coronial and inquest work as a consultant solicitor through Richard Nelson LLP, an authorised and regulated firm. Where helpful, I may liaise with the firm to ensure you receive seamless, well‑supported representation.

Not at this time. Legal services I provide must be delivered through authorised and regulated firms, and I consult and provide legal services through Richard Nelson LLP who undertake private inquest work only. The firm does not hold any legal aid contract, therefore I am unable to accept legally aided inquest matters.

Should you wish to explore legal aid for representation at an inquest, I will do my best to refer you to a suitable firm that can assist you under public funding.

Yes. I can advise and support you with preparing a response to a Prevention of Future Death (PFD) Report issued by the Coroner.

These reports are sent where the Coroner believes action may be needed to prevent similar circumstances arising in the future and will be published along with any response.

A response must be provided within 56 days, and it is important to engage with the process promptly. Early contact allows time to review the Coroner’s concerns, gather any necessary information, and prepare a clear, considered and proportionate response.

I can assist with:

• Understanding the Coroner’s findings and the purpose of the PFD Report
• Requesting and obtaining any relevant papers/documentation from the Coroner that may support and assist with preparation of the response.
• Reviewing the issues raised and identifying any required actions
• Advising on drafting a comprehensive and appropriate public facing response to the PFD.
• Advising on organisational learning, risk management and next steps
• Liaising with your organisation  to ensure a well‑supported reply

If you receive a PFD Report, I encourage you to get in touch as soon as possible to discuss so that I can advise on how I can support to with preparation of your response within the required timeframe and liaise with the Coroner on your behalf.

Yes.

Clients are entitled to request a change of legal representation at any stage of a matter.

The earlier a transfer request takes place, the easier the process is likely to be, so I would encourage you to contact me as soon as possible to discuss your circumstances and
available options.

My practice focuses exclusively on criminal law, regulatory enforcement, licensing and coronial/inquest work.

If you require assistance in another area of law, I may be able to refer either you to a suitable colleague for private representation with Richard Nelson LLP or refer you to a suitable local legal aid firm where eligible in Cumbria.

No.

I cannot offer legal aid services through Richard Nelson LLP and provide a bespoke privately funded legal service only.

However, should Legal Aid potentially be available for your matter, I will endeavour to redirect you through my professional network to a local firm of legal aid solicitors in the North West.

No.

Conditional Fee Agreements (‘No Win, No Fee’) are generally not suitable for the areas of law in which I practise.

I believe clients are best served by transparent and realistic fee arrangements, agreed at the outset, with no surprises. Besides, Lady Justice tends to prefer certainty over speculation.

Transparency is very important to me.

Where appropriate, I will offer fixed-fee services so that you know exactly what your legal costs will be before any work begins. All fees are agreed in advance and confirmed in writing.

In some cases there may be additional costs, such as expert witnesses, forensic analysis or specialist counsel. Where these are likely to arise, I will discuss them with you beforehand and obtain your approval before any expense is incurred.

My aim is to provide high-quality legal representation with complete transparency and no unexpected costs.