Boasting a team of 'immense strength and talent' and also well-equipped to run litigation in the digital age through an excellent use of technology, Blackfords LLP is well-versed at handling a wide array of criminal matters, from serious frauds and environment cases to magistrates' trials, 'dealing with each with the same level of devoted care regardless of method of funding'. Noted for his 'mental dexterity', team head Philip Williams provides 'sterling advice' to individuals and businesses across a range of white collar/fraud cases, in particular, where clients benefit from his 'encyclopaedic knowledge of regulatory law'. Noted for her ability to provide 'calm and sensible advice', solicitor Nicola Mitchard is also well-versed in handling fraud matters as well as cases relating to drugs, murder and sexual offences. 'An absolute star in the making', chartered legal executive Annie Lawrence  is also a key member of the team and is 'particularly experienced in fraud and valuable in detail-heavy cases’.

The 'approachable and well-informed' team at Bowden Jones Solicitors has a 'wealth of experience' across a range of criminal matters for private and corporate clients, as well as for those with inadequate financial means through its work on the Legal Aid Agency's "Very High Cost Case Panel". White-collar defence work is a strength, both in cases brought by the police, as well as in a private prosecution context - as is the case in a current ongoing matter relating to alleged crypto currency fraud. One of several in the team with higher rights of audience, Huw Bowden is appreciated for his 'great advocacy skills' and provides 'thoughtful and insightful advice' to clients engaged in a myriad disputes, including his work before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and Specialist Prosecutors’ Office regarding alleged war crimes committed during the Kosovo conflict. Stephen Jones has significant experience at handling serious fraud and white collar crime defence work, and is also noted for his cyber law prowess.

Praised by counsel for its 'thorough preparation of cases' and its 'exceptional client care' - which extends to attending the Crown Court for hearings - de Maids Solicitors & Advocates has a 'long established reputation' for handling the defence of crime at all levels, from summary only offences to long and complex fraud cases and multi-handed serious crime cases. Recognised by one instructed barrister as the 'premier solicitor in this field in Wales', team head Matthew de Maid 's 'input into any case is always pertinent and valuable'. In addition, his leadership skills also filter through to the rest of the 'hardworking' team, which includes head of the prison department Sarah De Maid and Stephen Jones, who continues to regularly represent clients accused of a variety of serious allegations, including murder, manslaughter, drug supply and fraud.

M & M Solicitors provides a 'high-quality service' to clients in the defence of high value fraud and financial crime cases, murder, drugs conspiracy and serious sexual offences. 'Relentless in the pursuit of not guilty verdicts for the clients', much of the firm's success and growing recognition in the market can be attributed to the work and leadership of 'excellent tactician' Nadeem Majid, who 'is always ready to take the right steps at the right time to drive the case towards success'. Majid has particular knowledge of white-collar crime and is able to offer a unique perspective to clients, in part by his former role as a prosecutor for Financial Services Authority (now the FCA). 'Detail focused and dedicated', Mike Prosser also has vast experience at handling serious fraud allegations, while at the more junior end of the scale, solicitor Craig Bond  'provides attractive but lawyerly national advocacy cover for the firm's many private clients'. 

Somewhat of an anomaly in the ranking, Hugh James largely focuses on regulatory and business crime matters, as opposed to conventional crime and fraud. In this context, while it does handle some defence work for existing corporate clients of the firm, the focus remains on prosecution matters for public sector clients including local authorities and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency. The 'extremely knowledgeable' Justin Davies handles much of this and is best-known for his representation of the South Wales Fire & Rescue Service on its fire safety prosecution work, an area that he conducts  his own advocacy. Regulatory head Martin Jones  is the key contact for defence work, including in the context of fraud, money laundering and financial regulation matters.

Martyn Prowel Solicitors provides 'realistic and clear advice' to defendants across a broad range of criminal offences including, murder, serious and complex fraud, large conspiracies involving drugs and other offences, and historical sexual abuse. As well as handling privately funded matters, much of the workflow is legally aided, with the firm's inclusion on the Very High Costs Cases Panel regularly eliciting some very complex and document heavy mandates. The 'exceptionally experienced' Aled Watkins is one of many in the team with higher rights of audience and in the course of his career has been involved in a myriad cases before English and Welsh courts, including as it relates to terrorism and money laundering. James Lynch, who co-heads the team alongside Watkins and Lynda Rhead , is also a pivotal member of the team and his role as ‘Level A’ Litigator in Very High Cost Cases has seen him involved in many interesting legally aided cases. At an associate level, James Harris  is 'always thoroughly prepared and aware of the details in the case', including as it relates to benefit fraud.

Different from most of the traditional and often more regional offerings in the ranking, Morgan LaRoche has a UK-wide offering on behalf of independent (early years) education and adult social care providers across a range of regulatory compliance and enforcement matters. Team head Andrew Manners is responsible for developing this practice, work which he combines with a niche offering in financial crime-related private prosecution defence.

At Llanelli-based firm Gomer Williams & Co, Laura Sherwood heads up a 'good young team' that is adept at handling a wide range of criminal defence work, including as it relates to fraud and sexual offences. In this regard, clients are very effectively represented throughout the life cycle of their case, including at the police station, the Magistrates and Crown Court.