Pictured above: Andrew Coley
Local solicitors' firm Ellis-Fermor & Negus is pleased to
announce the qualification of Crime solicitor Andrew Coley with
Higher Rights of Audience.
This means he is now able to represent clients facing serious
offences in the Crown Court or on appeal to the High Court. This
will enable clients to instruct Andrew throughout proceedings, from
Police station attendance to Jury Trial or beyond.
Andrew Coley joined the firm's Long Eaton branch in 2003. He has
defended clients in a wide variety of cases of Criminal and
Regulatory Law including a number of serious criminal offences
including murder, rape, arson with intent to endanger life, drugs
and firearms offences. Whilst all solicitors can act as advocates
in such cases before a Magistrates Court, once they are transferred
to the Crown Court rights of audience are restricted to Barristers
and those solicitors who can demonstrate the required standards of
advocacy.
Andrew said "A number of my clients have asked me to continue
dealing with their cases in the Crown Court and until now, I have
been limited in what I can deal with. However, I will now be able
to offer our clients the choice of instructing me to deal
personally with the case from start to finish, which will have the
advantage that I have a full knowledge of their case."
Andrew is used to carrying out complex advocacy in the
Magistrates' Courts where clients have been grateful for his
thoughtful and structured approach in acting for them. He has
recently seen an increasing number of cases defending motorists who
fall foul of the law.
David Negus, a consultant to the Firm in the Commercial and
Litigation Department has held Higher Rights of Audience in the
Civil Courts since 2006. He commented "it is unusual for a
firm of our size to have solicitors with Higher Audience rights in
both criminal and civil cases, and demonstrates the commitment we
have always given to advocacy in our clients' cases".
In his spare time Andrew is a sports enthusiast and loves
playing five a side football and badminton. He fanatically supports
non - league Hinckley United FC, hoping one day that they might
make it to professional football! He also attends Trent Vineyard
Church in Nottingham.
For more information on Ellis-Fermor & Negus view their
website here:
www.ellis-fermor.co.uk