Old Bailey Solicitors

Affray Solicitors in London

Specialist Affray Solicitors London

If you’ve been accused of affray in London, you need experienced criminal defence solicitors who understand both the law and the pressures of facing prosecution in the capital.
Old Bailey Solicitors’ team of affray solicitors in London are specialists in defending individuals accused of public order offences – offering calm, strategic advice at every stage of your case.

Our London affray defence lawyers will explore every possible line of defence, including:

Self-defence or defence of another
Mistaken identity or unreliable witness testimony
Insufficient evidence or lack of intent
Duress or acting under threat

We also secure expert evidence and detailed witness statements to support your position, challenging the prosecution’s case from the start.

If you need fast, expert advice from affray solicitors in London, contact us on 0207 846 1645.

Our skills also include the defence of criminal allegations relating to:

Our expertise includes defending allegations of:

What is Affray?

Affray is a public order offence under Section 3 of the Public Order Act 1986. It occurs when a person uses or threatens unlawful violence that would cause a bystander of reasonable firmness to fear for their safety.
Even if no one else was present, the test is what a hypothetical onlooker would have felt in that situation.

Affray can take place in public or private settings and is classed as an either-way offence — meaning it can be heard in the Magistrates’ Court or the Crown Court, depending on its seriousness.

Penalties for affray are significant: a maximum of three years’ imprisonment, a fine, or a community order, depending on the level of violence and any previous convictions.

Affray vs Other Public Order Offences

Affray is distinct from other public order offences such as:

Common Assault or Battery, which involve lower-level violence
Violent Disorder, which requires three or more people using or threatening violence together
Threatening Behaviour or Section 4/5 Public Order Act offences, which involve verbal threats or disorderly conduct

Understanding these differences can make a major difference to the strategy and eventual outcome of your case.

Bespoke advice, when you need it the most

Our team of Affray Solicitors London achieve the best possible outcome for our clients.

Common scenarios in London

Our London affray solicitors regularly defend clients charged following incidents such as:

Fights or confrontations in busy nightlife areas like Soho, Shoreditch or Clapham
Disputes at football matches, pubs, or on public transport
Protests or demonstrations where police allege threatening behaviour
Driving offences occurring under the pressure of navigating traffic in the capital
Street altercations captured on CCTV or mobile phone footage

Because of London’s high density and extensive surveillance network, affray cases here often involve multiple witnesses, CCTV evidence, and social media footage. That’s why early expert representation is essential.

How our expert Affray Solicitors in London can help

We are ranked Band 1 (the highest band) by Chambers & Partners – a directory of the top performing law firms in the country – for our criminal defence expertise in London and the South East.

When you instruct Old Bailey Solicitors, you get immediate access to:

24-hour police station representation anywhere in Greater London
Expert review of evidence including CCTV, witness statements and forensic reports
Assessment of whether the alleged behaviour truly meets the legal test for affray
Strong mitigation and negotiation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
Clear, practical advice on potential sentences and the best route forward

Our lawyers appear daily at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Croydon Magistrates’ Court, Southwark Crown Court and across London’s criminal courts. We have decades of combined experience handling public order and violent offences throughout the capital.

“From the outset, Jibran demonstrated a clear grasp of the legal issues at hand, quickly identifying the key points relating to the allegations made against me. He provided calm, clear, and pragmatic guidance throughout — including during the interview under caution and in the weeks that followed. His advice was always measured, confident, and rooted in a strong understanding of both procedure and strategy.

Jibran also liaised directly with the investigating officers on my behalf and remained consistently contactable and responsive throughout the process — which provided significant reassurance. The investigation ultimately concluded with the police taking no further action on both counts.

I would highly recommend Jibran Mirza to anyone in need of a focused, dependable, and highly capable solicitor in criminal matters. His professionalism and support made a difficult experience far more manageable.”

Client 2024

Contact our Affray Solicitors London

Our specialist criminal defence solicitors in London can provide you support at any time of the day or night, so please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Old Bailey Solicitors

20 Old Bailey

London EC4M 7AN

Phone: 0207 846 1645
Email: [email protected]

How to find us

Arriving by train

We are around 5 minutes’ walk from City Thameslink station and St Paul’s Underground station (on the Central line), and around 10 minutes’ from Holborn Station (on the Central and Piccadilly lines) and Blackfriars Station (on the Circle and District lines).

Arriving by bus

We are on a number of bus routes, including the 8, 25, 46, 521, N8, N25 and N242.

Arriving by car

There are several car parks nearby, including Baynard House and Queen Street Car Park.

Accessibility

We are committed to providing an accessible environment for every client, so if you have any specific accessibility needs, please get in touch so we can discuss how we can accommodate you.