Our team

A  founding director of the  firm set up to deal with exclusively criminal defence work.

Has a wealth of experience in all areas of criminal law having been in charge of the criminal department at his former firm.

Over the last 20 years has built up a strong own client base.

Has been involved in highly complex murder, fraud and serious violence cases. He is well respected amongst the legal profession and has a good relationship with senior counsel especially at Counsels’ chambers used by the firm.

Noted for his attention to detail and preparation especially in complicated cases or those requiring a  systematic approach and appears daily in the Magistrates Court.

Specialist in all aspects of criminal and road traffic law, appearing at the police station, Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court

Duty solicitor at the Magistrates’ Court Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme

Noted for serious and complex crime

Ranked in the Legal 500 Guide as a “Recommended Lawyer”

Simon is one of the founder directors of the firm when a firm devoted exclusively to criminal defence work was set up.

He is an extremely experienced Magistrates’ Court advocate appearing daily in Court over the last 20 years.

A specialist in all aspects of criminal law  and undertakes work at the Police Station, Magistrates Court and the Crown Court.

Simon’s work is mainly based on his vast number of existing clients or new clients based on recommendation. Particularly noted for his tenacity and fighting to get the best result for clients

He is currently defending in cases of high value fraud and organised major drug conspiracies. and other such serious cases.

He has also been involved in a number of high profile cases in Essex and throughout the UK, including, Government Contractor Fraud and Football Violence, murder, manslaughter and allegations involving firearms.

He is noted for his common sense approach and resolving issues in a common sense manner.

Qualified Duty Solicitor at the Magistrates Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.

Noted for serious and complex crime

Ranked in the Legal 500 Guide as a “Recommended Lawyer”

‘Simon Samuels has a wonderful manner with clients which puts them very much at ease. He is able to distil quickly and effectively the important issues in a case, and to explain them clearly and simply.’ – Legal 500

‘Simon Samuels is a legend among Essex solicitors and clients.’ – Legal 500

A director of the firm Ian heads the Crown Court department of the firm and has been with the firm since the beginning.

Having been appointed a Higher Court Advocate (Crime) in 2007 he regularly appears in the Crown Court conducting serious cases across the spectrum and in particular offences of violence.

Noted for his work in serious and complex crime, he regularly leads in cases including; major drug supply conspiracies, murder, sexual offences and trafficking and organised crime cases.

Duty Solicitor for the Magistrates Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme

Member of Solicitors Association of Higher Court Advocates

Specialist in all aspects of criminal and road traffic law

Ranked in the Legal 500 Guide as a “Recommended Lawyer”

‘Ian Clift is a dedicated and canny lawyer. He is tactically astute and gets the big decisions right, from arrest and interview, right the way throughout the life of a case.’ – Legal 500

‘Ian Clift is highly professional as well as empathetic.’ – Legal 500

Beth is a Director of the firm and an experienced advocate who appears daily in the Magistrates’ Court dealing with all aspects of Criminal law. The majority of Beth’s work stems from own client requests and referrals directly to her.

As well as daily appearances before the Magistrates Court, Beth regularly deals with serious and complex Crown Court cases.

Beth has defended clients accused of serious violent offences to include Murder and Attempted Murder, representation of professional people accused of serious sexual offences in a position of trust, allegations of rape and serious assaults.

Currently involved in defending a high value conspiracy to Defraud and a large nationwide conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Duty Solicitor for the Magistrates’ Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.

The newest of the firm’s directors having originally started her training with the firm.

Carly was appointed Higher Court Advocate (Crime) in 2014 and now regularly appears in both the Magistrates and Crown Court dealing with all aspects of criminal law.

Carly is also our Deputy Crown Court Manager.

Carly specialises in complex and serious crime.  She regularly leads in cases of murder, serious sexual offences and drugs supply cases.

Duty Solicitor for the Magistrates’ Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.

“Carly Denniss   – the real star of the team. Quick legal mind. Bottomless enthusiasm. In a recent case where a man with mental health difficulties killed a child and ran over several others she demonstrated calm under intense media exposure. She got on with the legal work. She adapted client conferences to Covid restrictions superbly. She is the definition of “can do” “- Legal 500

Carly was appointed an Associate Director in 2021 and is Joint Head of our Magistrates Trials Department.

Carly joined this Firm in 2012 and completed her training, Carly is  a Duty Solicitor.

Carly appears daily in the Magistrates Court and is one of our lead Magistrates Trial Advocates.

Carly is noted for her forthright and robust advocacy but remains patient and sympathetic to her clients.  As such she has built a local client base and has many direct personal referrals.

She conducts a large, fast paced case load and had dealt with a range of cases including murder, attempted murder and serious violence.

Duty Solicitor for the Magistrates’ Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme

Ciara was appointed an Associate Director in 2021 and is Joint Head of our Magistrates Trials Department.

Having joined the firm in 2016, Ciara completed her training contract with the firm and is a Duty Solicitor.

Ciara regularly appears before the Court and is a keen Trial advocate.

She is noted for her excellent organisation and for paying thorough attention to detail in case preparation.

She runs a complex case load covering cases such as murder and other serious violent offences, fraud and multi-handed conspiracies.

Duty Solicitor for the Magistrates’ Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme

Amie was admitted as a Solicitor in 2020.

She started with the firm as paralegal  and is now a  Duty Solicitor.

Duty Solicitor for the Magistrates Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme

Amie has previously worked for the Serious Fraud Office.

Zoe was admitted as a Solicitor in 2020.

Having joined as a paralegal in 2017, Zoe is now a Duty Solicitor.

Duty Solicitor for the Magistrates Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation.

A solicitor working in the Magistrates Court team and involved in preparation of complicated cases and appears regularly in Court

Prior to working for JSP, she completed her Training Contract at, a London based firm specialising in high value Fraud and Proceeds of Crime cases.

Duty Solicitor for the Magistrates’ Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme and is a Higher Court Advocate (Crime)

Fatimah joined the firm as a paralegal and completed her training contract with the firm.

Duty Solicitor for the Magistrates’ Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme

George was admitted as a Solicitor in 2022  having joined the firm in 2018 as a para legal.

Duty Solicitor for the Magistrates’ Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.

Sam was admitted as a Solicitor in 2022.

Having graduated in Law in 2017 she then completed her Bar Course and a Masters in Legal Practice.

Sam joined us as a Trainee Solicitor in 2019.

Sam was then formally called to the Bar in 2020.

Duty Solicitor for the Magistrates’ Court and Police Station Criminal Litigation Accreditation Scheme.

Aqsa joined the firm in 2022 and is a Trainee Solicitor.

She is also an Accredited Police Station Representative.

Chloe joined the firm in 2022 and is a Trainee Solicitor.

Chloe is also an Accredited Police Station Representative.

Alex joined the firm in 2022 and is a Trainee Solicitor.

Alex is also an Accredited Police Station Representative.

Elisha joined the firm in 2017 and is a Paralegal and Accredited Police Station Representative.

She is regularly involved in preparation of Magistrates Trial and Crown Court case preparation.

Jodi is a paralegal assisting in Police Station and Court attendances.

Jodi is also an Accredited Police Station Representative.

Natalia is a paralegal who joined the firm in 2023.