Shaw Graham Kersh was established in 1999 by Raymond Shaw, Paul Graham and Daniel Kersh operating from offices in Dean Street in Soho. From the outset the firm was a dedicated criminal defence firm, conducting predominantly legal aid work, with Philip Hill quickly joining the partnership.  The firm chose to remain a small, close, personal operation, swiftly building a reputation for ‘punching above its weight’. In 2007 the firm moved to offices in Great Marlborough Street.

In 2023 the firm reconstituted as Shaw Graham Kersh LLP, moving to new offices at 9 Holborn in the heart of legal London. The new firm is now run by Raymond Shaw and fellow partner Madeleine Corr. Paul and Philip now operate as consultants to the new firm and Danny is now a barrister at 189 Fleet Street.

The firm prides itself in offering a consistently high level of service and client care, and a positive environment for lawyers that allows them to develop their skills and practices. Most of the lawyers at the firm have been with the firm for more than 10 years, with a number involved for 20 or more years.

‘More human than lawyer’ is a comment we have heard over the years and have taken as a compliment. The firm has consistently received accolades for client care. Staffed by solicitors who care about their clients, the firm offers a quality of representation and commitment that has resulted in public accolades including most recently inclusion in the Times Best Law Firms. Established as a publicly funded firm, the lawyers at SGK have a deep-seated commitment to all clients, irrespective of their background. This commitment has led to loyal clients and a consistent stream of referrals from former clients and fellow professionals, usually lawyers conducting non-criminal work.

Whilst private practice has grown, the firm has been determined to retain its legal aid work. This hybrid approach gives the firm a distinctive quality and a cutting-edge advantage. Where some firms have few cases going to trial, or conduct a very narrow case mix, through our publicly funded work we maintain an awareness of every new development in criminal law. This includes awareness of CPS and police tactics across the full range of offences. Our lawyers are also trained, and have experience in, the legal trenches of trial work. When we make representations pre-charge, or advise at the police station, our experience of trials provides us with a deep understanding of how our advice may impact proceedings should the case go to court. Today, the firm continues to act for people of all backgrounds, from CEOs to gang members, IFAs to children.

Our lawyers tend to stay at the firm for a long time – we know one another’s strengths; we have depth of experience and work well as a team. 

Chambers and Partners 2025

"They are a really excellent firm. They are versatile and can work on a variety of cases including very serious work and provide a very good level of client care."

Legal 500 2025

"A fantastic firm - particularly for private clients looking for a universally excellent service. Reliable and recommended."

"Ray Shaw is a stand-out individual."

"Raymond Shaw is very polished and professional. His years of experience are clear in the way he conducts his litigation."

"Madeleine Corr is an absolutely stand-out practitioner, with a focus on client care and engaged with all legal and tactical aspects of a case. A true powerhouse of a lawyer."

"They are an extremely committed legal aid firm and put real heart into representing their clients."

"They are an all-round first-class team. They are always ahead of the game."

"Shaw Graham Kersh are a longstanding London defence firm offering a top-notch service in legal aid and private work. They have real talent across all of their lawyers and unlike many such firms commit a high level of resources to their cases. They are excellent lawyers and add real value to their preparation of cases."

Chambers and Partners 2024

"They are fully committed, from police station to appeal, and they are very hands on. Clients get a really good service from them."

"They are quick in how they move things along and great at identifying procedural issues."

"I was impressed by their level of preparation and felt that they really cared about their client.”

"Their client care is excellent and they provide really useful and clear instructions that always focus in on the right issues."

Legal 500 2024

"They have a well-rounded team who can take any kind of work and take it to the highest instances."

"A very strong practice across the spectrum of criminal law. It is a relatively small team made up primarily of very experienced solicitors. As a result, the quality is excellent and very partner led."

"Madeleine Corr is a star. She is approachable, tactical, and absolutely on top of the brief. A real joy to work with and deservedly a recently made partner."

"SGK has always punched above its weight. A boutique firm that has successfully competed with global law firms in private criminal work"

"An extremely impressive and professional firm offering a bespoke service to all clients. Each case will be prepared in detail, thoroughly and fantastically presented from Magistrates Court to appellate level, if necessary. Partners and paralegals work closely with counsel at all stages, which provides lay clients with a real team effort and sense of security."

"They are an extremely well run and committed firm who care passionately about their clients. The office exudes warmth and friendliness. They have maintained a very high-level of service to their clients for many years"

Chambers and Partners 2023

"Shaw Graham Kersh houses a strong bench of experienced criminal practitioners who act extensively for both private and publicly funded clients. They are adept at handling matters concerning complex criminal conspiracies, including people trafficking, gang-related violence and large-scale drug investigations. The team also demonstrates expertise in cases that involve young defendants as well as those with mental health issues."

"There is great experience across all levels at Shaw Graham Kersh, with some outstanding individuals. Their work is well considered and meticulously prepared."

"Their client care goes above and beyond and they make sure everything is running smoothly for them."

"Raymond Shaw maintains a strong criminal defence practice which includes representing clients facing serious allegations of violence and attempted murder. He heads the private client criminal defence team at Shaw Graham Kersh."

"Raymond is excellent, methodical, very thorough, and very engaging."

"Philip Hill is a criminal defence practitioner who has particular experience in handling large drugs cases, as well as matters concerning violent crimes."

"Philip is a very experienced and capable lawyer who knows the law and the courtroom in a way that puts his clients in the best position possible."

Legal 500 2023 "The quality of the solicitors, the advice and the service at SGK is outstanding. With such a breadth of experience in the firm, this really is where I would go if I was in trouble."

"Raymond Shaw is an individual who is all over his briefs. He brings insight, lines of enquiry together with providing leadership and strategic input into the most difficult and largest of cases."

"Philip Hill is second to none in forging a relationship of trust and confidence with his clients. He is completely client focused and a real fighter who is utterly committed to achieving the best outcome for his clients."

"SGK are an excellent criminal firm. Their reputation is well deserved and their place in serious and high profile trials unsurprising."

"Paul Graham is a very experienced and capable criminal solicitor. His judgment is second to none and his clients reap the benefits."

"Raymond Shaw is an outstanding solicitor. A giant brain on criminal law."

"Madeleine Corr – good judgement and engages with clients excellently."

Chambers and Partners 2022

"Raymond Shaw is a good defence lawyer who shows judgement, confidence and clear thinking." "He demonstrates excellent client care and superb attention to detail. He is an excellent tactician who provides sensible pragmatic advice."

"Paul Graham is an exceptionally able and experienced solicitor who is careful, thorough and efficient. He takes a strategic approach from the very beginning of a case, puts clients at ease and has a positive cooperative approach with counsel."

"I would always recommend Phil - you just know he will always go the right way about a matter." "He is very personable and good with clients."

Legal 500 2022

“Raymond Shaw – a highly experienced litigator who is diligent, creative and devoted to his clients. He is a pleasure to work with and is tactically astute.”

“Philip Hill is an outstanding solicitor. He is extremely hard-working, knows his cases back-to-front and there is nobody better with clients. His kindness and sensitivity is widely recognised.”

Legal 500 2021

‘High level of commitment to meeting the needs of clients and providing a high quality of service whether privately or publicly funded. Particular expertise in private client criminal work. Consistently demonstrate good results as a result of “going the extra mile“‘.

‘Really do punch above their weight in terms of service provision and general organisation. Highly recommend‘.

‘Client care is second to none’

‘There is a freshness and energy to this team. At a time when many solicitors are understandably jaded and muted this firm makes opportunities and prepares cases to a very high standard indeed’

‘Raymond Shaw is very knowledgeable and tactically astute. Fantastic client care with a young client facing a very serious charge and his very worried parents were handled with skill. Nothing is left to chance’

Chambers and Partners 2021 “Strong bench of experienced criminal practitioners who act for both private and publicly funded clients. Adept at handling matters concerning complex criminal conspiracies, including people trafficking, gang-related violence and large-scale drug investigations. Demonstrates expertise in cases that involve young defendants as well as those with mental health issues”.

"Raymond Shaw is amazing at dealing with people who are having their first interaction with the law."

"Paul Graham is very knowledgeable." "He knows what he is doing and is very realistic in his advice." "He is very good with clients - relaxed and calming."

"They stand out for their hands-on approach,"

Chambers and Partners, 2019

"They have an astonishing track record of success and they handle heavy cases with deftness and aplomb."

"The high calibre of solicitors and support staff make for an outstanding firm."

Strong bench of experienced criminal practitioners who act for both private and publicly funded clients. Expertise covers cases ranging from large-scale drug investigations to human trafficking. Particularly noted for its work in complex investigations relating to children, including abductions and murders. Adept at handling matters involving complex criminal conspiracies, including prostitution rings and gang-related violence.

Legal 500, 2019

“The team at Shaw Graham Kersh is phenomenal inside and outside court, with tremendous energy, stamina and strategy”.

“The hardworking, experienced and client-centred practice at Shaw Graham Kersh has a well-deserved reputation for quality representation from the police station to appellate level”.

The team at Shaw Graham Kersh is ‘phenomenal inside and outside court, with tremendous energy, stamina and strategy’. It deals with a variety of serious criminal offences such as firearms, drugs conspiracies, terrorism and gang crime. Paul Graham heads the team with Philip Hill who is ‘an extremely calm and focused lawyer’ and has ‘first-rate client care skills’. Raymond Shaw is ‘sensational, supportive and sharp’ and is ‘the doyen of disentangling doomsday scenarios’.

Legal 500 2019 – Fraud: white collar crime Fraud/White collar crime:
The ‘Hardworking, experienced and client-centred’ practice at Shaw Graham Kersh has ‘a well-deserved reputation for quality representation from the police station to appellate level’. Recent highlights include acting in a £70m tax fraud case, a car crash scam and an FCA investigation. ‘Top criminal fraud litigator’ Raymond Shaw heads the team.

Chambers and Partners, 2019

Raymond Shaw is "everything a solicitor should be - completely unflappable, calm, knowledgeable and approachable to clients."

Chambers and Partners 2018

Sources say: "They are a powerful and effective firm. They succeed on their reputation and the fact that they care about their clients - for whom they deliver a quality service."

Legal 500 2018 – Fraud: white collar crime

Shaw Graham Kersh's 'well-resourced department' has 'a thriving practice in this area', and the team 'has an excellent work ethic which attracts the best fraud work in the country'. Work highlights included representing an individual in tax fraud allegations involving government incentives to bolster the British film industry, and acting for a former director or a private equity investment company alleged to have stolen over £12.5m from Russian investors. Raymond Shaw is the key name to note, and is praised as being a ‘tenacious individual who works incredibly hard on every case and is fearless in defence of his clients’.

“I typed into google, very late one panicky evening, “best lawyers in the UK” and what came back to me from somewhere out there in the ether was the BEST guys out there. I can’t put into words how wonderful you all have been from the get go of this case. I had absolutely no doubt that you would win the day” (Anon)

“I engaged SGK following my son being charged with serious drug related offences. Of course this is a time of great worry and stress when clear and coherent advice and guidance is essential. I am happy to say that we got that and more from the professionals at SGK. They reassured us and made the whole frightening legal process manageable. I am pleased to report that my son achieved the outcome we were aiming for, ie a non-custodial sentence. I can highly recommend SGK” (Mr D P)

“Your presentation was elegant, skilful, thorough and always concise. I was so impressed with your professionalism and especially thankful of your consideration with my nerves in the situation. Thanks for guiding me through this difficult moment, and for getting me the outcome I so needed.” (Mr P S)

“We couldn’t have asked for a better service. We are very grateful for how our case was handled so sensitively given it involved our fifteen year old son” (Mr & Mrs A)

“Good service – well thought through advice – attentive” (Anon)

“Very professional and forthcoming with much needed advice” (Anon)

“Easy going and easy to work with. Offered me the best advice” (Anon)

“Staff made me feel very comfortable and very easy to deal with at all times” (Miss T H)

“Brilliant personalised service. Very responsive and accessible. We have been exceptionally pleased and very grateful for ongoing help and support” (Ms G P & Ms D P)

“Thank you so much for your help and support. I couldn’t have had better people helping me with my case. I have been with you for over 14 years on and off”

“I find your company very efficient, helpful and friendly. I have always been satisfied with your services”

“The service provided was outstanding. Very helpful and informative”

“They have capable lawyers who can guide your case to a successful end. They work closely with clients [who are] treated fairly at all times” (Mr A A)

“I am extremely grateful to your meticulous attention to detail and support throughout my case” (Mr R T)

“Extremely satisfied with the outcome and…give my thanks and gratitude” (Anon)

“Highly qualified staff and very professional advisers” (Anon)

“Your team are of a high quality. [Their] understanding and knowledge was invaluable to me. Keep up the good work with your excellent service” (Anon)

“Shaw Graham Kersh is an outstanding establishment. I would happily recommend them to anyone” (Mr A A)

"Trusted with sound advice, an excellent team" (Anon)

"I have been with Shaw Graham Kersh for a number of years and have been very satisfied" (Anon)

"We were very happy with the thoroughness of our representation" (Anon)

"Professional, kind, good at the legal process in the office and at court. I think that the Shaw Graham Kersh team are excellent… both in court and as a legal team, and personally too" (Ms L F)

"Thank you very much for all the help and support, I have never experienced better help. I felt at ease the whole way through my case" (Anon)

"Very easy to talk to and made everything easy to understand" (Anon)

"I was very happy with the way my case was handled. I always knew what was going on. I also appreciate the way my family was kept informed. I cannot pick fault with my defence team and cannot praise the effort and work load put into defending me enough" (Mr M W)

"The service I received was excellent and everything was explained to me in great detail" (Mr J F)

"Great advice, as well as comfort, was given. Genuine effort and hard work was done to solve the case. Your service is already very good and staff are very professional, polite and friendly" (Ms A A)

"Brilliant from start to finish" (Anon)

"You are a good, hardworking and fair legal company" (Anon)

"Thank you for your help and for being reassuring in my times of doubt" (Mr A M)

"Best firm I know – trust me, I’ve been through a lot" (Mr C H)

"Whenever needed you were available and 100% helpful" (Anon)

"Shaw Graham Kersh treated me fairly, listened well and kept me up to date" (Anon)

"Very good service. Advisor was very focused and hardworking" (Anon)

"Good service and always on the ball" (Mr A F)

"I found SGK were very accommodating and had my best interest at heart. Also very professional and informative" (Anon)

"Your advice is quick and clear" (Mr E K)

"Good solicitors. Full of good people" (Mr C R)

"The company is very co-operative and the solicitors are available when needed" (Anon)

"Very good attitude towards clients and friendly manner experienced" (Mr M E)

"You do all you can to assure fairness, reliability and trust. The service I received was exceptional" (Anon)

"Professional, efficient, open and honest" (Anon)

"I was treated with respect" (Anon)

"Dealing with me you [were] straight forward and honest" (Anon)

"I was very impressed with the efficiency and the friendliness of the firm" (Anon)

"I felt I could completely trust you to look after my affairs. I was very pleased with your service" (Ms T B)

"I felt personally attended to, not just another case" (Anon)

"Polite, friendly, professional people. An absolute pleasure to deal with anyone from this company" (Anon)

"You are the best solicitors I ever had. Thank you very much for looking out for me" (Anon)

"I think you looked into the matter in great detail and were very understanding in difficult circumstances" (Anon)

"I was treated fairly, especially taking your time to visit me and communicating with my family" (Mr D A)

"Friendly, informative, non-judgemental, honest advice" (Anon)

"Very professional yet friendly, caring, understanding and supportive. Wish there were more solicitors firms like yours who actually take a genuine interest in people" (Anon)

"I found your services first class and the lawyers who dealt with me excellent – they treated me as human" (Mr J C)

"The level of service was both professional and friendly. I felt there was genuine commitment to my case and I was right." (Anon)

"Impartial advice was given to me at all times. Also the company always placed my best interests at heart" (Anon)

We accept instructions on a private basis. The firm also conducts work funded through the Legal Aid system, although not all legal aid cases are accepted and not all solicitors in the firm conduct such work. Please contact us to discuss private case costs and eligibility for legal aid.