Shaw Graham Kersh Announces Claire Bostock as Partner

1 June 2026

Leading criminal appellate specialist Claire Bostock is joining Shaw Graham Kersh as a Partner on 1 June 2026 to establish and head the firm's new Criminal Appeals Department, which launches on the same date with a focus on private appeals.

Claire brings with her a distinguished track record that will significantly strengthen Shaw Graham Kersh's existing criminal appeals practice, which has handled complex casework in this area for a number of years.

She joins from the Centre for Criminal Appeals (APPEAL), a charity and specialist law practice focused exclusively on miscarriage of justice cases, where she was one of the organisation's most senior solicitors. Before APPEAL, Claire spent two decades at leading criminal defence firm Birds Solicitors — now part of Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors — where her specialist appeals practice earned consistent recognition in the legal directories.

Claire is also a committee member of the Criminal Appeal Lawyers' Association (CALA) and serves as both a committee member and co-training officer at the London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association (LCCSA).

On her appointment, Claire commented: "I am delighted to be joining Shaw Graham Kersh as part of the firm's growth plans across its complex and serious crime practice areas. With the criminal justice system under significant strain — from resourcing pressures to mounting backlogs in the Magistrates' and Crown Courts — effective appellate work has never been more critical. I look forward to building out Shaw Graham Kersh's specialist capabilities in this field”.

For more information about Claire and Shaw Graham Kersh's Criminal Appeals Department, please visit www.sgkllp.com from 1 June 2026.