Clarke Kiernan

General information

A Kent-based firm of solicitors specialising in all areas of litigation.

The firm: With two offices in Tonbridge, Clarke Kiernan is perfectly placed to assist clients in the South East and beyond. The firm has acknowledged expertise in fraud, crime, prison law, civil liberties, matrimonial and childcare law.

Although Clarke Kiernan acts regularly for both private and corporate clients, it remains committed to the principle of publicly funded litigation, and is able to boast contracts with the Legal Services Commission in criminal law, family law and housing. Dealing with legal aid work encourages expertise in dealing with cases quickly and cost effectively, and this in turn ensures the firm can also offer competitive private rates to clients.

Formed in 1997 by two founding partners, the firm has grown steadily in terms of size and reputation. It prides itself on being a young, modern and progressive firm that adopts a problem-solving approach to clients’ cases. Clarke Kiernan embraced technology early and in a way seldom found in firms of its size, thereby ensuring its clients receive an efficient, effective yet personalised service throughout.

Above all, Clarke Kiernan understands the importance of treating all clients with respect and keeping them fully informed as their case progresses. Clarke Kiernan will pursue its clients’ interests regardless of their background, the popularity of their cause, or the complexity of their case.

Types of work undertaken: Clarke Kiernan lawyers specialise within the firm’s five departments – fraud and complex crime, criminal, prison, family and civil – but where necessary it can provide a team of lawyers across departments to cater for a particular client’s needs.

The firm receives many referrals in respect of its core specialist areas, from other firms that recognise Clarke Kiernan’s expertise. It is often prepared to take on a client’s case or develop a point of law that others will not. The vein of human rights law runs through all the departments and many of the firm’s cases.

Dennis Clarke has vast experience in most areas of litigation, which led him to become the first solicitor in Kent to be awarded panel membership of the Serious Fraud Panel. His huge experience in criminal law and crime-based public law allows him to have greater insight into a client’s case and help to decide the best way to progress it. As one of the foremost criminal practitioners in the region, he has successfully defended a large number of serious and complex fraud cases, as well as other high-profile criminal cases.

Catherine McCarthy is a very well-respected criminal practitioner who also specialises in prison law and miscarriage of justice cases. The crime department undertakes a wide range of work – including cases ranging from road traffic offences through to rape and murder. It is Catherine’s dedication to the law that leads her into the realms of miscarriage of justice cases. She believes in a ‘fair fight’ for clients.

Sam Collins works under the supervision of Catherine leading the prison department. She assists to ensure the rights of prisoners are upheld and will oversee the progression of cases from a client becoming incarcerated through to assistance with re-categorisation, sentence planning, parole, then on to home leave and recall. She is a respected and acknowledged expert, lecturing externally.

Jennifer Mundy is in charge of the team of family lawyers and runs the matrimonial department which has an excellent reputation both locally and far afield. This enables her to give excellent advice to all her clients and to know when it is appropriate to either negotiate and when there is no alternative to litigate. The team specialises in ancillary relief, private law Children Act and public law Children Act proceedings. Cases involving children are a particular specialism. All areas are considered on both a private and publicly funded basis but the LAA will not allow legal aid in most areas of private law.

Tafadzwa Chigudu runs the civil litigation department which continues to maintain a contract with the LAA to provide advice and assistance with housing cases and deals with a large number possession cases, homelessness, disrepair, anti-social behaviour and neighbour nuisance.

The firm continues to develop and the team has recently been strengthened by the addition of Daniel Bonich from a leading London-based firm. He is an experienced duty solicitor, solicitor advocate and crime franchise supervisor with substantial expertise in dealing with complex crime and very High Cost Cases. He has brought with him experience of high-profiles cases, and has particular experience in representing professionals accused of criminal offences.