Craig MacKenzie is recognised as one of the UK’s leading criminal defence solicitors.
Text: 07976258258 For Urgent Representation
”Acting quickly to protect your reputation, livelihood, and liberty.”

Craig MacKenzie is recognised as one of the UK’s leading criminal defence solicitors.
Text: 07976258258 For Urgent Representation









Craig MacKenzie is a Partner at Forbes Solicitors and Head of the High-Profile & Private Crime Division. As a highly experienced Solicitor Advocate, he specialises in criminal defence, business crime, and regulatory law, representing high-net-worth individuals, professionals, and businesses facing serious and complex legal challenges.
With a background in forensic science, Craig MacKenzie brings a specialist edge to cases requiring expert evidence analysis. As a highly experienced trial lawyer, he has personally conducted over 700 trials, leveraging his deep understanding of forensic and legal strategy to secure favourable outcomes for his clients.
Craig regularly collaborates with top-ranked barristers to build strategic, results-driven defences in serious and high-profile cases. His expertise has led to numerous acquittals across a broad spectrum of complex criminal matters.
His exclusive client base includes doctors, dentists, solicitors, senior police officers, Premier League footballers, celebrities, politicians, and company directors—individuals who rely on his discreet, strategic, and fearless representation. With nearly two decades of experience, Craig has defended some of the most serious and high-stakes cases in the UK courts, often under intense media scrutiny
Craig MacKenzie is widely recognised as a top-ranked criminal defence solicitor, with accolades from Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500. His reputation for handling serious and high-profile cases has earned him a place in Spear’s 500, the definitive guide to the best legal advisers for ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) and high-net-worth (HNW) individuals.
As one of the few elite criminal defence solicitors outside London to receive this recognition, Craig is trusted by business leaders, professionals, and high-profile clients who require discreet, strategic, and results-driven representation in complex legal matters.
Craig MacKenzie is a respected legal commentator and a sought-after speaker on regulatory crime, business law, health and safety, and cybercrime. His expert legal insights have led to high-profile appearances on BBC television and radio, where he provides analysis on complex criminal and regulatory matters.
Renowned for his strategic thinking and fearless approach to justice, Craig has built a reputation for winning cases that others deem unwinnable. He remains calm, discreet, and highly effective, even in cases under intense media scrutiny—making him the first choice for high-net-worth individuals, professionals, and business leaders facing legal challenges.
With a national and international legal presence, Craig regularly defends clients in high-stakes cases across the UK and globally, representing individuals and companies facing cross-border investigations and regulatory enforcement actions.
✅ Top-Ranked Criminal Defence Solicitor
Recognised by Chambers & Partners, Legal 500, and Spear’s 500 as one of the UK’s leading criminal defence solicitors.
✅ Specialist in High-Profile & Complex Cases
Expert in serious crime, fraud, business crime, and regulatory defence, representing high-net-worth individuals, professionals, and corporate clients.
✅ Proven Track Record of Success
Over 700 trials conducted, securing acquittals and favourable outcomes in some of the UK’s most complex and high-stakes cases.
✅ Expert in Crisis Management & Reputation Protection
Defends clients under media scrutiny, ensuring discreet, strategic, and proactive legal representation.
✅ Sought-After Legal Expert
Regularly featured on the BBC and other major media outlets, providing expert analysis on criminal defence and regulatory matters.
✅ Leading the Future of Criminal Defence with AI & Legal Technology
A pioneer in AI-driven case analysis, leveraging cutting-edge forensic technology to build the strongest possible defence.
✅ National & International Legal Representation
Handles cases across the UK and globally, specialising in cross-border investigations and regulatory enforcement actions.
✅ Elite Legal Team & Strategic Defence Approach
Works with top-tier barristers and forensic experts, delivering a results-driven, client-focused defence strategy.
Serious legal matters require serious legal expertise. Craig MacKenzie is a top-ranked criminal defence solicitor, known for delivering exceptional results in high-stakes cases.
✅ Elite legal representation – Craig takes on a limited number of cases to ensure unmatched focus and attention for every client.
✅ Strategic, discreet, and results-driven – A reputation built on securing favourable outcomes in complex cases.
✅ Not just for the ultra-wealthy – While Craig’s expertise is highly sought-after, his representation is not out of reach for those who truly value the best defence possible.
Providing expert insight
Craig is vastly experienced in defending cases prosecuted by the ICO, FCA, SFO, NCA, and HMRC. His advisory work increasingly focuses on the intersection of AI, governance, and corporate liability. His training sessions are commercially grounded, legally robust, and focused on what matters most to legal and business professionals, clear frameworks, evolving obligations, and strategic foresight in a fast-moving regulatory environment.
Law Simplified was recently joined by Solicitor- Advocate, Head of High Profile and Private Crime Division, and Partner at Forbes Solicitors, Craig Mackenzie. Craig has been practising as a lawyer for nearly two decades and specialises in criminal defence, business crime, and regulatory law. His clients have included doctors, dentists, teachers, solicitors, senior police officers, clergy, premier league footballers, celebrities, politicians, and company directors.
Most criminal cases are handled. Very few are strategically designed to win.
I am instructed on cases where the stakes are existential, reputation, career, liberty, and long-term consequence. These are not matters for standard defence approaches. They require early control, precise decision-making, and a clear understanding of how complex cases are actually built, challenged, and resolved.
My role is not simply to respond to allegations. It is to design and direct the strategy that determines how the case unfolds, from first contact through to final outcome.
High-stakes cases are not lost at trial. They are lost in the decisions made at the earliest stages — before charge, before narrative, before position is fixed.
I work with professionals, executives, and public figures facing serious criminal or regulatory exposure. These cases demand more than technical defence. They require strategic control over evidence, timing, engagement, and risk.
Using advanced analytical methods, including AI-assisted case modelling where appropriate, I identify leverage points others miss and structure the defence accordingly. The objective is simple: control the case before it controls you.
Clients do not come to me for routine matters. They come when the case is complex, sensitive, or carries consequences that extend far beyond the courtroom.
This includes:
In these environments, there is no margin for error. Every decision carries weight. Every move shapes the outcome.
That is where I operate.














Providing expert insight



Crime Firm of the Year 2024
Forbes Solicitors is a full service law firm, operating nationally with offices in Lancashire, Manchester, Leeds and London.
Craig leads the High-Profile & Private Crime Division at Forbes Solicitors. A Leading UK firm which is Top Ranked in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK.
defending your hard earned reputation
Giving you the best chance of success.

Craig advises companies in relation to regulatory investigations and proceedings. He often manages bespoke multi-disciplinary teams servicing the needs of corporate clients. In the most serious of cases Kings Counsel will often be required. Craig is extremely well connected and is able to secure his clients ‘the best of the best’

The state invests vast resources into investigating and prosecuting serious criminal cases. Craig Mackenzie and his team offer their clients a 'best in class service' and are able to deploy significant resources to such cases, ensuring the best chance of success.

Craig has successfully defended a broad spectrum of clients, including,
Health & Safety
Trading Standards
Environment Agency
Pensions Regulator
Insolvency Service
Information Commissioners Office
HMRC