Our Directors
Our legal team is led by the three directors, Philip Lythgoe, David Caplin and Sarah Housley who are recommended as having an “ability to inspire client confidence which is second to none, borne in part through experience but also through a clear sighted determination to secure the best possible outcome for their clients,” in the latest edition of the Legal 500 clients guide to the UK legal profession. They have enormous experience in dealing with complex criminal cases often involving many thousands of pages of evidence.
David Caplin
David is the fraud lead director for the firm, always carrying a caseload of some of the most serious fraud cases in England and Wales from early enquiry stage to the defence of prosecutions.
He has been identified by clients and fellow professionals over the last ten years as a leading criminal lawyer in his field. He has been described by Chambers and Partners guide to the legal profession as “a masterful performer in heavyweight cases” and by the Legal 500 clients guide to the UK legal profession as a “fantastic tactician who really cares about his clients.” His varied experience means he is equipped to deal with all aspects of a criminal case from advice and representation in interview to advocacy before the Higher Court. He prides himself on his ability to negotiate effectively always acting with the utmost discretion and sensitivity and firmly believes that for many clients their reputation is as important as their liberty.
Philip Lythgoe
Phil’s career has moved smoothly from commercial practice to serious criminal defence work in which he has specialized since 1990 particularly in complex paper heavy cases. On the way he has built up an enviable network of professional contacts including forensic experts, IT specialists and leading barristers to ensure always that all clients have a personally tailored defence team of the highest quality. His ability to identify the salient points in any case, no matter how complex, at the early stage is second to none.
He is described in the Legal 500 as “highly capable in all areas of criminal work and exercises fine judgement throughout a case.” He was one of the first solicitors to obtain the Higher Courts qualification entitling him to practice in all Magistrates and Crown Courts in England and Wales and is one of the most respected and well recognised criminal solicitors in the North West of England. He sits on the Manchester Law Society Crown and Magistrates Courts Committee. He is both Managing Director and supervisor for the practice
Sarah Housley
Sarah joined Cunninghams in 2009 bringing with her a wealth of experience from other well recognised criminal firms in the North West of England. As a result of her outstanding contribution to Cunninghams Solicitors’ development, Sarah has risen through the ranks to become director within a relatively short period of time. Sarah has maintained a caseload throughout her time at Cunninghams of serious, complex, high profile Crown Court matters, many involving detailed financial investigations including confiscation proceedings. Sarah is described in the latest edition of the Legal 500, the client’s guide to the UK legal profession, as a person “who thoroughly prepares for her cases and develops excellent relationships with her clients”.