Can a rape or sexual assault conviction be appealed?

Yes, on grounds such as fresh evidence, undisclosed material undermining the complainant's account, misdirection on consent or reasonable belief, or inadequate directions on delay in a historic case.

Do you review ABE interview material?

Yes. The complainant's ABE video and transcript are usually central. We look for leading or contaminating questioning and whether the jury was properly directed on the interview's limits.

Can you help with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order?

Yes. We review SHPOs for proportionality and identify terms that are drafted too widely and can be varied or discharged under s103E SOA 2003.

How long does the review take?

10–15 working days as standard. Expedited turnaround is available if you are inside the 28-day sentence-appeal window.

Is my case treated confidentially?

Yes. All material is handled in strict confidence under professional standards. Nothing is shared with any third party without your written instruction.

Specialist review · Sexual offences

Rape, sexual assault and historic allegation cases — reviewed properly.

A senior UK criminal lawyer reads your full papers — the ABE interview, disclosure, forensic reports and jury directions — and gives you a written opinion on the safety of the conviction, arguable grounds of appeal, or the strongest defence route before trial.

£1,950fixed fee · 10–15 working days · payment plans available

Buy now — £1,950 Ask a question first

Charges we review

Rape — s1 Sexual Offences Act 2003
Assault by penetration — s2 SOA 2003
Sexual assault — s3 SOA 2003
Causing sexual activity without consent — s4 SOA 2003
Historic sexual offences — Pre-2003 statutes / SOA 1956
Indecent images of children — s1 PoCA 1978 / s160 CJA 1988
Sexual communication with a child — s15A SOA 2003
Voyeurism / upskirting — s67 / s67A SOA 2003
Breach / challenge of SHPO — s103A SOA 2003

What the lawyer reviews

The complainant's ABE interview transcript and video (structure, leading questions, inconsistencies)
MG5 case summary, MG6C/D/E disclosure schedules and unused material
Forensic reports — DNA, medical (SARC), toxicology, injury interpretation
Phone downloads, messaging, social media and third-party material (medical/social services/school)
Delay and Turnbull-style directions where identification or delay is in issue
Any s41 YJCEA application on previous sexual behaviour and how it was ruled
Bad character (defence and prosecution) applications and rulings
Sentencing remarks, guideline category, credit for plea and the SHPO / notification requirements

Common grounds we identify

Unused material that undermines the complainant's account was not disclosed to the defence

The ABE interview contains leading or contaminating questions the jury was not properly directed on

Third-party material (therapy notes, social services, medical) was withheld or not sought

Digital evidence (deleted messages, cell-site) supports the defence and was not deployed

Wrong Sentencing Council category applied — harm or culpability overstated

The SHPO is drafted too widely and can be challenged as disproportionate

Delay direction was inadequate in a historic allegation case

Fresh evidence has emerged that was not available at trial

Anonymised examples

Historic rape — s1 SOA 1956

Client convicted after a 20-year delay. Review identified undisclosed social services records and an inadequate delay direction.

Outcome: Advice: arguable ground under CCRC route

Rape — s1 SOA 2003

Complainant's phone download contained messages contradicting the account. Not deployed at trial.

Outcome: Advice: leave to appeal conviction

Indecent images — Cat A

Category and quantity mis-applied at sentence; hash-value duplicates counted twice.

Outcome: Sentence reduced on appeal

Examples are anonymised, based on real case types we have reviewed. Every case is different and outcomes cannot be guaranteed.

What clients say

"I'd been told there was nothing to appeal. Case Review UK read every page, spotted the disclosure gap and told me exactly which ground was worth running. My family finally had answers."

— Sister of client, HMP Wakefield

"The report was calm, plain-English and completely honest — including where they said the case was weak. That's the first straight answer we'd had in two years."

— Mother of client, historic allegation case

Testimonials are from verified clients, redacted for confidentiality.

Important

This is an independent case review by a senior UK criminal lawyer. It is not a substitute for instructing a solicitor or barrister to represent you at court. Outcomes depend on the specific facts, evidence, judge and tribunal, and cannot be guaranteed. All papers are treated in strict confidence.

Book Sexual Offences Case Review — £1,950 See all services

Get in touch

Not sure this is the right package?

Send a short summary of the charge and stage. A senior reviewer will tell you honestly whether this specialist review, a Full Case Assessment, or an urgent triage fits best.

• Reviewed by senior UK lawyers and barristers
• Over 50 years of combined experience
• Fully online — discreet and secure

FAQ