Question 1

Is Lexis Bridge Atlantic a law firm?

Accepted Answer

No. Lexis Bridge Atlantic is a legal research and case-review consultancy, not a law firm.We do not provide reserved legal services or act as a substitute for qualified legal representation. Our role is to provide detailed case review, legal research, record analysis and procedural insight that can assist attorneys, solicitors, families and individuals in understanding complex criminal, appellate, extradition and post-conviction matters.Our approach is informed by more than two decades of first-hand experience across the US and UK criminal justice systems. Our Director, Umar (Phillip) Harkins, has worked within the Florida Department of Corrections as a Certified Law Clerk and Senior Law Clerk, assisting with criminal appeals, post-conviction proceedings and federal habeas corpus matters. He has also been involved in a complex UK extradition defence for nearly 15 years.That experience provides a perspective that goes beyond simply reading case law or processing a transcript. It comes from understanding the institutions, procedures and practical realities behind the record.For attorneys and solicitors, we can provide an additional layer of detailed record analysis and research to support legal strategy.For families, we can help make sense of complex records and identify questions that may warrant further investigation by qualified counsel.For individuals proceeding without representation, we can provide research and organisational support within the limits of our role.We do not promise a particular legal outcome.Our purpose is simple: to help you see more clearly what the record contains, what may have been overlooked, and what questions deserve to be examined next.

Question 2

Do you assist with UK Criminal Appeals, Extradition, and Judicial Review proceedings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. UK criminal appeals, extradition and Judicial Review are important areas of Lexis Bridge Atlantic's specialist case-analysis work.Our Director has first-hand experience of the UK extradition system, having successfully resisted U.S. extradition proceedings for nearly 15 years, including litigation before the UK's highest courts and two proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). He has also conducted Judicial Review proceedings arising from decisions concerning criminal-record information and the Police National Computer (PNC).We conduct forensic examinations of trial, appellate, extradition and public-authority records, looking beyond the immediate decision to identify procedural irregularities, evidential problems, disclosure failures, errors of law and issues in the way a decision was reached.This is particularly important because a case may involve more than one potential legal route. An appeal may concern an error arising from the criminal proceedings themselves, while an extradition matter may involve separate public-law questions concerning the lawfulness of an administrative decision. In appropriate cases, Judicial Review may provide an additional route for challenging the decision-making process of a public authority.Our work can therefore support matters involving criminal appeals, out-of-time appeals, CCRC applications, extradition proceedings and Judicial Review, including challenges involving bodies such as police forces, ACRO, the CPS, the Home Office and other public authorities.We can provide forensic case assessments, detailed chronologies, evidential analysis, procedural mapping, identification of potential grounds and technical reports for consideration by instructed solicitors and barristers.We do not provide legal representation or act as a substitute for a solicitor or barrister. Our role is to provide the additional forensic layer: examining the record, identifying what may have been overlooked, and helping the legal team determine where the real issues and potential avenues of challenge lie.

Question 3

Do you assist with US Appeals, Post-Conviction, and §2254 Habeas?

Accepted Answer

Yes. U.S. appeals, post-conviction proceedings and federal §2254 habeas corpus are core areas of Lexis Bridge Atlantic's specialist case-analysis work.Our Director's expertise was developed during seven years as a Senior Inmate Law Clerk within the Florida Department of Corrections, where he worked extensively with complex criminal and post-conviction matters and developed particular proficiency in identifying Ineffective Assistance of Counsel (IAC), Brady and Giglio violations, procedural defects and the procedural mechanisms governing state and federal review.We conduct forensic audits across the full appellate and post-conviction pipeline, from direct appeal and discretionary review through state post-conviction proceedings and federal habeas corpus under 28 U.S.C. §2254.Our work can include Belated Appeals, Anders brief counter-audits, Florida Rules 3.800 and 3.850 proceedings, state-court record analysis, exhaustion analysis and federal habeas case preparation. We examine the underlying record alongside the procedural history to identify issues that may have been overlooked, improperly addressed or inadequately developed.Where procedural barriers such as time limitations, procedural default or exhaustion requirements arise, we analyse the record and applicable procedural history to identify potential avenues for overcoming those barriers where legally available.We work with public defenders, private counsel and pro se litigants, providing forensic research, record analysis, issue identification and technical drafting support.We do not replace qualified U.S. legal counsel. Our role is to provide the specialist forensic layer that helps identify what happened, what may have been missed, and what procedural avenues may remain available.

Question 4

Do you work with Self-Representing people?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We work directly with self-represented inmates and prisoners in both the United States and the United Kingdom, providing forensic research, record analysis and technical drafting support to help them develop properly structured legal submissions.Our work is particularly suited to cases where a prisoner is required to navigate a complex appellate or post-conviction process without the resources of a fully staffed legal team.A core component of our U.S. work includes Anders brief counter-audits. Where appointed appellate counsel has concluded that no meritorious issue exists, we can conduct an independent forensic examination of the available record to identify potential appellate or post-conviction issues that may warrant further consideration.Our Director's experience navigating criminal and post-conviction systems from custody informs this work. Depending on the jurisdiction and matter, we can assist with issues including Florida Rule 3.850 proceedings, Rule 3.800 motions, appellate matters, federal §2254 habeas analysis and UK CCRC applications, among others.We focus on the procedural framework, evidential record and underlying legal issues, helping self-represented litigants understand what can properly be raised, how it may need to be presented, and what procedural requirements apply.We do not provide legal representation or act as the prisoner's solicitor, barrister or attorney. We provide the forensic research, procedural analysis and technical drafting support that can help a self-represented litigant present their case more effectively.

Question 5

How do we begin and what does it cost?

Accepted Answer

Every engagement begins with a structured intake process designed to establish the procedural position, identify the immediate issues and determine what level of forensic assistance the case requires.For Families and Self-Representing ClientsWe begin with a mandatory Preliminary Case Triage, conducted by secure messaging or video call. This is a focused assessment of the available information, procedural posture, key issues and potential viability of further work.The Preliminary Case Triage is $100, which is credited in full against the cost of a subsequent full forensic audit.Where a case proceeds beyond triage, we provide a fixed, flat-fee quotation based on the complexity of the matter, volume of records, scope of the forensic review and any applicable procedural deadlines.We may offer interest-free payment plans where appropriate. The agreed fee and scope of work are established before the engagement begins, so clients understand exactly what they are paying for.For Attorneys, Solicitors and Other Legal ProfessionalsWe offer a no-fee professional briefing via Microsoft Teams or Zoom to establish the scope of the assignment, required deliverables and relevant procedural considerations.Lexis Bridge Atlantic operates as a specialist back-office forensic resource, providing services such as transcript and record audits, procedural analysis, evidential review, issue identification and technical drafting support.Professional assignments are undertaken on a flat-fee basis, with the scope, deliverables and agreed fee established at the outset.The instructed lawyer retains responsibility for legal advice, filings, representation and court deadlines.We do not sell hope or guarantee outcomes. We provide transparent flat-fee pricing, disciplined case assessment and forensic-grade work product—so clients and legal professionals know the scope and cost of the work before it begins.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lexis Bridge Atlantic a law firm?

Do you assist with UK Criminal Appeals, Extradition, and Judicial Review proceedings?

Do you assist with US Appeals, Post-Conviction, and §2254 Habeas?

Do you work with Self-Representing people?

How do we begin and what does it cost?