Reeds Solicitors are specialist criminal defence lawyers with an experienced team based in our Manchester office. Our Manchester team includes senior solicitors recognised in both the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, reflecting the depth of expertise available locally. We are a Tier 1 Legal 500 ranked national criminal defence firm, recognised for representing clients at the highest level.
We act in all types of criminal defence cases, from motoring matters to the most serious sexual and violent offences, including murder and terrorism allegations. We advise clients from the earliest stage of an investigation, including voluntary interviews and re-interviews, and provide clear, practical guidance throughout the pre-charge process. We take a proactive approach and, wherever possible, seek to have matters resolved before court proceedings are commenced.
Where a case does proceed to court, we defend our clients with care, expertise and precision at both Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court level.
If you are under investigation or facing criminal proceedings in Manchester, contact our criminal defence team on 0161 393 4158, email [email protected], or use our online contact form
Our Manchester team covers the full range of criminal offences, including:
- Violent offences (including the assault, ABH, GBH, strangulation, and domestic offences
- Sexual offences (including rape, sexual assault, possession of indecent images)
- Driving offences (including drink driving, dangerous driving, careless driving and Exceptional Hardship)
- Harassment, stalking and malicious communication
- Controlling or Coercive Behaviour
- Fare evasion and SJP court summons
- Drugs offences (including PWITS Class A and B, conspiracy to supply, production and cultivation of cannabis, and possession offences)
- Breach of Restraining Orders and Non-Molestation Orders
- Firearms and weapon offences (bladed article, offensive weapon)
- Fraud and dishonesty offences (including theft, handling stolen goods and identity fraud)
- Public order offences (s.4, s.4A, s.5 Public Order Act)
- Burglary and property offences (including, criminal damage, arson)
Manchester Magistrates’ Court
Crown Square
Manchester
M60 1PR
Our criminal defence team routinely represents people at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Tameside Magistrates’ Court and Salford Magistrates’ Court, as well as the Crown Court. We have well-established professional relationships with court staff, Judges and Magistrates.
Criminal cases arising across the Greater Manchester area are listed across various courts, and we act for clients from across the county. We also regularly represent clients in Magistrates’ Court proceedings involving individuals based in Preston, Lancaster, Bolton, Stockport, Crewe, Wigan, Liverpool, Sefton, Mold, Chester, Blackpool, Leeds and Bradford, and the surrounding towns throughout Lancashire.
Our Manchester Office
Our office is based at Piccadilly House, 49 Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2AP. We can also offer appointments either in person or virtually, depending on your preference.
How We Defend Criminal Cases in Manchester
Duty Solicitor – Get a second opinion
If you have been told by the duty solicitor that there is nothing you can do at present, and you have to just wait, contact us immediately. We will be able to provide you with a second opinion and often there are many things we can do to proactively defend you.
Proactive defence
We provide a comprehensive pre-charge service, offering clear guidance throughout what is often an uncertain and stressful period. We assess whether proactive intervention is possible, gather defence evidence, and submit representations inviting the police to take No Further Action. We can also seek a low-level outcome – such as a community resolution or caution – when the circumstances justify that approach.
Whether you have been interviewed and bailed to return to the police station or released under investigation, we offer clear fixed-fee packages covering:
- Representation in any re-interview at the police station in Greater Manchester
- Review of your initial police interview and advice on any further action needed
- Assessment of potential defence evidence
- Preparation of written representations to the police – for example, to challenge weak evidence or to seek an out-of-court outcome such as a caution, supported by mitigating factors such as mental health difficulties, OCD, or neurodiversity
- Drafting lines of enquiries documentation to the investigative agencies to prove your innocence
- Obtain defence witness statements and collate relevant exhibits to serve on the Police and Prosecution
- Direct communication with the investigating officer, including updates on bail extensions
- Applications to vary or remove bail conditions where necessary
- Practical guidance on proactive steps to prepare for possible outcomes and protect your position
If the police have contacted you to request a voluntary interview, we can provide representation at any police station in Greater Manchester and the surrounding County.
We regularly attend interviews at:
- North Manchester (Central Park) Police Station
- Cheadle Heath Police Station
- Swinton Police Station
- Pendleton Police Station
- Ashton Police Station
- Swinton Police Station
- Middlewich Police Station
- St Anne’s Police Station
- Belle Vale Police Station
- Blacon Police Station
- Blackpool Police Station
- Preston Police Station
- Bury Police Station
- Longsight Police Station
- Copy Lane Police Station
- St Asaphs Police Station
Our lawyers represent clients regularly at Manchester Magistrates’ Court, Tameside Magistrates’ Court and Salford Magistrates’ Court, and we have specialists experienced in the full range of criminal offences.
Early instruction allows us to obtain the court papers well in advance of the hearing and to review the evidence properly, ensuring thorough preparation for what lies ahead.
This approach can significantly reduce the understandable anxiety of attending court and assists in achieving the best possible outcome for our clients.
Whether your case is sent to Manchester Crown Court (Crown Square), Manchester Crown Court (Minshull Street) or Bolton Crown Court for sentence or trial, we can provide specialist representation throughout the proceedings. We have excellent working relationships with the leading barristers’ chambers in the country and regularly instruct advocates who achieve outstanding results.
We offer a range of options – from our in-house barrister and Junior Counsel to the most respected King’s Counsel – allowing us to select the barrister whose experience and approach best fits your case and budget.
Preston Crown Court – Murder – Case Dropped
Partner Beth Mantel represented a male not of good character who was arrested for attempt murder and subsequently charged with s18 assault and possession of an offensive weapon. It was alleged that he drove into a man, breaking numerous bones in his body and then attacked him with a hammer, leaving the male fighting for his life.
After numerous legal arguments including making extensive disclosure requests, the crown dropped the assaults, and he pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of an offensive weapon.
Manchester Crown Court – Not guilty of Murder
We represented this defendant who was 18 at the time and charged with a gang related murder. He was accused of stabbing the victim multiple times in Trafford. After trial in Manchester Crown Court, he was found not guilty of murder whilst his three co-defendants were all found guilty of the murder.
Preston Magistrates Court- Youth – Not Guilty of Dangerous Driving
We represented a youth with no previous convictions charged with dangerous driving. It was alleged that the Client has driven at a male causing him to be knocked over.
The incident took place at a roundabout, and the Client was approached by a group of males who were damaging the vehicle. The Client drove around the roundabout, hitting one of the males. CCTV captured the incident and showed the Client driving around the roundabout and a male being hit. At trial, we argued duress of circumstances. It was put forward that the Client was in genuine fear for his life and looped around to continue his original journey away from the males. The District Judge acquitted the Client.
Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court – Breach of Restraining Order – Not Guilty after trial
Our client was accused of breaching his restraining order against his ex-partner and faced trial at Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court. During cross-examination, we exposed flaws and inconsistencies in the complainant’s account and suggested that this allegation had been made maliciously as part of disputes over contact between client and their son. Through careful questioning of the client and his mother as part of the defence case, we also presented an alternative picture of the client as a person and demonstrated his commitment to abide by the restraining order in order to be a positive and reliable figure in his son’s life. The Magistrates found the client not guilty and stated their decision was based upon the fact the complainant’s evidence had presented as inconsistent whereas the client’s evidence had been clear, concise and consistent.
Ripley Police station- No further action following Pre-charge representation – serious sexual offences, cyber flashing’ stalking and harassment
Senior Solicitor, Damian Wall represented a young man of good character investigated at Ripley Police Station following allegations of staling and cyber flashing’, which arose after a complaint by a former partner. After initially being advised by the duty solicitor, he instructed us to provide pre-charge representation.
We advised the client and after analysing extensive digital material including WhatsApp communications, submitted detailed written representations addressing the allegations as we were able to demonstrate that the digital evidence undermined the credibility of the complainant account; accordingly, no charges were brought and the case was dropped.
Tameside Magistrates Court – Successful Exceptional Hardship Argument – Multiple driving offences
Damian Wall acted on behalf of a client facing a number of offences that would result in the client receiving over 12 penalty points and therefore face a disqualification from driving.
We successfully argued that the court should not disqualify the client from driving because there were exceptional reasons, relating to his family life and professional commitments. The client kept his driving licence.
Our Manchester team includes a Legal 500 ‘Next Generation Partner’, Beth Mantel, and a Band 1 Chambers & Partners Senior Solicitor, Damian Wall, who leads a team that also includes three Legal 500 ‘Recommended Lawyers’ .
Reeds Solicitors is a Tier 1 Legal 500 ranked national criminal defence firm with a specialist criminal defence team in Manchester. You will have direct contact with an experienced defence solicitor who is responsive, keeps you informed, and available to answer your questions throughout your case.
We will explore every realistic defence and legal argument, providing clear advice on the strengths and weaknesses of your position. Where a conviction cannot be avoided, we focus on careful preparation and persuasive mitigation to achieve the best possible outcome.
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