Criminal Defence Solicitors

Top Tier and Nationally Recognised Legal Defence

0333 240 7373 | [email protected]

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Reeds Solicitors is one of the UK’s leading criminal defence law firms, representing clients across England and Wales in cases of every level of seriousness. Independently recognised by Chambers & Partners as a Band 1 criminal defence practice and ranked Top Tier by the Legal 500, our nationally recognised team advises and represents clients from the first contact with the police through to the most serious Crown Court prosecutions.

Our criminal defence department brings together an exceptional depth of expertise. Whether your case involves sexual offences, fraud, serious violence, organised crime, motoring offences or another criminal allegation, your defence will be led by a lawyer with genuine expertise in that area.

We are recognised for our proactive approach to pre-charge representation, engaging with investigators at an early stage to maximise the prospects of avoiding a prosecution. Early strategic intervention can often have a significant impact on the direction and outcome of a criminal investigation.

Contact our team → Read our FAQs

Our Criminal Defence Services

Representation at Every Stage

Speak to our team: 0333 240 7373 | [email protected]

Stuart Matthews - Reeds Solicitors
Stuart Matthews

Founding Partner, Solicitor-Advocate & Head of Private Crime

Meet the team

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Why Choose Reeds for Criminal Defence

We specialise in proactive pre-charge representation and have an excellent track record of preventing criminal prosecutions. From the outset, we gather defence evidence, analyse the prosecution case, identify evidential weaknesses and make detailed representations to investigators to maximise the prospects of avoiding a prosecution.

Our criminal defence solicitors regularly represent clients at police stations, voluntary interviews under caution and throughout investigations by the police, HMRC, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Serious Fraud Office and NHS Counter Fraud. Where proceedings cannot be avoided, the work undertaken during the investigation provides the strongest possible foundation for your defence.

We provide representation at police stations across England and Wales. Any police interview takes place under caution, and what you say can be used as evidence against you. What you say, omit or accept during an interview can affect the entire course of the investigation and any later prosecution.

When instructed, we seek pre-interview disclosure from the investigating officer, obtaining as much information as possible about the allegation and the evidence against you. You will then receive clear advice about the best strategic approach, whether to answer questions, provide a prepared statement setting out your defence, or make no comment.

We also represent clients at further interviews after a period on police bail or release under investigation, including where the police have obtained new evidence. A voluntary interview is often used when the police do not consider an arrest necessary to secure evidence or protect the investigation. It does not mean that the allegation is minor, that the evidence is weak, or that the interview should be treated any less seriously.

All criminal cases begin in the Magistrates’ Court. Summary-only offences remain there, while either-way offences may be dealt with in the Magistrates’ Court or sent to the Crown Court. Indictable-only offences must be sent to the Crown Court.

Once you have received a court date, we can obtain the prosecution papers electronically. This allows us to advise you on the strength of the evidence, the plea options and the likely consequences before the first hearing, avoiding rushed decisions at court. We regularly represent defendants in Magistrates’ Courts across England and Wales.

Crown Court cases involve a different procedure and, if contested, culminate in a trial before a judge and jury. Effective case management is essential. This includes preparing a defence statement that clearly identifies the issues in dispute, challenging failures in prosecution disclosure and making targeted requests for material capable of assisting the defence or undermining the prosecution case.

Our team includes experienced in-house barristers and solicitor-advocates, and we also have longstanding relationships with leading barristers’ chambers. We provide a range of representation options, giving you a genuine choice of advocate and allowing the arrangements to reflect the nature of the case and your budget.

At Reeds, we recognise the critical importance of obtaining effective disclosure in contested criminal cases. The defence is not automatically provided with everything gathered during an investigation. We know from experience that cases can turn on material initially treated as unused, such as investigation logs recording an inconsistent account, communications revealing a previously unknown relationship between witnesses, unserved CCTV, body-worn video or material extracted from digital devices.

We carefully consider what may exist, why it meets the disclosure test and how it could undermine the prosecution case or assist the defence. This may involve scrutinising disclosure schedules, identifying gaps in the prosecution’s approach and making targeted requests for police records, communications, digital material, third-party records and other relevant evidence.

In the Magistrates’ Court, we can serve a defence statement to define the disputed issues and pursue further disclosure. In contested Crown Court cases, a defence statement is mandatory and must be prepared with particular care. If relevant material is not disclosed following service of the defence statement, we can make an application under section 8 of the Criminal Procedure and Investigations Act 1996 requiring the court to determine whether it should be provided.

Reeds Solicitors has one of the country’s leading specialist sexual offences teams, representing clients accused of rape, historical sexual offences, indecent images, online sexual offences, abuse of position of trust and other serious allegations. These cases demand meticulous preparation, strategic thinking and absolute discretion.

The team is headed by Stuart Matthews, Founding Partner and Head of Private Crime, who is recognised by the Legal 500 for his work in sexual offences. He is supported by a dedicated team of specialist solicitors who are regularly instructed in some of the most serious and complex sexual offence investigations and prosecutions across England and Wales.

Reeds Solicitors is regularly instructed in some of the most serious and complex criminal cases in England and Wales. Our team represents clients accused of offences including murder, organised crime, large-scale drug conspiracies, serious sexual offences, multi-million-pound fraud, money laundering, firearms offences and EncroChat prosecutions, as well as confiscation proceedings and multi-jurisdictional investigations.

Our Serious & Complex Crime Team is headed by Julian Richards, Partner and Head of Complex Crime. A Leading Partner in the Legal 500 and ranked by Chambers & Partners, Julian is nationally recognised for his work in organised crime, large-scale drug conspiracies and complex financial crime. Julian is supported by Partners Mark Abbott, Beth Mantel, Stephen Clifford and Andy Lee, together with Senior Associate Damian Wall, all of whom are regularly instructed in high-profile Crown Court prosecutions involving homicide, organised crime, serious violence, fraud, money laundering and other complex criminal allegations.

Reeds Solicitors is independently recognised by both Chambers UK and the Legal 500 as one of the country’s leading criminal defence law firms. Our criminal defence department is ranked Band 1 by Chambers UK and Top Tier by the Legal 500, with numerous lawyers recognised as Leading Partners, Next Generation Partners, Leading Associates and Recommended Lawyers. Across our specialist practice areas, clients are represented by lawyers who are independently recognised as leaders in their fields.

“Synonymous with quality with a well-earned reputation for excellence.”
Legal 500

“They care deeply about each and every client – Reeds have great strength and depth.”
Chambers UK

Julian Richard’s “ability to digest large amounts of complex material is second to none. He is the go-to lawyer for complex cases.”
Chambers UK

Stuart Matthews “is a class act who radiates calm confidence and has an ability to put people at ease, command respect, and get the job done without unnecessary fuss.”
Legal 500

Nicola Hutchinson is “The star player on the western circuit – inspires confidence in clients with her knowledge of the evidence and tactical acuity.” 
Legal 500

Mark Abbott is “a very experienced solicitor. Extremely through in the preparation of cases and his attention to detail is exceptional. He has a natural charm which not only inspires immediate confidence in his clients but also enables him to secure the co-operation of all the agencies he deals with”.
Legal 500

These independent rankings are based on extensive research, client feedback and peer review. They provide reassurance that, whatever criminal allegation you are facing, your case will be handled by a nationally recognised specialist with genuine expertise in that area of law.

With over 20 offices nationwide, we assist clients wherever they are in the country.

Our regional criminal defence teams include:

London

Oxford

Reading

Luton

Birmingham

Bristol

Manchester

Cheshire

Milton Keynes

High Wycombe

Swindon

Gloucester

 

Meet Our Criminal Defence Team

Frequently Asked Questions

With offices nationwide (including London, Oxford, Reading, Bristol and Manchester), we can assist you wherever you are in the country.

You can find your closest office on our offices page here. Alternatively, you can phone 0333 240 7373, or email us at [email protected], and provide us your location and we will put you in touch with the closest criminal defence solicitor.

Yes. In some cases, early legal intervention can prevent criminal proceedings from progressing to court. This may involve identifying defence evidence, challenging weaknesses in the allegation, preparing written representations to the police or CPS, or addressing evidential issues at the pre-charge stage.

While no solicitor can guarantee that a case will be discontinued, proactive pre-charge representation can sometimes significantly affect the direction of an investigation.

Magistrates’ Courts often run busy court lists, meaning many people may be listed in the same court at the same time. Your case will usually get called into court on a first come, first served basis. If you have reviewed the court papers beforehand and know what you are doing regarding plea, it is likely that your case will be dealt with more quickly. However, custody cases are given priority, so it is not uncommon to get delayed behind other hearings.

Once the case is called into court, a not guilty plea may be processed within around 10-15 minutes. If you are pleading guilty, the hearing may take longer while the court hears mitigation. If the court orders a Pre-Sentence Report, this may result in the case either being put back to be called on again later in the day or adjourned to another date.

If the Magistrates think that your offence was serious enough to merit either a Community Order or a prison sentence, then a Pre-Sentence Report is likely to be ordered and you may have to meet with the Probation Service.

The Probation Officer will usually ask questions about your personal circumstances, employment, finances, health, background and attitude towards the offence. It is important to be fully prepared before speaking to probation, as their report can play a key role in sentencing.

No. A case being sent to the Crown Court does not automatically mean that a prison sentence will follow.

If you plead guilty or are found guilty of an offence, the Crown Court Judge will review the sentencing guidelines for the offence and the court will hear personal mitigation from your defence barrister.

It is also important to know that just because a Crown Court Judge has a prison sentence at their disposal, it does not mean that they have to use it. Prison sentences of up to three years can now be suspended in appropriate cases. Ultimately, the sentence will depend on the specific details of the allegation and the seriousness of the offence.

If you plead not guilty in the Magistrates’ Court to a summary only offence, such as common assault or harassment, your case will usually be heard before either magistrates or a District Judge.

If your case is sent to the Crown Court, the trial will usually take place before a jury of 12 members of the public.

The answer to this question may change in future if proposed government legislation relating to jury trials and court reform becomes law.

Fees will depend on the scope and complexity of the work required.

We can offer clear fixed fees, so you know where you stand from the outset.

Alternatively, we can act on an hourly rate. Hourly rates depend on the seniority of the solicitor involved and typically range from £300 to £400 plus VAT per hour.

 

We hold a contract with the Legal Aid Agency which enables eligible clients to obtain public funding for their case should they meet the criteria, and in all other cases we offer competitive private rates which can be tailored to meet your individual circumstances and requirements.

In some cases we can offer fixed fees to advise or represent you so you that know exactly where you stand with costs.

Given the high stakes involved in facing a criminal investigation or prosecution, having an effective and proactive defence solicitor is fundamentally important.

A criminal defence solicitor can help gather defence evidence, identify weaknesses in the prosecution case, advise you during police interviews, and guide you through the court process. In some instances, early legal intervention can even help prevent a case from reaching court.

If your case proceeds to court, a defence solicitor will cross-examine the prosecution witnesses, testing their account and reliability. A closing speech is also a crucial part of a criminal trial, bringing together the weaknesses in the prosecution case and advancing the defence position before the court reaches its verdict.

At Reeds, we handle a wide range of criminal cases, including but not limited to assault, sexual offences, drug offences, theft, fraud, white-collar crimes, domestic violence, and more.

Our experienced team is equipped to handle both minor and complex criminal matters, no matter at what stage of proceedings you are. We recommend anyone to contact us as soon as they are aware that they are involved in a criminal investigation. Early legal representation can be crucial to ensure the best possible outcome.

The consequences of a criminal conviction vary depending on the nature of the offence and the person’s specific circumstances. They can include fines, probation, community service, imprisonment, and a permanent criminal record. A criminal record can impact employment prospects, travel opportunities, and personal reputation.

If you’ve been arrested or charged with a crime, it’s important to consult with a criminal defence solicitor as soon as possible.

Whilst it is easy to want to appear cooperative during interviews, refrain from making statements to the police without legal representation. Some individuals feel that asking for a solicitor to be present is a sign of guilt or wrongdoing, this could put you in a weaker and more vulnerable position. Having a solicitor there provides support and legal advice to what your rights are at any given moment during interviews and investigations. They can ensure that what you say is unlikely to be misconstrued, as well as many other benefits.

For more information on interviews, please see our article here.

Yes, you have the right to change your criminal defence solicitor if you are not satisfied with their services. However, it’s advisable to carefully consider the decision and seek legal advice before making any changes.

Reeds are regularly approached by clients to take over the conduct of cases from previously instructed solicitors. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss changing your legal representation to Reeds Solicitors and we will endeavour to assist whenever possible.

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