With a long-established presence in Oxford, we act in all types of criminal cases, from motoring matters and harassment allegations to the most serious sexual and violent offences. We advise clients from the earliest stage of an investigation, including voluntary interviews and re-interviews, and provide clear guidance throughout the pre-charge process. Where proceedings are issued, we defend clients with care and precision in both the Magistrates’ Court and the Crown Court.
Reeds Solicitors are Oxford’s top-ranked criminal defence lawyers. Chambers & Partners rate us Band 1 for Crime in the Thames Valley, and the Legal 500 rank us Top Tier – the highest awards either directory makes, based entirely on independent research.
Our Oxford team covers the full range of criminal offences, including:
- Driving offences (including drink driving, dangerous driving, careless driving and Exceptional Hardship Applications)
- Violent offences (including the assault, ABH, GBH, strangulation, and domestic offences
- Harassment, stalking and malicious communication
- Sexual offences (including rape, sexual assault, possession of indecent images)
- 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)
Our Oxford criminal defence solicitors are regularly instructed in serious and complex investigations, including high-risk sexual offence cases such as indecent images allegations. These matters often involve extensive digital evidence, early police engagement and careful strategic decision-making at the pre-charge stage, where early intervention can be critical to the outcome.
Oxford Magistrates’ Court
Oxford Magistrates’ Court
Speedwell Street
Oxford
OX1 1RZ
Our criminal defence team attends Oxford Magistrates’ Court on a daily basis and has well-established professional relationships with the staff there. Criminal cases arising within Oxfordshire are listed at Oxford Magistrates’ Court, and we act for clients from across the county, including Oxford, Abingdon, Banbury, Witney, Kidlington, Bicester and the surrounding towns throughout the Vale of White Horse and South Oxfordshire.
Our Oxford Office
Our head office is based at 18 Kings Meadow, Ferry Hinksey Road, Oxford OX2 0DP. We can offer appointments either in person or virtually, depending on your preference.
The team is led by Stuart Matthews, Founding Partner and Solicitor-Advocate, who is personally recognised as a Leading Individual by the Legal 500, alongside a number of other team members who are individually recommended – a reflection of the exceptional depth of expertise across the Oxford office.
Criminal Defence in Oxfordshire - From Police Investigation to Court
We specialise in proactively defending people under investigation and have an excellent track record of cases being dropped before charge. At an early stage, we rapidly gather defence evidence, analyse the prosecution case, and identify evidential weaknesses. This allows us to submit detailed, focused representations to the investigating officers.
Our fixed fee packages include:
- Representation in any re-interview at the police station in Oxfordshire
- 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
- Direct communication with the investigating officer, including updates on bail extensions
- Applications to vary or remove bail conditions where necessary
If Thames Valley Police have contacted you to request a voluntary interview, we can provide representation at any police station in Oxfordshire. We regularly attend interviews at:
- St Aldates Police Station
- Abingdon Police Station
- Banbury Police Station
- Bicester Police Station
- Witney Police Station
- Didcot Police Station
For more information – see our service page for Voluntary Police Interviews in Oxfordshire
Our lawyers represent clients on a daily basis at Oxford 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.
Whether your case is sent to the Crown Court for sentence or trial, we can provide specialist representation throughout the proceedings. We have excellent working relationships with some of the leading barristers’ chambers in the country and regularly instruct advocates who achieve outstanding results.
We offer a range of options – from in-house advocates 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.
Banbury Police Station – No Further Action – Rape and Controlling or Coercive Behaviour
We represented a medical professional investigated at Banbury Police Station following allegations of rape and controlling or coercive behaviour, which arose during family court proceedings. After initially being advised by the duty solicitor, he instructed us to provide pre-charge representation.
We represented the client at a re-interview, reviewed and analysed extensive digital material including WhatsApp communications, and submitted detailed written representations addressing each element of the allegations. The digital evidence undermined the credibility of the complainant’s account and no charges were brought.
Abingdon Police Station – No Further Action – Serious Sexual Offence
Partner Scott Primmer represented a man of good character accused of raping his wife on three occasions. The allegation was made during a highly contested separation and dispute concerning arrangements for the children.
We represented the client in interview and through the pre-charge engagement process. Analysis of the client’s mobile phone evidence demonstrated that the allegations were unfounded and that the sexual activity was consensual. No further action was taken.
Oxford Magistrates’ Court – Not Guilty after trial – Harassment
We represented a transgender man of good character charged with harassment of his neighbours, who were police officers. After review, we identified that the investigation had been conducted in an unfair and one-sided manner.
The matter proceeded to trial. We submitted that the conduct alleged did not cause fear, alarm, or distress amounting to harassment. The Magistrates agreed and returned verdicts of not guilty.
Oxford Magistrates’ Court – Not guilty after trial – Domestic assault
Our client was accused of assaulting his ex-partner and faced trial at Oxford Magistrates’ Court. During cross-examination, we exposed inconsistencies in her account and a credible motive for making a false allegation. The Magistrates returned a not guilty verdict.
Oxford Magistrates’ Court – Special Reasons – Drink Driving
Our client was charged with drink driving but asserted that a friend had spiked his drink with additional vodka. We successfully challenged the prosecution witness on their account of the alleged erratic driving, and the Magistrates exercised their discretion not to impose a driving disqualification.
Oxford Crown Court – Not Guilty after trial – Sexual Assault
We represented a young man of good character accused of sexually assaulting a friend while he slept. The client accepted that sexual contact occurred but maintained that the complainant was awake and consenting, and that the allegation was made later.
The case proceeded to a four-day trial in the Crown Court. The jury returned a unanimous verdict of not guilty.
Oxford Crown Court – Not Guilty after trial – Murder
We represented a 16-year-old defendant charged with murder alongside three co-defendants. It was alleged that, during a gang-related incident in Oxford, the defendants had participated in the fatal stabbing of the victim.
At trial, our client was the only defendant acquitted. The jury accepted the defence case that he had not participated in the killing and returned a verdict of not guilty. The remaining defendants were convicted of murder or manslaughter, with two receiving life sentences.
Meet the Oxford Criminal Defence Team
Stuart Matthews
Founding Partner, Solicitor-Advocate & Head of Private Crime
Nathan Seymour-Hyde
Partner & Solicitor
Julian Richards
Partner, Solicitor & Head of Complex Crime
Scott Primmer
Partner & Solicitor
Kate Macnab
Senior Associate & Solicitor
Frequently Asked Questions
Oxford Magistrates’ Court runs a busy court list, meaning many people may be listed in the same court at the same time. Your case will usually be called into court on a first come, first served basis. If you have reviewed the court papers beforehand and know your position 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 Probation 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.
Most criminal cases investigated by Thames Valley Police within Oxfordshire are ordinarily dealt with at Oxford Magistrates’ Court. This includes cases arising in Oxford, Banbury, Abingdon, Bicester, Kidlington, Witney and the surrounding areas.
However, in 2026, Oxford Magistrates’ Court temporarily closed for repair works to the roof. During this period, some hearings and criminal cases have been diverted to other courts including Oxford Crown Court, High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court and Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court.
Yes. We regularly advise and represent clients attending voluntary interviews at police stations across Oxfordshire, including St Aldates Police Station, Abingdon and Cowley Road Police Stations. A voluntary interview should always be treated seriously, as the police will rely on what is said during interview when deciding whether to charge.
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 will 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.
Yes. In many cases we can offer fixed fee representation for advice and preparation, Magistrates’ Court hearings, voluntary police interviews, and pre-charge defence work. The appropriate fee structure will depend on the type of allegation, the stage of the investigation, and the amount of preparation required.
No. A case being sent to Oxford 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 in the Magistrates’ Court before either three magistrates or a single 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.
No. Oxford Magistrates’ Court does not have public parking available at the court itself. However, the Westgate Oxford multi-storey car park is approximately a 6 minute walk away from the court building on Speedwell Street.
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