The Legal 500 has published it’s United Kingdom 2025 edition. We are proud to announce that Reeds Solicitors has been ranked as a Top Tier criminal law firm, having performed even better than previous years.
About the Legal 500
For over 30 years, the Legal 500 has assessed the strengths of law firms in over 150 jurisdictions. The results are published in the form of ‘Rankings’ by region and practice area. These rankings can be viewed free of charge at their website.
Rankings are determined by several factors: feedback from clients globally, evidence-based submissions from law firms, intelligence from a dedicated team of researchers, and direct interviews with leading private practice solicitors. The Legal 500 rankings demonstrate which law firms are delivering the most ‘cutting edge and innovative advice’.
We have maintained the position of two practice areas as a Top Tier Firm and ranked in four other practice areas.
‘A first-rate firm, delivering the very highest quality advice and representation. Reeds are market leaders in the field of criminal law. In my view they are at the vanguard of representation and innovation, adapting to the needs of all clients irrespective of allegation.’
‘Reeds is synonymous with quality. There is no weak link across the firm at any level. Every case is well prepared and their client care is second to note.’
- Testimonials from Legal 500 2025
Top Tier Criminal Defence Law Firm
As of the 2025 edition of the Legal 500, Reeds has once again ranked as a Top-Tier firm in the South East and South West. This marks another year of Reeds maintaining our standards and having the criminal defence practices recommended as a top-tier firm.
‘They are so deeply passionate about their clients. They use technology to the full and are bang up to date.’
‘They do everything right from start to finish.’
‘Everyone in the team that I dealt with were fantastic. Everyone worked together seamlessly, if one person was unavailable and otherwise engaged another member of the team would respond. Replies to questions were not generic holding replies. When I asked a question, I knew I could place absolute faith in the advice provided.’
‘Highly capable and experienced team, second to none in the Bristol marketplace.’
Other Ranked Practice Areas
Reeds Solicitors has also ranked in four other practice areas this year.
The North West General Crime practice, led by Beth Mantel, has maintained Rank Two. Beth Mantel is a ‘highly experience litigator who always ensures that her client’s cases are thoroughly prepared with nothing left to chance.’
Reeds attained a new ranking this year! The Wales General Crime practice area has achieved Rank Two. The team is recognised as ‘efficient, approachable, and highly experienced.’ Testimonials said that Reeds is ‘very client focussed and produced excellent results’ across a broad range of publicly and privately-funded criminal law matters.
The London General Crime team has maintained it’s ranking as Rank Four for the third year. Reeds ‘always present a formidable force. They have a strong leadership team who ensure that associates and paralegals take a client-focussed and detailed approach to their cases.’
Reeds has also maintained its ranking for London White-Collar Crime. For the second year in a row, the department has kept its Tier Six ranking. Under the leadership of Julian Richards and Mark Abbott, ‘Reeds provide a first rate, professional service for those facing allegations of serious criminality. They were very thorough in their case preparation and astute in identifying relevant points. I also thought that they were very good at client care and keeping the clients up to speed in what were complex proceedings.’
Legal 500 2025 Recognise Reeds Solicitors’ Individuals
Reeds are incredibly proud to announce that a multitude of individuals are ranked this year for their contribution to the firm.
Julian Richards, the Head of Complex Crime, has maintained his ranking as a Leading Partner who is ‘truly exceptional and outstanding lawyer.’ He has been regarded as ‘in the premier league of lawyers in this country’ and ‘combines an exceptional intellect with formidable skill and compassion for this clients.’ For the White-Collar Crime team, ‘Julian Richards and Mark Abbott are the stand out performers.’
Stuart Matthews has also maintainer his ranking as a Leading Partner. They said ‘Stuart Matthews cares about his clients to a deeply impressive level.’
Nicola Hutchinson has maintained her ranking as a Next Generation Partner. Nicola is a Solicitor-Advocate and Area Manager in our Bristol branch. She is a ‘force of nature, on top of her case load, knows exactly what she is doing and commands respect from her clients and her opposition.’ Her client-focussed approach has also been noted: ‘she will pursue client’s objectives relentlessly whilst maintaining a realistic approach.’
South West Solicitor-Advocate Stephen Clifford, who is a Partner and COLP in the Bristol branch, has been recognised as a Leading Partner for another year. He is recognised as a ‘superb solicitor and credit to the profession.’ Stephen ‘was always calm and reassuring. No issue was too small for Stephen to deal with.’
Andy Lee, a Solicitor-Advocate also in the Bristol branch, has ranked as a Leading Associate. He ‘remains one of the best solicitors in this area I have ever worked with. He is diligent, committed, hardworking, thorough and has an excellent manner with clients both professional and lay.’
Newly recognised as a Leading Associate, Beth Mantel is an ‘approachable and utterly committed to each and every case left in her capable hands,’ for her work in the North West General Crime practice.
Lucy Tapper has been noted as a Leading Junior for the UK Bar as a ‘tremendous barrister who is wonderful to work with. She has an incredible ability to connect with clients and break down and explain complex issues with ease. She is meticulous, classy and fearless.’
A massive congratulations to the staff who have received mentions and recommendations this year, including, Tom Brymer, Scott Primmer, Lisa Paton, Laura Halliday, Jemma Michaelson, Mark Abbott, Jon Wilkins, Chris Lacey, Damian Wall, and Sundeep Soor.
