AI chatbots are now part of everyday life, and it is natural to want help making sense of a stack of legal papers. But uploading documents from your case to a personal AI account (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot or any similar app) can put confidential information and legal protections at risk. In some proceedings, it […]
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Some motorists may be tempted to provide false information on a section 172 notice following a speeding offence, particularly where the penalty points would result in a six-month “totting-up” disqualification. In some cases, a friend or family member is persuaded to “take” the points by falsely claiming to have been driving. Recent years have also […]
Delays in the criminal justice system are scandalous. The 2006 case of Picton made clear that failing to deal with cases expeditiously brings the criminal justice system into disrepute. That principle has since been embedded into the Criminal Procedure Rules and Criminal Practice Directions, yet today we find ourselves facing a crisis so deep that […]
Adjudications, commonly known as ‘nickings’ are the procedures that occur when a prisoner allegedly breaks Prison Rules. Prison Rules were always Governed by what are called Prison Service Instruments (PSI’s) or Prison service Orders (PSO’s). However, in recent times we are seeing these replaced by ‘policy frameworks’. Prior to 31 May 2024, adjudication procedures were […]
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Nicola Maynard, Head of Prison Law at Reeds Solicitors, explores the “catch all” provision of an offender’s licence and the struggles offenders face when being recalled for allegedly committing a new offence. You can be recalled to prison for breaching a specific licence condition. There will be a standard catch all condition at paragraph 5i) […]
Police stations are well known to be incredibly unpleasant sensory environments. They often contain bright overhead lighting, constant loud noise, uncomfortable furnishings and unpleasant odours. Clients who present as resistant to these kinds of environments, or the arrest procedure which has brought them there, can often be perceived by the police as being deliberately disruptive, […]
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One of our Solicitors explores the risks of the police’s controversial power to enter homes without a search warrant in pursuit of stolen electronics. I am one of the lucky few who can say that I have never had my mobile phone stolen, but many have! With street thefts of mobile phones and other electronic […]
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I have long suspected that the police widely misuse the Community Resolution scheme – a concern which is shared by many of my colleagues. Community Resolutions were introduced in 2009 as an alternative way of dealing with less serious crime and have been used increasingly year-on-year. In our experience, police often reach for this disposal […]
This year we celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Reeds. In commemoration of this, we are reflecting on our journey, our values, and our commitment to providing award-winning services. Now a multi-disciplinary law firm spanning across England and Wales, Reeds continues to grow as a firm that prioritises quality legal representation and client advocacy. Founded in […]
The re-categorisation of prisoners begins on their reception to Custody, they will have an initial assessment which will determinate their initial security category. This initial assessment will take into account numerous factors, such as type of offence, sentence length, type of sentence, risk of harm to other prisoners or whether there is an escape risk. […]
At Reeds, we recognise that our clients have varying characteristics and needs. This series of articles will focus on how we tailor our practice to support neurodivergent clients, with the aim of making their experience within the justice system as stress-free as possible. What Does Neurodivergent Mean? Neurodivergent is a term used to describe individuals […]
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The Netflix show, Adolescence, is one of those rare TV programmes that breaks out into the mainstream, capturing the zeitgeist and provoking debate about the issues raised. The show centres around a 13-year-old boy, Jamie, who is arrested and interviewed on suspicion of murder. As a criminal defence solicitor, crime shows are often difficult to […]
Read More… from Netflix’s Adolescence: How Not to Represent Youths at the Police Station
Reeds Solicitors have achieved another outstanding result in an Encrochat case. The case was heard before Reading Crown Court. Our client was represented by Julian Richards, the Head of Complex Crime at Reeds Solicitors, and very ably assisted by Atalanta Sanders. Operation Somersault – Conspiracy to Supply Cocaine and Transferring Criminal Property Our client was prosecuted as […]
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A Newton hearing is used when a defendant pleads guilty to an offence but disputes part of the prosecution’s account that could materially affect the sentence. The defendant may accept responsibility for the offence while denying that it was committed in the way alleged, or disputing facts that would place the offence in a higher […]
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If the police have contacted you to request a voluntary interview, it can be an extremely stressful and worrying time, especially given that the outcome can have an enormous impact on your life. Unfortunately, many people make mistakes in voluntary interviews, which can influence the likelihood of being prosecuted. I thought we would briefly summarise […]
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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 […]
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As a Solicitor in the Mental Health field, I have noticed an increasing amount of scrutiny for requests sought later in Mental Health tribunal proceedings. This occurs even if the timing of those requests is constrained by factors outside of the patient’s control. As a matter of course, directions for expert evidence are waved through […]
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It was widely reported this month that several train companies have unlawfully prosecuted individuals by misusing the Single Justice Procedure and up to 75,000 convictions for fare evasion offences have now been quashed. This is shocking news and could have enormous consequences for the train companies involved, especially given that bills could, in theory, run […]
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Receiving a Minded to Bar letter from the Home Office’s Disclosure and Barring Service (‘DBS’) can come as a complete shock. The brutal tone in which these letters are worded can also be incredibly upsetting. If you receive a Minded to Bar letter, you must contact our DBS Solicitors immediately as there is a strict time […]
On 12 February 2024, a 39 year old man became the first person in England and Wales to be convicted of cyber-flashing. The Defendant was charged on two counts of sending a photograph or film of genitals to cause alarm, distress, or humiliation. The Court heard how he sent unsolicited photos of his erect penis […]
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NOTE: These Webinars have now taken place. Please contact [email protected] for futher advice. American XL Bully Ban will begin to come into effect on 31st December 2023. From 1st February owning a Bully without an exemption will be a criminal offence. In response to the growing concerns expressed by Vets, Veterinary professionals, pet shop workers, […]
The recent decision to prohibit the XL Bully type has once again brought the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 into the spotlight. The announcement followed a number of high-profile incidents and renewed public debate about whether the current legal framework governing dangerous dogs is effective. For many dog owners, the law can come as a surprise. […]
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