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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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 […]
Read More… from 75,000 Unlawful Prosecutions? The Fare Evasion Prosecution Scandal Explained
The powers available to Police under section 49 of The Regulatory Investigative Powers Act (RIPA) 2000 were once, only used in the most unique and complex cases; and historically most frequently in relation to allegations of terrorism. It was used as a tool to try and obtain information held on the phone, computer or any […]
Read More… from Section 49 RIPA 2000: Trending now in a Police custody suite near you
The Sentencing Council have today announced new guidelines on domestic abuse, ahead of the extra protection planned for victims of stalking due later in the year. This will in turn, mean an increase in the severity of sentences for those convicted of allegations relating to domestic abuse. The new guidelines, which will take effect in May […]
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Reeds are delighted to be able to report three more successes in defending ‘grooming ring’ allegations, following the extraordinary results in “Operation Nautical” 1 and 2. After a 3 month trial, ‘J’, represented by our Oxford based Head of Chambers Lucy Tapper and Lisa Wilding QC of Furnival Chambers, was unanimously acquitted of all charges he faced. […]
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A new police watchdog has launched to investigate wrongdoing by police forces across England and Wales. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has replaced the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and will additionally have strengthened powers. Unlike its predecessor, the IOPC will be able to initiate its own investigations without first relying on the police to […]
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The case of Michael Camp, heard in a Lincoln Magistrates Court, is bound to cause significant controversy and indeed likely CPS appeal. District Judge Peter Veits concluded that the Defendant’s drunken state was sufficient to provide him with a “reasonable excuse” for not providing the mandatory second specimen of breath. Reasonable Excuse A reasonable excuse […]
Helen Warren, solicitor advocate at our Milton Keynes Office, was recently led by Craig Harris of Furnival Chambers in the defence of an individual charged as part of Operation Kruse. Their combined skill, tactical astuteness and determination lead to their client being acquitted following a lengthy trial at Luton Crown Court. The case – Operation Kruse […]
Read More… from Luton Crown Court: Helen Chenery Successfully Defends Alleged Gang Member
It has long been the case that Defendants appearing in criminal proceedings in Court are required to confirm their identity by way of their name, and usually also their date of birth, at the outset of a hearing. However new identity rules will be imposed from today, 13 November 2017. Defendants will be required to […]
In the recent judgment of Ivey v Genting Casinos Ltd Crockfords, the court stated that the 35-year-old two-stage test defined in R v Ghosh [1982] EWCA Crim 2 has ‘serious problems’ and that it does not correctly represent the law. The court unanimously dismissed an appeal from Phil Ivey to recover winnings from a 2012 […]
Read More… from Dishonesty: Landmark Judgement Redefines Meaning
We’ve recently discussed diversity issues in the justice system. Further to this Labour MP, David Lammy has recently published a highly critical report stating prosecutions against certain black and minority-ethnic suspects should be deferred or dropped in order to help tackle the bias against them. According to his report, young people are nine times more […]
Read More… from Racial Bias Within the Criminal Justice System in England and Wales?
An important new area of investigation has opened with regard to explaining possible ‘shaken baby’ cases. Richard Wainman, solicitor in our High Wycombe Office, acted on behalf of the child through her Guardian in the case of Buckinghamshire Council Council v Andrews and Stillwell [2017] EWFC B19. Suspicions of Non-Accidental Injury to Infant Child In […]
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If you have been charged with a criminal offence your first court appearance will always take place in the Magistrates’ Court. Depending on the seriousness of the charges against you and whether or not you plead guilty or not guilty, your case will be heard in the aforementioned court or transferred to the Crown Court. […]
Citation: [2016] EWCA Crim 1754 Child Abduction Advocate: Tony Bignall Crown Court Annex: Bristol Summary Both these cases which are connected have been referred to the full court by the Registrar. Each involves an offence of child abduction. There is no guidance on sentencing from the Sentencing Guidelines Council or Sentencing Council. The offences can […]
Read More… from R V RH and Another – Appeal Against Sentence
An alibi is a statement by a possible perpetrator of a crime, stating they were ‘elsewhere’ than the scene of the crime at the time the offence was committed. Having an alibi means that there is evidence of the defendant being somewhere else at the time of the crime, and therefore they couldn’t have committed […]
Many of us know about the ‘right to remain silent’ when speaking with the authorities. Though in some circumstances, remaining silent can have a negative impact on your case. This is where your silence can lead the court to draw an ‘adverse inference’ (i.e. a negative conclusion or understanding of the person’s position). Below we […]
Advocate: Helen Warren Annex: Milton Keynes Helen Warren, Solicitor-Advocate at the Milton Keynes annex of our integrated Chambers, achieved success recently in her first appearance at the Court of Appeal. The appeal was against a sentence imposed by Aylesbury Crown Court, and having carefully considered her arguments the Court of Appeal agreed that a prohibited […]
Notice has been served on any driver tempted to use a mobile telephone whilst driving a vehicle. Two amendments to the law on mobile telephone use while driving come into force on 1st March 2017. The combined effect of The Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 (Penalty Points) (Amendment) Order 2017 and The Fixed Penalty (Amendment) […]
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An accomplice to a crime is a person who becomes equally guilty in the crime of another by knowingly and voluntarily aiding in the committing of an offense. Here our solicitors have provided some key information about accomplices in law including where they are used as a witness in the prosecution of the main party. […]
Read More… from Accomplice to a Crime: Accomplices Information
A Guide to submitting a Review against a decision to exclude a child from a school or academy The number of fixed period and permanent exclusions is increasing year by year. The Education Act 2011 amended the law governing exclusions however exclusion continues to be difficult and emotive for children, parents, and schools. If as […]
The IPP (Imprisonment for Public Protection) sentence was abolished in 2012. However, those who remain subject to incarceration under the provisions of this sentence will be aware of the difficulties encountered in securing progression or release. This is often for various reasons such as Parole Board delays, limited resources, poor procedures for managing risk and […]