A brilliant and hard-working solicitor, who is extremely bright, Rob provides a first-class service to all his clients, bringing compassion, and empathy to each case – he is always willing to go the extra mile – he is the solicitor you want on your side. Always thoroughly prepared, Rob is a skilled tactician with excellent judgment who brings his years of experience to each case. I cannot praise his work highly enough – he is a pleasure to work with, always willing to listen, not afraid to make difficult decisions and works collaboratively on all aspects of the case. He inspires confidence every step of the way.
George Joseph - Cornwall Street Chambers
My experience of Rob Jacques is that he is organised, on the ball, and always looking for the best ways to help his clients. His instructions to counsel are always clear and concise, you know you are getting a well prepared brief and case when Rob’s name is on it. Most importantly Rob isn’t afraid to have the difficult conversations with clients, they clearly respect him and his advice, whatever that advice may end up being. His many years as a solicitor shine through when you see him dealing with a client, an opponent, a witness. He’s a true all-rounder and it is a pleasure to be instructed by him.
Clare Evans - 4 KBW
I have worked with Rob for a number of years, and it has always been a privilege to work with him. He always puts the best interests of his clients first, and works relentlessly to achieve the best outcome for them. He takes client care very seriously and is able to present complex matters in an understandable format. He is simply first class.
Gabriele Watts - 2 Hare Court
It is always a pleasure to work with Rob. He is keenly insightful when it comes to the law and is utterly devoted to his clients. He is everything a solicitor should be. Compassionate, hardworking and friendly. I can always rely on him for a quick word to discuss cases and rest easy knowing they are properly prepared. The quality of his work is a reflection of his experience and devotion to the law.
George Joseph - Cornwall Street Chambers
If a friend or family member ever found themselves caught up in the criminal justice system, which solicitor would you want representing them? Robert Jacques. In a heartbeat.
Robert’s knowledge and experience from the police station to a court, is first class. He is a compassionate, dedicated, unrivalled solicitor who really does act in his client’s best interests. Solicitors like Robert are few and far between. He is simply a class act.
Kellie Enever - Cornwall Street Chambers
A brilliant and hard-working solicitor, who is extremely bright, Rob provides a first-class service to all his clients, bringing compassion, and empathy to each case – he is always willing to go the extra mile – he is the solicitor you want on your side. Always thoroughly prepared, Rob is a skilled tactician with excellent judgment who brings his years of experience to each case. I cannot praise his work highly enough – he is a pleasure to work with, always willing to listen, not afraid to make difficult decisions and works collaboratively on all aspects of the case. He inspires confidence every step of the way.
George Joseph - Cornwall Street Chambers
My experience of Rob Jacques is that he is organised, on the ball, and always looking for the best ways to help his clients. His instructions to counsel are always clear and concise, you know you are getting a well prepared brief and case when Rob’s name is on it. Most importantly Rob isn’t afraid to have the difficult conversations with clients, they clearly respect him and his advice, whatever that advice may end up being. His many years as a solicitor shine through when you see him dealing with a client, an opponent, a witness. He’s a true all-rounder and it is a pleasure to be instructed by him.
Clare Evans - 4 KBW
I have worked with Rob for a number of years, and it has always been a privilege to work with him. He always puts the best interests of his clients first, and works relentlessly to achieve the best outcome for them. He takes client care very seriously and is able to present complex matters in an understandable format. He is simply first class.
Gabriele Watts - 2 Hare Court
It is always a pleasure to work with Rob. He is keenly insightful when it comes to the law and is utterly devoted to his clients. He is everything a solicitor should be. Compassionate, hardworking and friendly. I can always rely on him for a quick word to discuss cases and rest easy knowing they are properly prepared. The quality of his work is a reflection of his experience and devotion to the law.
George Joseph - Cornwall Street Chambers
If a friend or family member ever found themselves caught up in the criminal justice system, which solicitor would you want representing them? Robert Jacques. In a heartbeat.
Robert’s knowledge and experience from the police station to a court, is first class. He is a compassionate, dedicated, unrivalled solicitor who really does act in his client’s best interests. Solicitors like Robert are few and far between. He is simply a class act.
Kellie Enever - Cornwall Street Chambers
A brilliant and hard-working solicitor, who is extremely bright, Rob provides a first-class service to all his clients, bringing compassion, and empathy to each case – he is always willing to go the extra mile – he is the solicitor you want on your side. Always thoroughly prepared, Rob is a skilled tactician with excellent judgment who brings his years of experience to each case. I cannot praise his work highly enough – he is a pleasure to work with, always willing to listen, not afraid to make difficult decisions and works collaboratively on all aspects of the case. He inspires confidence every step of the way.
George Joseph - Cornwall Street Chambers
Rob Jacques is a Senior Associate Solicitor, and leads the Magistrates Court team based at our Reading Office. Rob is an extremely experienced duty solicitor and has provided advice to clients, both at the Police Station and in the Magistrates Court, for over 25 years, having joined Reeds from J C Wroe where he was a Partner. He maintains a very high profile at Reading Magistrates Court as he appears daily. Rob represents clients on all levels of cases from theft to murder, both privately and as a great supporter of access to justice through Legal Aid.
Prior to his work within the field of criminal defence, Rob spent a number of years as a solicitor specialising in the field of Mental Health Law, and was a member of Law Society Mental Health Panel. He retains an interest in representing defendants who have mental health issues or learning difficulties. His experience in Mental Health Law enables him to guide clients through complicated routes that can arise from mental health issues and the overlap between Criminal Law and the Mental Health Act.
As well as this, Rob has developed a keen interest in representing clients with learning difficulties including ADHD and autism. Due to his vast experience, Rob has exceptional communication skills which enables him to represent any client.
He is an accomplished and sought after advocate, and excels particularly at constructing and presenting persuasive arguments to the Court on behalf of clients who are awaiting sentence. He is an expert in making the client stick out from the crowd and securing the best possible outcome for them. As a highly knowledgeable solicitor, Rob always approaches his cases with a keen eye for strategy, and is able to offer his clients not only the benefit of his vast legal expertise, but also provides them with sound tactical advice throughout their case in order to help them achieve the best possible outcome. Owing to his experience of seeing hundreds of cases from charge through to trial he is able to see the ‘bigger picture’ as to show a client’s case will proceed, this ensures a wholistic view on decision making at every stage of the case.
Rob is passionate about the provision of high quality legal services to all clients, regardless of their circumstances, and throughout his years in practice has inevitably built and maintained a loyal following of clients as a result. In recent years, Rob has been committed to training the next generation of criminal lawyers and Police Station Reps, sharing his experience and achieving great success in producing the finest young advocates currently appearing in our local courts.
In accordance with the Solicitors’ Regulatory Transparency Rules for motoring offences we confirm that Rob Jacques charges Level A hourly rates.
Recent and notable cases
Rob acted for a client on a murder charge involving a gangland style execution. During the early stages of his trial, the case was halted and the defendant was placed in protective custody. Rob was instructed to take over the case from his former solicitors who were professionally compromised. The defendant then went into a debriefing programme being interviewed about the murder and multiple other offences. Rob advised and supported the defendant throughout this unusual process following which the defendant became a ‘Supergrass’ and gave evidence for over ten days at the subsequent trial against the other defendants. DA was a compelling and articulate witness and the defendants were convicted. As a result of the debriefing process DA was charged with multiple offences covering his lengthy criminality. He received a five year custodial sentence for matters which would ordinarily attract a sentence of 25 years or more.
At the point at which Rob was instructed in this matter, DA was the only defendant charged with murder in this incident and facing the prospect of a life sentence. He now lives with a new identity and he and his family were relocated to ensure their safety. He has a successful business and his life has changed beyond all recognition.
The case featured in a book called ‘Essex Boys, The New Generation’ by Bernard O Mahoney.
Rob acted for a client charged with theft of over £20,000 when she had been working as an accountant. The money had been stolen in a sophisticated fraud over a prolonger period. The defendant had used the money to pay for IVF treatment and she was pregnant with triplets at the time of sentencing. Rob was present from her first police interview supporting her throughout the case. Her early admissions in interview were crucial to the eventual mitigation. Rob dealt with the case throughout engaging experienced counsel who was able to construct a powerful argument to avoid what had seemed to be an inevitable custodial sentence.
The defendant was charged together with 3 co defendants for a murder in Oxford known locally as “The Jericho Murder” The defendant was charged on a joint enterprise basis in that there was a single fatal stab wound to the victim and the prosecution believed BM was not the person who inflicted this fatal injury but had encouraged and supported the person who did. Rob dealt with this case from the client’s initial arrest through to litigating the case at trial. The defendant had learning difficulties and was in a difficult position in police interview knowing that several friends and associates were also in custody. Rob was able to establish a very strong rapport with the defendant and through a series of carefully drafted prepared statements set out the foundations of his defence. These statements played a significant part in the eventual trial and the clients acquittal. They were of such detail that he did not have to give evidence at the trial. The tactical decision made in the police station can often be the most significant stage of the case especially in the most serious cases.
The defendant was only just 18 years old and faced the most serious of allegations. If convicted he faced a life sentence.
The defendant was a youth facing an allegation of rape. The defendant had significant learning difficulties and was 16 years of age by the time the matter came to trial but the incident had occurred when he was 14 years of age. The development of the defendant over this period of time was considerable and Rob had to use exceptional skill to take instructions getting the client to look back at how he had been at the time rather than with how he was now. This involved numerous meetings necessitating sensitive and supportive care throughout the process. Rob persuaded the District Judge to retain jurisdiction in the Youth court and also identified in the early stages that Legal Aid should be extended to cover representation at trial by a barrister. Rob was able to identify very experienced counsel who secured an acquittal following a two-day Youth Court trial.
The impact on the client’s life cannot be understated. He was of good character and a conviction for rape would have been devastating to him and his wider family.
The defendant was charged with the murder of PC Andrew HARPER. This was the most high profile case in the country at that time. Rob had represented JF at the police station where he and several others were questioned at length over a number of days. Rob had advised the client to answer questions throughout his interviews and was in no doubt at all that he was innocent of the offence. Nonetheless following days of questioning JF was charged with murder whilst the other suspects were released on bail.
Following the first court appearance Rob took the unprecedented decision to make a short speech to the media protesting JF innocence and appealing for witnesses to come forward. This was a bold decision but based on his clear belief in the client and the importance of ensuring the police followed all other lines of enquiry. In addition Rob felt passionately that it was the right thing to do on behalf of JF who it was clear at that point was effectively the most hated man in the country given the circumstances of the case.
The decision to make the statement changed the course of the case. Senior police officers indicated that it had made them review their lines of enquiry and two witnesses came forward within hours which helped to exonerate JF who had all charges dropped a few weeks later. The impact on JF cannot be overstated. Rob had shown determination to support him way beyond any normal set of circumstances.
Rob in making this decision showed principle and fearlessness as in doing so he and the firm received much criticism from the public posting messages that we were supporting a police killer. In addition there were numerous postings by members of the legal profession criticising Rob for making the statement saying it was an attempt to undermine the rule of law. This put even more pressure on Rob and his team who were under sever scrutiny. Rob was able to ensure the whole team rallied and supported each other and the decision was ultimately vindicated.
The defendant had Autism and was placed in supported accommodation. He faced a serious charge of threatening a sexual assault upon a support worker. Rob spent time with the staff at the accommodation to understand FS needs and language skills. This enabled him to engage fully with the process. Rob was able to take detailed instructions and to make tactical decisions about whether FS should give evidence at his trial. The trial involved careful and sensitive cross examination of a vulnerable witness. The defendant did not give evidence but Rob insisted the District Judge watch in full his police interview disc. FS was acquitted and the impact for him was significant as a conviction would have led to the need to sign the Sex Offenders register and have an impact on future placements a she approached his 18th birthday.
Testimonials
I'm truly grateful and may I just say, you are absolutely brilliant at what you do, Sir, remarkably so. And again thank you.
Client
Sincere thanks for your support and dedication during BM trial. We will forever be in your debt. Sometimes its not easy to express how someone like you has touched our hearts and brought such happiness and closure. Regards to Chris and John (counsel) you are all heroes
Client
Your delivery to the judge was accurate, sympathetic, with many mitigating facts, and resulted in a very light sentence. Your expertise and professional skill was very much appreciated.
Client's relative
I'm truly grateful and may I just say, you are absolutely brilliant at what you do, Sir, remarkably so. And again thank you.
Client
Sincere thanks for your support and dedication during BM trial. We will forever be in your debt. Sometimes its not easy to express how someone like you has touched our hearts and brought such happiness and closure. Regards to Chris and John (counsel) you are all heroes
Client
Your delivery to the judge was accurate, sympathetic, with many mitigating facts, and resulted in a very light sentence. Your expertise and professional skill was very much appreciated.
Client's relative
I'm truly grateful and may I just say, you are absolutely brilliant at what you do, Sir, remarkably so. And again thank you.
Client