Will is an Associate Solicitor and Higher Rights Advocate working in our crime team, based in our Northampton office. He has experience across a wide range of criminal offences, including violent crime, domestic allegations, harassment and motoring matters. Will is often instructed at the pre-charge stage, making representations to the police and prosecution to seek to prevent charges. His work spans police investigations, proceedings in the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court, and appeals before the Court of Appeal.
Prior to joining Reeds, Will worked for a number of criminal defence firms in Northamptonshire, providing legal advice and assistance at police stations and in the Magistrates’ Court and Crown Court. Will was also previously commissioned as a professionally qualified officer with the Army Legal Service.
Will prides himself on delivering exceptional client care to all of his clients, regardless of whether they are facing an initial police investigation or a trial in the Crown Court. His experience of dealing with cases from the police station through to completion in the Crown Court enables him to provide his clients with advice throughout their case. He prides himself on his oral advocacy and is able to vary his tone and delivery to work with clients from all walks of life.
Will is a duty solicitor and accredited police station representative and holds Higher Rights of Audience in criminal proceedings.
Recent and notable cases
R v H (2025), Aylesbury Crown Court: Will represented a client charged with controlling or coercive behaviour and harassment with fear of violence. He successfully opposed an application to admit the complainant’s account as res gestae evidence. Crown then offered no evidence, and a not guilty verdict was returned.
R v S (2025), Northampton Magistrates’ Court: Will represented a client accused of assaulting a neighbour with a baseball bat. Through cross-examination informed by his analysis of the evidence and CCTV, Will challenged the complainant’s account. The client was acquitted after trial and granted a Defence Costs Order.
R v K and others (2026), Northampton Magistrates’ Court: Will represented a mother accused of assaulting a young person. It was alleged that she and her two daughters had lain in wait for the complainant. Will’s frame-by-frame analysis of the CCTV was central to the defence. The client was acquitted after trial.
Murder investigations (2026): Will assisted in three separate murder investigations in Northamptonshire as an accredited police station representative, advising clients during lengthy investigations in stressful and difficult circumstances.
R v J (2025), Northampton Crown Court: Will acted as advocate in a case involving an allegation of perverting the course of justice. After reviewing the defence statement Will had drafted, the Crown Prosecution Service offered no evidence against the client.
Testimonials
We have had excellent service from Reeds. Particularly from Will Forber-Heyward. From start to finish Will was extremely professional, friendly, knowledgeable and a very caring individual. With great contact and updates throughout. We 100 percent recommend this company and Will is an absolute credit to them. Thank you Will.
CT
We have had the most amazing support from reeds solicitors for our son, Will and Carys’s commitments to the case where outstanding. They were reassuring to us and our son The Communication whether it be through emails or via phone would always respond instantly when needed. I would strongly recommend them as solicitors. Can not thank them enough.
AP
I recently had the pleasure of having Will and Cerys as my solicitors with Reeds solicitors. I couldn’t have asked for anyone as hard working as them, you can tell they work together as a team, both extremely polite too. If you are ever in any need of solicitors I highly recommend you go to reeds and ask for any of these two, or both! A massive thank you for all the help and support I have been given. I couldn’t have got out of that awful situation without them. Wishing them the best.
TF
Amazing advice given by Will, ran me through everything, had no doubts, highly recommend these solicitors.
Reuben
Mr Will Forber-Heyward from Reeds Solicitors LLP was very helpful and respectful during the whole process, would recommend him 100%.
Thomas F
Dealt with Will, nice guy, explained everything very clearly.
Maria M