Articles

October 10th was World Mental Health Day. It is so positive that there is a day for mental health, but I also believe that mental health should be focused on every day. As someone who has diagnoses of EUPD (Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder), anxiety, depression, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) amongst many others, I believe that […]

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 […]

The MET police conduct approximately 15,000 voluntary interviews in London each year. 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 bearing on your career and reputation. Reeds Solicitors are specialists in dealing with Police […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

What is Autism? Autism is a lifelong developmental disability which affects how people communicate and interact with the world. There are around 700,000 autistic adults and children in the UK.   Is Autism the same as Asperger’s Syndrome? Asperger syndrome is part of the autism spectrum and is no longer considered its own distinct condition. However, some […]

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 […]

Jennifer Kabała is a Solicitor, working in our Private Crime who specialises in dog law, wild animal legislation and firearms law. Here Jennifer discusses the recently announced XL Bully Ban, the Dangerous Dogs Act, and whether the latter is fit for purpose in her view. To contact Jennifer about this article, the information contained or for […]

Being arrested following a domestic abuse incident almost always comes at a time of high emotions and stress. You may have no idea that the police have been called and suddenly you find yourself in the back of a police car with the neighbours peering out the window. Alternatively, you may have left the place […]

Obtaining a licence for a firearm or shotgun is not a simple process at the best of times. Most will anticipate that the Firearms Licensing process will be long and arduous and that they will be asked a multitude of questions about their background to determine whether they are suitable to be a licence holder […]

(A Higher Education Institution Perspective) In April 2022, Lady Margaret Hall College in Oxford agreed to pay damages to a student who reported being raped by another student. The matter was referred to the police, but the alleged perpetrator was not charged. The damages were awarded by the college after the complainant alleged negligence and […]

Jordan Trengove was a typical 18-year-old enjoying a night out with friends on 9 March 2019. He had no idea at the time that his life was about to change forever, thanks to being falsely accused of rape. The false accusations were made against him by Eleanor Williams, who in early January 2023 was found […]

The Guardian today [20/04/2023] reported on the increasing numbers of complaints made by university students to the Higher Education watchdog, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator. This increase in complaints is reflected in the number of clients approaching us for help to assist them. Usually they need advice and assistance with navigating higher education disciplinary […]

You may have been contacted by a police officer, inviting you to a voluntary police interview in Berkshire. This could be at Loddon Valley, Reading, Newbury, Maidenhead, Slough, Bracknell, or Pangbourne police stations. This can be very worrying, especially if you have not been in this situation before. It is crucial to note that you […]

Being falsely accused of child abuse (whether physically or sexually), or neglecting their welfare is the stuff of nightmares for parents. Ever since paediatrician C. Henry Kempe published an article entitled ‘The Battered Child Syndrome’ in the Journal of the American Medical Association, in which he observed that it was common practice to offer ‘patently absurd’ […]

Although you may have been arrested or investigated by the police for a criminal offence it does not necessarily follow that you will be charged. In fact, with an experienced criminal defence solicitor on your side, the charges may be dropped before the court date. The problem is most people do not instruct a solicitor […]

There is an Act of Parliament in this country that can turn normal, decent, responsible people into criminals. People who would not otherwise dream of breaking the law. It is called The Road Traffic Act 1988 and it authorises the use of breathalysers. Imagine this. You have been out for a meal with friends. You […]

The revocation of a Firearms Certificate can cause frustration. Those facing the situation for the first time it is important to know that an appeal can be made within 21 days of the date stated on the letter of notification from the Chief Officer of Police. The Chief Officer of Police retains the power to […]

In June 2021, The Hon Sir John Saunders published volume one of the ‘Report of the Public Inquiry Into the Attack on the Manchester Arena on 22nd May 2017’*. This initial report focuses on the findings of the inquiry into the security at the Manchester Arena. Announcing his publication of the report, Hon Sir John […]

You may have been contacted by a police officer, inviting you to a voluntary police interview at Abingdon, Banbury, St Aldates, Cowley Road, Kidlington or Witney police stations. This can be very worrying, especially if you have not been in this situation before. It is crucial to note that you have the right to appoint […]

The distribution of indecent images of children through Social Media is a common allegation we represent clients for. People are regularly accused, sometimes falsely, of viewing and distributing indecent images of children on social media platforms. These platforms include Kik, TikTok, Snapchat, and Telegram. In a freedom of information request made to the Essex Police, […]

The internet has transformed our lives in many positive ways, however, it has also flung open the doors of opportunity for those involved in child abuse, grooming, and trafficking. People are regularly accused, sometimes falsely, of viewing, distributing, and/or facilitating indecent images of children on social media platforms, including Kik, TikTok, Snapchat, and Telegram. If […]

Stealthing is the intentional removing of a condom during sexual intercourse without the consent of the sexual partner. The offence is an example of ‘conditional consent’; a non-consensual act against the conditions of consent given. In 2019, Lee Hogben from Bournemouth was sentenced to 12 years in prison for raping a woman in a hotel. […]

We’ve recently been asked by a number of clients whether there’s a difference between civil and criminal fraud. For most of these clients, they are trying to understand whether a civil case would prevent criminal proceedings, or vice versa. In June 2022, Sir David Calvert-Smith delivered his independent review on the Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) […]

When someone you love loses the mental capacity to make decisions regarding managing their finances and/or their health and welfare, not only must you deal with the grief that comes with that person no longer being who they once were, but you also need to obtain the legal authority to administer certain aspects of their […]

The first thing to do if you are under investigation for possession of indecent images is to seek expert legal advice from a specialist indecent image solicitor. This article provides information and advice to those that are accused of possession, and/or the making of, indecent images. Due to the severe nature of the allegations, and […]

The world is only just waking up to the brand new opportunities and challenges posed by cryptoassets and cryptocurrencies; especially those in the legal sector. Entirely new crypto regulation frameworks are being developed from base principles around the world because existing financial approaches are not fit for purpose. Solicitors specialising in the area of asset […]

On 8th August 2022, the trial of ex-Wales football manager and former Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs begins at Manchester Crown Court in relation to alleged controlling and coercive behaviour towards his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville between  2017 and 2020 and the common assault of her sister Emma Greville. Mr Giggs has pleaded not guilty to […]

Striking a balance between free and regulated markets has always been challenging. Left without enforced regulation, how can we be sure that businesses will regulate themselves in the genuine interests of consumers? And on the contrary, to what extent does regulation stifle creativity and competition? These are relevant questions right now in the highly lucrative […]

Unlike the embattled Serious Fraud Office (SFO) the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has achieved considerable recent success in the prosecution of financial crime. This fact should put those organisations regulated by the FCA on alert. The regulator has a wide range of disciplinary and enforcement tools in its armoury including private warnings and public censures. […]

The media frequently features action by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) against finance companies that have breached their regulations, some of which are extremely high-profile. In February 2022, the FCA fined Barclays Bank Plc £783,000, however, this pales into insignificance when compared to the fine of £264,772,619.95 levied on National Westminster Bank Plc in December […]

On 15th March 2022, the Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 received Royal Assent, signalling that the UK intends to get tougher on financial crime. Some of the new pieces of legislation in this Bill have been mooted for many years (at least since 2016 when David Cameron was Prime Minister), but the Russia/Ukraine […]

Since the start of the Russia / Ukraine war on 24th February 2022, leaders and politicians around the world have focused on the use of sanctions as a means of bringing an end to the ongoing fighting. With each day, new packages of sanctions are being announced by countries around the world. These have been […]

“Non-Fungible Tokens” (NFTs) have been the subject of considerable discussion and, for many, consternation, in recent months. So what exactly are NFTs, and how does the law apply this burgeoning high-risk digital asset investment class? And are Non-Fungible Tokens legally regulated? NFTs first appeared around 2014 when a video clip was registered on the Namecoin […]

Much has been discussed in the media regarding sanctions in the context of the current war in Ukraine, but the link between crypto currency investment and the risk of breaching sanctions is often less understood. Sanctions remain the predominant tool used by governments around the world as a means of achieving their foreign policy and […]

In recent months the national press has covered many stories relating to the crackdown by the government of those suspected of carrying out Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the National Audit Office, it is now believed that around 11% of the loans granted went to people who applied […]

In December 2021, the attorney general for England and Wales, Suella Braverman, launched an independent review following the conclusion by three Court of Appeal judges that the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) failed to disclose key information, which led to a businessman being jailed for bribery. The review will be carried out by David Calvert-Smith, a […]

On 4th April 2022, Reeds Solicitors opened the Bristol office of its Court of Protection (COP) department following the success of its team in Cardiff. The COP team, which is a Public Law Sector finalist at this year’s Wales Legal Awards is led by Sarah Griffiths-Jones, one of WalesOnline’s 30 Young Lawyers to Watch in […]

As of January 2022, we are well underway with the high-profile investigation into the Woodford Equity Income Fund (WEIF), who are being Investigated by the Financial Contact Authority (FCA), following the suspension of the fund in June 2019. In a letter from Nikhil Rathi, FCA Chief Executive, to Mel Stride, House of Commons Treasury Committee […]

Society prepares the crime, the criminal commits it. (Anonymous) Now a new type of fraud is making the headlines – the rise of PCR Covid Test fraud. The Coronavirus pandemic has provided the perfect environment for criminal activity, for those so inclined to commit it. The speed at which governments around the world were forced […]

Applications are made to the Court of Protection for lots of different reasons.  If you are an advocate, a family member or a carer and you have received court documentation from a Local Authority or a Health Board/NHS Trust and are not sure what to do next, we can help you. We are frequently asked ‘do […]

The use of social media ‘influencers’ is becoming an ever more commonplace and powerful marketing method used by businesses around the world. With this power, however, comes greater legal responsibility. The challenge for influencers and the businesses that rely on them is that there is a very real risk of inadvertently breaching a range of […]

The Court of Protection can have its own language and something that we are often asked about is the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (which are sometimes known as DoLS). Below we have created a factsheet of the questions we are most frequently asked. What are the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS)? The Deprivation of Liberty […]

When someone lacks capacity to make certain decisions, it is important that they have family, friends and/or professionals looking out for them and making sure that decisions are made in their best interests. In some cases, it may be appropriate to appoint a deputy to act on someone’s behalf. This can be a complex process […]

Reeds Solicitors, a Public Law Team of the Year finalist at this year’s Wales Legal Awards, opened another branch for Court of Protection in Bristol on 4th April 2022. Our incredibly close-knit team of COP solicitors is led by Sarah Griffiths-Jones who was one of WalesOnline ‘30 Young Lawyers to Watch’ in 2018. Sarah is also […]

As many practitioners will know, the Vice President of the Court of Protection, Mr Justice Hayden, published guidance last month on judicial visits to ‘P’*. Judges have long been willing to consider direct visits to P during the course of court proceedings but, as Mr Justice Hayden points out, the advent of remote hearings and […]

Our Court of Protection team are often contacted by advocates, family and/or carers. They may have received court documents from a Local Authority or Health Board/NHS trust and are not sure what they need to do. They might also worry about a friend or family member and are looking for some advice. Since its inception […]

For the family and friends of a deceased person, waiting for an inquest to be carried out and the results released can be an extremely difficult and distressing time. Each year, tens of thousands of inquests are carried out across the UK by Coroners. In 2020, 31,991 inquests were opened, with 239 inquests involving juries. […]

Are Social Media Companies Accountable For the Advertisements They Host? On 8th February 2022, Channel 4 News covered the story of Australian Billionaire Andrew Forrest, who is taking Facebook to court in his home country, alleging breaches of anti-money laundering laws. Mr Forrest alleges that Facebook behaved criminally by refusing to remove cryptocurrency scam adverts […]

This article was published in inCompliance magazine, the member publication of the International Compliance Association, on 24th January 2021. To download the .pdf as it appeared in the magazine to read, print or share please click here. As the economy seeks to recover from the pandemic, the UK has been thrust into ‘Plan B’. Attention […]

As a director, there is often considerable pressure to make decisions in the best interests of the company, its shareholders, and its employees. At the same time, directors have to comply with a strict set of duties under the Companies Act 2006 (CA 2006). This can lead to the potential for allegations against directors of […]

What Should I Do If I Am Accused of Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud? As 2021 draws to an end and we look forward to 2022, we can expect the recent rise in cryptocurrency investment frauds and scams to continue unabated. William E. Quigley,  high-profile investor and co-founder of the WAX blockchain in the US believes that […]

It is fair to say that pressure on company directors and officers has increased considerably in recent years. Greater scrutiny in the wake of corporate scandals, including Carillion, Patisserie Valerie, and BHS, has led to tighter company regulations around the world and a demand for improved corporate governance by investors and shareholders; all of which […]

At some point in your career, you may find yourself with an investigation looming. Maybe you’ve been told that you are going to be interviewed by the service police? Or you have been interviewed and now you’re awaiting a decision? Or perhaps you have been charged and now awaiting a court martial date? Whilst all […]

Whether or not the State has the right to demand you take the Coronavirus vaccination, or any other vaccination compulsory for that matter, is one of the most contentious subjects of our times. And it is not only ‘anti-vaxxers’ who are troubled by some Governments across the world stating that citizens will be excluded from […]

Reeds Solicitors has been shortlisted for an HR Excellence Award following their “life-changing” flexible working scheme. To learn more about the HR Excellence Awards, the nomination and our flexible working scheme entry, we’ve interviewed two of our HR team; Faith Bartlett and Lillie Debbage. For a full transcription of the video, see below. For careers […]

A few weeks ago we wrote about the increase in furlough fraud investigations. In tandem with investigating and prosecuting businesses that wrongly claimed funds from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Bounce Back Loans Fraud is also receiving significant attention and often fraud is uncovered via a probe by another regulator or government body. In October […]

Reeds Solicitors successfully secure a release recommendation for a prison law client. This case highlighted the importance of representation from a Prison Law specialist. Leaving errors unnoticed and unchallenged may have a detrimental effect on the outcome of a parole review.   Parole Review Case  Our client Mr K, who is an IPP sentence prisoner, […]

As one of the world’s biggest economic and military powers, the UK has a legal and some would say moral obligation to ensure its ability to implement and support UN sanctions remains strong. Without the introduction of new legislation, Brexit could have resulted in the British Government being unable to fulfil its international obligations after […]

Reports suggest that criminal gangs and fraudsters have swooped in to take advantage of the pandemic turmoil, resulting in a steep rise in Covid-related unemployment benefit fraud (Universal Credit). Although war and pestilence have been the curse of humanity since time began, the Western world has remained relatively free of both since the end of […]

A recent snippet in a London business newspaper provided a clear indication of how much focus HMRC are directing towards investigating major furlough fraud. City AM reported that the number of penalties issued to finance directors at large businesses by HMRC has dropped from 148 to just 20 in a year. With an estimated £3.5 […]

When an individual is stopped by a TFL ticket inspector for fare evasion, they may be lucky enough to be offered an on-the-spot fine. There are times when the inspector decides against offering a fine. Instead you will receive a ‘TFL information request letter’, which TFL call a ‘Verification Letter’. The letter warns that ‘legal […]

The Difference Between Penalty & Prosecution The 4-part series on Channel 5 follows TFL inspectors as they grapple with ‘fare dodgers’. Whilst some may escape with a warning and a fine, others are passed to the Prosecution Team. This can lead to a criminal conviction. Fare Evasion Solicitor Nathan Seymour-Hyde provides his views on how […]

The Dangerous Dog legislation has been the cause of much controversy and criticism. The Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 (amended in 1997 and 2014) was introduced due to many high-profile dog attacks on people. In the legislation it lists four banned breeds of dogs, though the law recognise these as ‘types’ rather than specific breed. This […]

First EVER acquittal of a company prosecuted under s.7 of the Bribery Act 2010 Reeds Solicitors acted for the first corporate entity to be acquitted of an offence contrary to section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010 in proceedings before Southwark Crown Court.  Julian Richards, head of the Complex Crime team at Reeds, was initially […]

With the Furlough Scheme finished and closed on 30th September 2021, Furlough Fraud Investigation led by the HMRC are likely to continue. At the onset of the Covid19 pandemic the UK government implemented the Coronavirus Jobs Retention Scheme (CJRS), the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, and the Self Employment Support Scheme. Due to the urgent nature […]

 Sports Law Financial Fair Play in the City?   Earlier this week the Court of Arbitration for Sport published their detailed reasons for overturning Manchester City’s 2 year ban from European competition and £30m fine. The news that was greeted with great relief in parts of Manchester and with dismay from much of the rest […]

Julian Richards, Partner and Head of Complex Crime, provides information about the Encrochat Hack and what to do if you are caught up in it. BACKGROUND: The beginning of the arms race Our mobile phones: from dusk till dawn they are with us, charting our movements, communications and daily lives. But what is their role […]

If you have recently been charged with a drink driving offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988, you may understandably be deeply concerned about your ability to work and travel, and the possible negative impact on your personal and professional reputation. Being unable to drive can also place huge pressure and stress on your family […]

There are few professions not been impacted by the #MeToo movement which swept the globe following the exposure of Harvey Weinstein’s alleged sexual harassment and assault. Law is no exception; in late 2018, Professor Jo Delahunty QC stated in a public lecture that there is widespread complacency concerning inappropriate sexual behaviour and bullying in Chambers.  […]

Rape trials, along with murder, arson and treason have traditionally been considered capital crimes. This meant they have carried the death sentence. Rape law has always attracted controversy. In the 17th century, Sir Matthew Hale stated rape ‘‘is an accusation easily to be made and hard to be proved, and harder to be defended by […]

The drug culture in the financial sector has often been linked with glamour. From Charlie Sheen, playing a rookie broker, snorting cocaine in the back of a limousine in Wall Street to Leonardo DiCaprio’s wild portrayal of Jordon Belfort in The Wolf of Wall Street, working hard and partying harder is seen as a badge […]

It’s hard to believe that it is only just over a year since 15-year-old Greta Thunberg first sat alone outside the Swedish Parliament, refusing to go to school in protest at her government’s inaction regarding climate change.  On the second day of her school strike for climate change, Greta was joined by others.  Skip forward […]

The number of people being caught driving under the influence of drugs is increasing according to the latest figures from the Ministry of Justice. There were 10,215 cases of drug driving brought before the courts in 2018, compared with 5,368 during the previous 12 months. In some areas, such as Suffolk, police state those stopped […]

In May 2019, the National Crime Agency (NCA) issued an Unexplained Wealth Order (UWO) (the recipient cannot be named for legal reasons). It is the second time the use of this new weapon against anti-corruption has been employed. The suspect is a “politically exposed person” and suspected of being involved with organised crime. He has […]

A Review of Short Term Prison Sentences The Ministry of Justice is considering the removal of short term prison sentences – namely those of less than six months – in England and Wales. Exceptions to this would be if the sentence was for violent crime or a sexual offence. The proposals stem from the argument […]

There may be a time when you are interviewed by the police. Whether you request a solicitor to be present during the police interview under caution or not, you should be cautious with what you say in these interviews. Many of us have a great deal of trust towards the police, and believe that justice […]

The most popular pet owned in the UK is a dog, with nearly 25% of the population owning one. However, many owners are unaware of the potential consequences that can follow from owning a dog. Being accused of failing to keep that dog under control can lead to Dog Control Orders, and in the worst […]

“HMO” stands for House of Multiple Occupancy. Under the Housing Act 2004 it is a criminal offence to operate an unlicensed HMO, where a licence is required. This can be a confusing area for even experienced practitioners to negotiate, so it is no surprise that an increasing number of people seem to be getting caught […]

The Sentencing Council, responsible for setting sentencing guidelines in England and Wales, has issued a new guideline in relation to manslaughter offences. [Edit: this article was originally published in July 2018, and may not be fully accurate. If you require advice, assistance or reputation for anything related to manslaughter, please contact our solicitors now.] If […]

When a loved one dies your life can be turned upside down. If your loss is then complicated by the need for an Inquest to establish the cause of death, it can be simply overwhelming.  The Inquest hearing itself can be very daunting, taking place in a formal court room type setting; often with several […]

In our ever developing technological society, when our daily lives involve us readily accessing the internet, much of our personal information and search history are stored and can be found at the click of a button. “Cybercrime” is understandably therefore, evolving and flourishing. Cybercrime is essentially any crime that is conducted through or using an […]

NOTE: This article is now out of date. Upskirting was made a chargeable offence in 2019. For further information, please consider reading our article “Upskirting Law”. Campaigners are currently calling for urgent changes to be made to the law to criminalise the behaviour frequently referred to as “upskirting”. “Upskirting” is the act of taking a […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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) […]

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 more than aware of the difficulties encountered in securing progression or release for various reasons such as Parole Board delays, limited resources, poor procedures for managing risk and a […]