Colin Reynolds and Stephen Dawson founded Reynolds Dawson in 1982. The Practice aims to ensure clients receive a combination of the best representation possible and a dedication to client care, to minimise the stress that often surrounds both criminal and disciplinary proceedings.

In 1994, Stephen Dawson was appointed a Stipendiary Magistrate and thereafter to the Crown Court Bench.

Colin Reynolds remains Senior Partner.

The Practice has developed a reputation for providing a good quality service to both private and publicly funded clients in relation to a wide spectrum of criminal offences.

The Practice is instructed regularly and frequently by the Police Federation of England and Wales, the British Transport Police Federation, and insurers, to provide services to police officers in relation to on duty and off duty matters. The Practice is currently retained by way of a contract with insurers by the Home Office in relation to providing access to legal advice and assistance to the Special Constabulary on a national basis.

The Practice is also instructed by a variety of other Staff Associations to advise and represent their members.

We remain committed to publicly funded work and the Practice, having successfully applied for an own client contract under the current regime, continues to provide advice and assistance in relation to both duty schemes at court and the police station.

The Practice is recognised by Chambers Directory and Legal 500.

Notable Cases

The Practice has participated in many high profile Inquiries, Inquests and the representation of those under the media spotlight. Inquiries include the Marchioness Inquiry, Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, Victoria Climbie Inquiry, Inquests include the Jean Charles De Menezes Inquest, David Emmanuel (Smiley Culture), Henry Hicks, and Da Costa.

We also advised and represented PC Simon Harwood who was investigated in relation to the circumstances surrounding the death of Ian Tomlinson at the G20 demonstration in April 2009. This included representation at the Inquest, at Court and in the misconduct proceedings that followed.

 The Practice was substantially involved in relation to both Operation Elveden (payment to police officers by journalists) and “Plebgate”, the investigation into circumstances surrounding events in connection with Andrew Mitchell, MP and the MPS and other developing Operations and investigations.

We also advise in AAIB and CAA investigations and advised BALPA in relation to the Shoreham Air Disaster which culminated in the landmark decision of Chief Constable of Sussex Police v Secretary of State for Transport (2016).

Regulation

Since firms were required to meet quality standards in relation to the grant of a franchise, with what was then the Legal Services Commission, the Practice has always either had a franchise, or as now required, a contract with the Legal Aid Authority to ensure that it meets the requisite standard in relation to providing an efficient and comprehensive service to clients in relation to publicly funded work. In 2012 and 2014 the firm was the subject of a successful SQM audit achieving a 2.1 ranking. We have successfully undertaken peer review, and other audits by the LAA and Insurers who call upon us to provide legal services.

Details of the diversity of the practice are available within and from the office.

Fiona Stevenson

On the 7th July 2005, whilst on her way to work, Fiona Stevenson, a Solicitor with the practice was tragically killed as a result of the London bombings. Fiona will always be remembered for the major contribution she made to the Practice. She was a hard working, conscientious and dedicated criminal lawyer. Her sense of fun and enjoyment of life continues to be missed.

She had recently returned from a 3 month sabbatical to Belize to assist in advising the Government on the establishment of appropriate practices within the criminal justice system. Whilst in Belize, Fiona became conscious of the difficulties that many children there face in developing life skills, and was concerned by the number of drownings, as children had not learnt to swim. The Fiona Stevenson Memorial Fund raises money to help establish a swimming program for disadvantaged school children, along with water safety classes for their teachers. Please visit Liberty Foundation for more information or to make a donation.