Colin has substantial experience in representing professional clients in many areas of crime, from white collar crime to general crime and road traffic incidents. His expertise is particularly recognised in advising and defending police officers in connection with misconduct (discipline) and criminal allegations.

In 1983, Colin represented officers charged with the attempted murder of Stephen Waldorf. Since then, he has been at the forefront of advising and assisting officers in all aspects of their work - particularly when operational duties result in criminal or disciplinary investigations and proceedings.

Colin advised and represented senior officers in both the Stephen Lawrence and Victoria Climbie Inquiries. He has since advised two officers in relation to the Ellison Stephen Lawrence Review.

He is involved in a large number of cases involving death or serious injury after contact with police and independent IOPC investigations. His representation of officers extends widely, including officers in the MPS, City of London, Surrey, Kent, Cambridge, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, the West Midlands and Yorkshire.

In addition, he has been involved in representing officers in connection with major Inquests, including the death of Roger Sylvester, Ian Tomlinson, Habib Ullah, Mark Duggan and Seni Lewis. Between 2005 and 2008, Colin advised and assisted both Grey and Red Surveillance Team officers from SO12 involved in the shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes at Stockwell Tube Station. More recently, Colin advised and represented the Islington Borough officers at the Inquest into the death of Henry Hicks..

Colin has represented many whose cases have been the subject of media attention including PC Simon Harwood, prosecuted for manslaughter in relation to the death of Ian Tomlinson in April 2009. Colin advised PC Harwood throughout the criminal investigation, Inquest, criminal trial and subsequent misconduct proceedings. PC Harwood was acquitted of manslaughter.

Colin represented the five officers who were the subject of two IPCC/IOPC investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death of Sean Rigg in 2008. Ultimately, following two investigations, two Judicial Reviews, one criminal trial (PS White acquitted of perjury) and a six week gross misconduct hearing, all officers were totally exonerated of all allegations against them on 1st March 2019.

Colin represented three officers, including the SIO, who were the subject of an independent IOPC investigation in relation to Operation Midland. All three were advised that there was a finding of no case to answer in relation to this matter.

Similarly, the eight officers under investigation over alleged failures in connection with the Stephen Port murders are being advised by him.

Colin is currently advising officers from the Directorate of Professional Standards (MPS) and the Professional Standards Department of the BTP who are the subject of an independent IOPC investigation.

The breadth of his experience is substantial, accumulated over many years and with the benefit of personal involvement in a wide variety of police related incidents and alleged offences. This is recognised by Chambers Directory, and the Legal 500, where he is highlighted as a leader in the field of criminal and disciplinary law.

Colin has been accredited as a Band 1 solicitor in Chambers Directory 2017. The entry confirms that market commentators described him as the “go to Lawyer” for police officers in London and praised him for his “ingrained understanding of how the police work.”

Career

Qualified 1978: Trained with Victor J. Lissack and post qualification remained an Assistant Solicitor with the firm.

1982: Established Reynolds Dawson with Stephen Dawson.

1994: Stephen Dawson appointed a District Judge (Stipendiary Magistrate).

Colin has remained the Senior Partner within the Practice since 1994, retaining his own case load and working with an energetic, committed and experienced team. Since 1992, Reynolds Dawson has been concerned solely with criminal law and regulatory matters arising from that criminal work.

Colin continues to lecture widely on police discipline related matters, and continues to play a prominent role in advising and assisting officers of the British Transport Police, and the Special Constabulary throughout the country.

Membership

Law Society, LCCSA (President in 2000), Justice, Howard League for Penal Reform, Liberty.