BWS
BRISTOW WEDD SOLICITORS
Testimonials from (mostly) satisfied Clients - see if you can spot the odd ones out
The following are some generous and kind comments from my clients over the years. I have changed all the identifying data, but all are genuine and taken from messages sent to me.
I defended TN in Lewes Crown Court on a charge of GBH. His defence was that he had to defend himself against a group of others confronting him, and punched once to help himself. After three days of evidence, the Jury found in his favour and acquitted him.
Sent from my iPad
from SQ - ''Thanks for all your help Steve
You were magic.'
I successfully defended XT in his trial at Brighton Magistrates Court on 12 September for speeding and failing to notify driver. He could not read and write and said that he did not understand the letter that the police sent to him asking who had been driving when speeding. The Clerk asked me why I was there 'for speeding?' Reply - nothing is too unimportant, and if it matters to an old client and his family, and they can't cope by themselves, then I turn out for them.
I defended TL in Southwark Crown Court over ten weeks - forty days. I led Justin Rivett from Warrens Law & Advocacy, Eastbourne, to whom I give my thanks and commendation.
The Police accused TL of defrauding clients in a solicitors firm to the tune of £900k, by draining clients money from client account into his pocket and the pockets of his partner FD. He says that he did not know about what was happening. TL was convicted.
from DE - 'I just wanted to drop you a line to say thanks again for your work on behalf of P (and me and his mother) earlier today.
Your involvement was very welcome and brought positivity and clarity to a very difficult situation. I realise that P is exceptionally fortunate to only have received cautions for what he did and I am deeply grateful for your part in that. We will try our best to make P understand the gravity of his actions and how important it is for him to learn a massive lesson from today. DE'
from ND - 'Morning Steve, just wanted to thank you for your support yesterday - way beyond the minimum needed - very
much appreciated.'
from BQ -
Dear Paula and Steve,
thanks for all that you did for me, I am very grateful for your hard work and patience. With my very best wishes' BQ 15.10.2015
from CR - "Hi gaffer thank you for everything you have done, not just for me but for family you and Paula are the best hope you're all good Mr Wedd"
from GT (accused of rape) - 'Steve, I don't have words to describe how thankful I am for all your help. You were amazing, thank you so much for all your patience with me. You are such an incredible professional. Thank you so much.' 3.12.2015.
Plus, later - 'Good Morning Steve, I would like to know if you already have my stuff from the police and how much I have to send you for the post [to send to client]'.
from ND (firearms) -
'Good morning Steve,
Thank you for your letter of the 3rd Dec. I think the proposal that you
take a witness statement from F is far preferable to subjecting him
to the stress of a Police interview.
I remain concerned however, at the possible consequences on his mental
health - effectively being asked to re-live the events of the [date].
I can only rely on your discretion should he become distressed.' 5.12.2015
from Father MJ 21.10.15
'Dear Steve,
'Thank you Steve for everything you have done for me it means so much to me you are a great solicitor and barrister if I ever know anybody that needs legal help you will be the first person that I call and if I ever need legal help again you will be the first person I call thank you very much it means so much to me my boyfriend also thanks you Steve for saving me from a prison sentence.' BD 18.5.16
Hi Steve,
'Just thought I would drop you an email to say many thanks again for representing me in my case. So glad that N heard your name mentioned around a dinner meeting about how good you are in
your field of works.
I found you an honest and genuine man, who dealt with the case superbly, straight talking and someone to trust in the way you went about your business.
I can't thank you enough, when I was down and out you picked me up and gave me the strength to deal with the horrible issues I was facing. I'm just getting back to normal I think, been hard and slow as it still sticks in the back of your head, and pops up every now and then, the horrible thoughts and situations I went through.
In my eyes you are a credit to your profession, and my family and I thank you ever so much
Regards TQ'
email 10.8.16
email from clients father, 6/11/17
Dear Mr Wedd,
I wanted to write to thank you for the very professional way in which you represented my daughter at the weekend. You did a marvellous job and the result achieved was truly
excellent.
After we left the police station, I explained to N that she was fortunate to have had such an experienced
practitioner allocated to her case. She too sends her thanks.
As well as a first class service, you waited with her for a considerable time until we arrived
to collect her. In doing so, you made the whole experience less traumatic for her and ensured that she left custody with her good name intact.
Kindest regards
UI
20.1.21 'Steve Wedd was rude and unhelpful and spoke to me like he was a judge. He would not stay to represent me. He's useless and so is [the firm that instructed him].'
Mr TS.
My response is that
- this client had not attended any of his court hearings without being compelled to do so under a warrant from the court;
- he was an hour late for his bail on the 20th;
- he lied to me about communications which had been sent to him from my professional client;
- he telephoned her behind my back to say that she was useless and so was I;
- he would not give me clear or any instructions in response to my questions calling for a 'yes' or 'no' answer;
- he disliked my advice about his legal position and likely consequences for the day (which turned out to be exactly correct, exactly on the money, and exactly what happened to him when he went into court without me);
- the professional relationship between us (which is at the heart of my work for any lay client) broke down, in my view, as a direct result of his manner of speaking to me;
- he muddled the message with the messenger;
- I made as much allowance as I could for the personal stress that he was under, but I am not prepared to be insulted to my face and behind my back to my professional client.
- Loading Twitter messages...
https://twitter.com/andytgriff/status/1409940086607728646?s=21
but kudos to Mark Hill for his accident reconstruction report and testimony.
(Declaration of interest - Andy and Eric asked me to look over some chapters in their forthcoming book on Investigative Interviewing, and I was happy to attempt to help.)
email, 5.7.21
'Hi Steve,
from another lawyer, whom I have never met, but who shares an egroup with me -
'Rose,
You also drew a complimentary comment (see below) from Steve Wedd, who is more often referred to as the Rottweiler/Pit Bull of the defence solicitors world!
High praise indeed! 😃
David'
sent from David Fanson (dfanson@sansburydouglas.co.uk)
from ST -
Dear Steve,
from ND (firearms) -
'Morning Steve, just wanted to thank you for your support yesterday - way beyond the minimum needed - very much appreciated.
I must also tell you that I don't normally drive like a cretin; I thought I was having a heart attack when I got home....my
nurse tells me I should have cancelled the interview. I had a not uncommon reaction to the flu jab etc
Hope to hear from you shortly. ND' 11.11.2015
from ND (as above) -
'Hi Steve,
Just spoken to PC G they are dropping all fire arms related charges...two illegal weapons will be destroyed - otherwise the Firearms Officer will be in touch regarding other issues .... security
etc.
I think the correct result. So, many thanks for your help. You are a star!
Regards
ND
p.s. Boxing Day Lunch from 1.00 if you feel like a trip out to the country! Bring whoever!'
23.12.2015
Steve Wedd secures rape acquittal for Playboy Butcher
Steve represented MT, who was accused of three counts of raping the niece of a global superstar. After a four day trial at Lewes Crown Court, the man was acquitted on all three charges.
At the centre of the case was an allegation that MT had spiked the woman's drink with Rohypnol, a well-known date rape drug. Following submissions from Steve, the jury took 1 hour and 12 minutes to acquit. 19.5.16
From Playboy Butcher case -
'Steve - Just a quick note to formally say bloody well done and thank you for your work this week. M was always happy how you conducted the case both prior and during trial. Both T and I knew, as much as anyone possibly can, M was not a rapist and in the end justice won. Also, you made T and I feel confident to put in our ‘two penny’s worth’ – sincerely appreciated.
Again many thanks and I hope our paths cross again but not in quite the same way!! Regards. E
email from Mrs TL, 30.1.17
email from GQ, 17.3.18
Hey Steve,Just wanted to drop you a email to express my thanks and gratitude to all the help and stuff you've done for N in his case and trial. I know you must hear this a lot but you really are the best at your job. You even make sure your clients partners are ok and give them hugs if they are upset which I have been on 2 occasions now. I know that whatever happens on Friday, N had the best person fighting his corner for him and for that im forever grateful.Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will always recommend you.GQ (NI's Fiance)
In December 2020 I defended ND against a charge of burglary of a dwelling. He and his wife were non-Anglophones and needed interpreters to handle the court process.
I analysed the evidence and identified certain gaps in the prosecution case. With my able co-defender Justin Rivett, Barrister (representing Mrs ND) we secured acquittals for both accused and they walked free with no stain on their characters.
11.2.21
12.2.21.
Steve we are all done and signed off. If you want to email me your engagement letter and fee note I will arrange for O to settle it. Thank you for your excellent and prompt advice. Best. N
12.2.21
Steve this represents excellent value thank you. O will settle later today.
I defended SG at Chichester Crown Court on a charge of Dangerous Driving. The jury acquitted him, but found that he had driven carelessly - a reasonable plea which had been on offer to the Crown for six months. Do you agree with the jury?
text 2.7.21
'Hi Steve just wanted to say thank you so much for today. Really appreciated. [clients father] L said if you would like to, he would like to take you for lunch at your convenience.
Many thanks again T L P'
KH - careless driving acquittal, Brighton Magistrates Court July 2018
'Having been warned by someone in the know that ineffectual defence solicitors could be found in abundance, I set about finding, through personal contacts, a law practice that would do an effective job in defending me against a driving charge. My enquiries led to Bristow, Wedd and the services of Steve Wedd himself.
Steve set about my defence with the utmost professionalism using modern technology coupled with forensic skill to reveal the weaknesses in the prosecution case. His cross examination of the main prosecution witness was relentless leading to his exposure as being both ignorant of the Highway Code and unreliable as an individual.
Steves attention to detail and preparation of case papers to assist the Court with its assessment of the allegation was meticulous.
Before the trial had commenced, Steve had requested, successfully, that I be allowed to sit behind him in the court rather than standing in the dock. Having obtained my acquittal, he then obtained my costs from the Court.
Bristow, Wedd is a thoroughly professional practice and is recommended without reservation.'
I was led by Simon Russell-Flint QC in the murder trial of NK at Lewes Crown Court. NK was accused of stalking and murdering his girlfriend. He denied the charge and after a three week trial, was that he was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment, with a tariff of 25 years.
contact details for us
Partners
Paula Bristow Higher Court Advocate Steve Wedd Higher Court Advocate
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