Ruth Williams

About My Work

Ruth Williams is a Senior Associate Solicitor in the Magistrates Courts Team and Team Leader at our Princes Risborough office. Before she joined Reeds, having attained her law degree, Ruth gained valuable practical experience in the field of criminal law working as a paralegal at OWN solicitors, before ultimately completing her qualifications to become a solicitor.

Now, as a duty solicitor at Reeds, Ruth advises and defends clients facing all manner of criminal offences, both at the police station and at the Magistrates Court. As a passionate advocate, Ruth specialises in the conduct of trials for a wide range of offences, and she is acutely skilled at acting for and advising clients detained at the police station.

An abundance of experience dealing particularly with vulnerable clients and those who suffer from mental health issues, ensures that each client’s unique needs are considered and met by Ruth. She is personable and approachable, with an excellent attitude to the provision of quality client care. Part of the high standard of service she delivers to clients comes not just from her natural organisational ability and the thorough preparation she undertakes of every hearing she deals with, but also her ability to excel under the pressure of negotiating and arguing unexpected and sometimes complex legal arguments that can often arise at Court.

In accordance with the Solicitors’ Regulatory Transparency Rules for motoring offences we confirm that Ruth Williams charges Level B hourly rates.

Notable Experience

• R v N [2022] - The client faced charges of failure to provide a sample after refusing to allow police to take a sample of her blood at the police station due to a phobia around needles which allowed her only to provide a blood sample in familiar surroundings. At Trial it was argued that the client had a reasonable excuse for her actions and a psychiatrist was engaged to give evidence about the nature of the client’s anxiety about needles. On considering the arguments made the Court found the client not guilty, agreeing that her phobia amounted to a reasonable excuse.
• R v G [2021] - The client had been charged with an offence of drug driving, however he was a vulnerable adult who at the time of the incident was being “cuckooed” and forced to drive a number of males around in his vehicle. A defence of duress was therefore raised and after extensive disclosure requests it became apparent that police were aware of the “cuckooing” and were actively involved in trying to safeguard the client at the time of the alleged offence. Repeated and detailed representations were made to the prosecution, that the police information clearly outlined and evidenced the client’s account, and that given the circumstances and the particular vulnerabilities of the client, it was not in the public interest to continue with a prosecution in this case. The prosecution confirmed the day before the Trial that they would be offering no evidence in relation to the charge of drug driving.
• R v N [October 2020] On representing a youth for offences relating to the supply of drugs, submissions were made to the National Crime Team that they consider the client’s case on the basis that he had been a victim of child exploitation and/or child trafficking by County Lines Drug Dealers. This referral was successful and resulted in the CPS discontinuing the drugs charges against the client.