John Skinner

Qualified as a solicitor in 1994. Specialist in Criminal Law with over 25 years experience, providing assistance at both the police station and advocacy in the Magistrates’ Court. Good connections with local barristers specialising in crime.

As a partner in his family run firm in Burton on Trent for over 20 year he has a good knowledge of several other areas of law including Wills, Probate and Powers of Attorney.

Recognises the importance of client care and seeking to obtain the best results for each client as an individual.

Mavalynne Lewis

Mavalynne is a duty qualified Solicitor and police station representative with many years of experience in criminal law.

After having been called to the Bar at the Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn in November 2011, she began her legal career in 2013 as a caseworker in a firm based in London. After completing the Legal Practice Course and period of recognised training, Mavalynne was admitted to the Law Society Roll of Solicitors in April 2016. She then proceeded to obtain her CLAS accreditation in September 2017, which gained her a place in the Magistrates Court and Police Station duty scheme.

Over the past 8 years of working within the criminal justice system, Mavalynne has represented many clients at the Police Station, and has dealt with a variety of Magistrates Court and Crown Court cases, including (but not limited to): complex money laundering and serious fraud, robbery, burglary, drug offences, sexual offences, grievous bodily harm, conspiracies, thefts, assaults, public order offences and motoring offences.

Mavalynne prides herself in being very passionate about her work and always strives to understand her clients and achieve the best possible result for them.

Mavalynne is also fluent in Spanish.

Lydia Etheridge

Lydia is a senior duty qualified Solicitor and police station representative with extensive experience of criminal law.

Lydia achieved a 2:1 in her LLB law degree and then went on to complete her LPC at the college of Law in Guildford. She then began her career as a paralegal in 2011 in a firm based in Reading, and went on to undertake her training contract, concentrating on criminal and family law.

She was admitted to the Law Society Roll of Solicitors in July 2014 and obtained her CLAS accreditation only 7 months later which gained her a place on the Magistrates Court and police station duty solicitor rotas.

Over the past 12 years of working within the criminal justice system, Lydia has represented a vast variety of clients for a range of offences, from low level offences, right up to murder cases. She is a passionate advocate who takes great care in her work and always strives to achieve the best outcome for every client, which is reflected in her client reviews.

Suezanne King

Suezanne founded SMQ Legal Services in Oxford with the aim of providing the best possible advice to clients 24 hours a day, placing the quality of assistance as a paramount objective above financial constraints.

Suezanne is an experienced solicitor advocate who has a varied practice in law. In recent years her work includes challenging the Article 10 ‘freedom of expression’ open justice principle to prevent publication in the Appellate Courts, various personal injury and civil claims involving wrongful death, as well as a busy family law practice.

Suezanne specialises in civil and commercial litigation with an emphasis on property law including drafting commercial leases, option agreements, and drafting terms and conditions for SMEs.

She is an established advocate enjoying rights of audience in the Crown Court and is Duty Qualified. Suezanne is a fully accredited Police Station Representative, advising and representing clients in the Police Station, and prides herself on providing a robust defence for suspects being questioned by the police. She often attends the police stations for clients in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, London, Surrey as well other parts of the UK.

As a busy mum with two boys, one child with additional needs, Suezanne understands how the challenges of life can effect our clients lives which is why SMQ Legal prides itself of offering appointments to accommodate the needs of the clients and offer early morning and evening appointments when required.

Suezanne is part of many pro bono projects in Oxford and is also a Resolutions Committee member to help raise money for children-law centres and organise events.

Suezanne’s personable approach with her clients and true understanding of their plight enables her to represent her client’s best interests at all times.

Anna Platt

My name is Anna Platt. I am Police Station Coordinator/Paralegal at SMQ Legal Services. I joined SMQ after working in Family Law for 20 years.

Outside of SMQ Legal Services I enjoy spending time with my husband and young family, I also love to watch football.

Martin Harvey

Martin is a vastly experienced Crown Court Practitioner.

He worked for many years for a defence practice in North London. He then joined the busiest criminal practice in Oxford where he remained for 14 years. He then headed up the Crown Court Department at another prominent Oxford firm for 15 years. He joined SMQ Legal in 2021 as a consultant.

Martin is hugely popular with clients.

He has defended in over 40 murders. Notable cases include:

• R v R and others (murder of PC Blakelock – Tottenham riots
• R v Watson 87 Cr. App. R. 1 (jury direction on ‘give and take’)
• R -v- E and P (two Oxford schoolboys charged with the murder of a taxi driver)
• R v H (murder of landlady)
• R v K and others (victim was killed, put into a suitcase and taken to Oxford where the body was burned)
• I have acted in excess of 30 allegations of murder.

Divya Varghese

In 2021, I completed my Law with Politics degree at Bournemouth University, achieving a 2:1. Eager to make a difference, I decided to dedicate my time as a volunteer adviser at Citizens Advice Bureau.

During my time at Citizens Advice, I played a vital role alongside a dedicated team of volunteers, providing invaluable assistance across a diverse range of areas. From guiding individuals through the intricacies of debt management to offering advice on benefits, facilitating food bank applications, resolving complex housing issues, and addressing employment law concerns. I feel proud to have made an impactful contribution to my local community.

Concurrently, I embraced the opportunity to take on the role as a legal information consultant at a distinguished private healthcare company. This experience exposed me to the nuanced workings of the legal field, allowing me to refine my knowledge and expand my understanding of the industry.

In May 2023, I joined SMQ, as a criminal law paralegal, taking a significant step forward in my legal career. I am excited to further develop my skills and expertise within the profession.

Joesph Fisher