Debra Scudamore

Debra qualified as a Solicitor in 1992.

After a successful 23 years in the Magistrates’ Courts Service namely at Bournemouth (Legal Adviser), Newham E15 (Senior Legal Adviser) and Wimbledon Magistrates’ Courts (Director of Executive Services, Policy and Training/Deputy Clerk to the Justices) advising in Court and training Lay Magistrates both in Crime, Licensing and Family law, Debra moved to private practice as a Consultant Solicitor specialising in Criminal Defence.

As an experienced Solicitor Advocate, Renshaw Derrick & Co has instructed Debra since 2004 as our Consultant Solicitor in all areas of our practice.   She is on the Court and Police Station Duty Solicitor rota and has dealt with clients charged with minor motoring offences to very serious offences such as rape, sexual assaults, robbery, manslaughter and murder.  She has a very good success rate as a Trial Advocate in summary trials.      

Having trained and advised Lay Magistrates, Debra has the advantage over others of understanding how to address Magistrates, whilst defending her clients to achieve the best possible outcome.  She has a reputation of being very persuasive in her arguments whilst retaining courtesy and respect for all Court users. 

Debra is a committed and personable advocate, a good communicator, always calm under pressure and is very well respected by both clients and fellow professionals.