A small two-partner law firm said it was 'devastated' this week as promising young solicitor Fiona Stevenson was reported missing following the bomb blasts in London.

Ms Stevenson, a criminal law specialist, was last heard of when she called the office last Thursday to say that she would be running late. Her family has not yet been informed whether Ms Stevenson is among those who lost their lives during the attacks last week.


Colin Reynolds and Elizabeth Fox, partners at Reynolds Dawson in London, said Ms Stevenson's 'bubbly personality' and 'care and compassion for colleagues as well as clients', were 'cherished qualities' within the practice. They described Ms Stevenson as a 'hard-working, conscientious and supremely able criminal lawyer.'


Ms Stevenson had just returned from a three-month unpaid sabbatical to Belize, funded by a charitable organisation, where she had been advising the Belize government on proposals to implement new child protection legislation. She qualified as a solicitor in 1999 and joined the specialist criminal law firm in 2003.


A statement by the firm said: 'A qualified court duty solicitor and police station accredited representative, Fiona's entire career history has been a testament to her dedication to the cause of representing those ensnared in the criminal justice system, but unable to defend themselves... Our thoughts are with her family who continue to show commendable courage in such difficult circumstances.'