About Me

Professional Proofreading Service

Welcome to Proofreading by Dawn.
I specialize in providing an expert proofreading service for court reporters throughout the US and
within the UK.
With 25 years of experience in the criminal justice system, I bring a unique perspective to my work:
a familiarity with legal terminology, jargon, and common phrases.

A Life Rooted in Family and Adventure

I was born on the Isle of Wight on the south coast of England, and I’m proud to still call it my home. When I’m not working, you’ll often find me spending quality time with my family, including my eight wonderful grandchildren.

I have a passion for travel, especially in our campervan, exploring the beautiful British Isles. The Scottish Highlands and islands are particular favorites along with the Lake District and Snowdonia National Parks. Further afield, I love cruising on the high seas and watching the England cricket team play on tour. I also enjoy hiking in the mountains, puzzles, reading Stephen King novels, and listening to an eclectic mix of music, especially Foo Fighters and P!nk.

A Career in Criminal Justice

With over two decades of experience working for His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service, I’ve gained extensive knowledge of the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

After completing AS-level law, I joined the Probation Service as a receptionist and administrator, and the following year I was promoted to an officer role where I was responsible for managing offenders in the community. After a few years, I took a secondment in the local prison where I helped prisoners to find safe and suitable housing prior to their release. I then spent 11 years in a court role, providing a service in both magistrates’ and crown courts, making presentations to the judiciary, and writing reports to assist in the sentencing process.

I learned the importance of every tiny detail. One incorrectly used word or comma can completely change the meaning of a sentence and inadvertently lead to a lengthy legal argument, wasting precious time, or even a miscarriage of justice.
When preparing for court and reading through reports that colleagues had written, I would find myself proofreading them. After all, I was the one responsible for addressing a courtroom full of people and presenting their report, so I wanted it to be well constructed, concise, and professional.

Why Proofreading?

The time was right for me to follow a different path and chase my dream. I’ve always loved words and puzzles, and I’m also one of those people who gets frustrated when I see incorrectly used apostrophes in shop windows and on the side of work vans, spelling errors on menus, and poor punctuation on advertising flyers. To me, proofreading is like puzzling: it’s about detecting and correcting errors. I love it!

So I studied with the College of Media and Publishing and earned a proofreading and editing diploma at QLS Level 4 (with distinction). This marked the beginning of my professional journey into this field.

After discovering the world of proofreading transcripts, I decided to use my criminal justice background to specialize in an area I know well. I trained in Transcript Proofreading, which involved 60 lessons across 13 modules; 50 practice transcripts, including hearings, depositions, trials, and examinations under oath; and two hand-graded exams. This course also improved my understanding of the American legal system as well as refining my proficiency in US English.

I’m so happy to have found a new career that perfectly balances my love of the English language and my interest in justice, both criminal and civil.