255 results
22 Sep 2021 16:10
Sentencing in the age of the DecoyAlex Menary and Charlotte Noddings consider the impact of R v Reed [2021] EWCA Crim 572 The recent (4/3/21) case of Reed was a final attempt by the Court of Appeal to align the overarching principle in sentencing practice in sexual cases involving children where either: the child involved was a more...
24 Aug 2021 11:28
Thomas Acworth’s client unanimously acquitted in drug dealer torture trialThomas Acworth’s client, TH, has been acquitted of false imprisonment, possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, making threats to kill, robbery and ABH following a three week trial at Winchester Crown Court. The prosecution alleged that, together with two others, TH tortured a more...
17 Aug 2021 14:39
MA position statement on unauthorised encampmentsFrom November 2019 to March 2020 the Home Office held a public consultation on measures to criminalise trespassing when setting up an unauthorised encampment in England and Wales. The Magistrates Association (MA) welcomed the consultation process on the proposed changes and responded to the more...
10 Aug 2021 16:01
At the cliff-edge of 17It is simply unfair to penalise young people for delays in the court system. To appear before the adult court for an offence allegedly committed while the defendant was still legally a child has the potential to trigger a range of consequences which can have a serious impact on their future, more...
10 Aug 2021 14:37
R V SSRichard Orme was led by Julia Smart QC in a three-week trial at Chester Crown Court. They represented a mother who was found not guilty of both Murder and Causing/Allowing the Death of a Child. The case involved a multiplicity of medical experts from various disciplines. The case was covered on the more...
10 Aug 2021 14:33
Benjamin Myers QC secures verdict of Not Guilty to MurderBenjamin Myers QC from Exchange Chambers has secured a verdict of not guilty to murder for AM after a trial at Chester Crown Court. The allegation of murder arose from the death of a 3-month-old baby in July 2020 from catastrophic head and brain injuries. AM was the baby’s father. The case turned on more...
30 Jul 2021 11:32
Justice Select Committee report on legal aidThe Justice Select Committee’s Third Report of their Inquiry into the Future of Legal Aid has been published, with the MA welcoming its main findings which are in line with our evidence to the Committee. The report calls for urgent reforms to legal aid, warning that a rigid system of fixed fees and more...
6 Jul 2021 11:53
MA Legal Aid Position StatementBackground The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) came into effect in April 2013, reducing funding for legal aid, a service that can help meet the costs of legal advice, representation and family mediation in a court or tribunal. For family law, while public law more...
29 Jun 2021 11:22
When Should You Choose A Settlement?Legal disputes have many stages before they reach a judge to deliver a verdict, for both civil and criminal cases. Continue reading here https://www.hillhousechambers.co.uk/post/when-should-you-choose-a-settlement more...
23 Jun 2021 09:35
Criminal charges against Councillor dropped after representation from Imran Shafi QCImran Shafi QC from Exchange Chambers was privately instructed to defend a Councillor facing serious criminal allegations. No further details are set out here in order to protect the Councillor’s privacy. Following various targeted and comprehensive disclosure requests and representations being made more...
2 Jun 2021 14:57
R V KANE JORDANDavid James defended Kane Jordan who has received a suspended sentence for Causing Death by Careless Driving. The sentence follows a five-day trial at which Mr Jordan was acquitted of the more serious offence of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving and also an offence of Causing Death by Driving more...
26 May 2021 10:12
R V PETER JONESPhilip Clemo prosecuted Peter Jones, the former Assistant Chief Constable of Hampshire Police, who was charged with numerous counts related to indecent images of children. Jones had 53 category A images, 387 category B and 19,701 category C images. Jones, who retired from the police 21 years ago, more...
21 May 2021 11:09
MA responds to Victims' Commissioner's special measures reviewThe Victims' Commissioner, Dame Vera Baird, has published a new review of special measures, exploring their current provision from the initial assessment of witnesses' needs all the way to trial. The review draws on testimony from criminal justice professionals and victim support services, outlining more...
11 May 2021 11:19
R V ILLIE & OTHERSMark Connor successfully prosecuted an OCG of six Romanian nationals who ran a planned and professional shoplifting operation across the length and breadth of the UK. They stole goods from Asda to a value in excess of £160K. They were jailed for a total of over 20 years. The case received coverage more...
27 Apr 2021 15:39
MA national chair gives evidence to Justice Select CommitteeMA national chair Bev Higgs today gave evidence to the Justice Select Committee for their Covid-19 and the criminal law inquiry. After describing how the Single Justice Procedure (SJP) works and the kind of offences it is used for, Bev emphasised that the MA has concerns about transparency and more...
26 Apr 2021 14:59
R V THOMAS ANDERSONAndrew O’Byrne QC and David James represented Thomas Anderson who was sentenced on 16 April 2021 to 20 years imprisonment for the attempted murders of three men during a a shooting spree in Skelmerdale. The case was covered on the BBC and in the Liverpool Echo. more...
19 Apr 2021 15:21
Murder of Susan WaringBarristers from Exchange Chambers have acted for the prosecution and defence in the trial of Alan Edwards, 48, who has been jailed for life, with a minimum term of 27 years, for the murder of Susan Waring, 45, and 19 offences of historic violence against females spanning a period of 24 years. For more...
13 Apr 2021 10:27
Philip Tully secures acquittal for client on drug importation chargePhilip Tully from Exchange Chambers has secured the acquittal of a man charged with the importation of 147 kilos of cocaine into the UK. The defendant was said to have operated a safe house for the drugs to be delivered but was found not guilty after a trial at Mold Crown Court. Philip Tully – who more...
13 Apr 2021 09:49
R V CONNOR JACKSON-WESTWOOD & ASHLEY DISSINGTONDavid James has prosecuted Ashley Dissington and Connor Jackson-Westwood who have each pleaded guilty to involvement in the importation of 615kg of cocaine and heroin with a street value of up to £61m. Each defendant has also pleaded guilty to possession of weapons. The defendants are due to be more...
24 Mar 2021 11:25
R V Abdirashid HusseinMaria Brannan secured the acquittal of a client charged with violent disorder, following successful legal argument excluding police identification evidence purporting to place the client at the scene. The client appeared for trial at the Bolton Crown Court and was acquitted of all charges. Maria was more...
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