In light of the current news we've compiled some information and safety advice for barristers, as well as links to wellbeing and mental health support. We'll keep the information updated. Read more: barcouncil.org.uk/resource/r…
ALT Text reads: Racist violence and riots: support for barristers. The Bar Council logo is in the top right of the image.
Our thoughts are with our immigration colleagues who we understand are being targeted in the riots. We have been told that police have advised some offices to close.
If anyone needs any books or access to the magazine please let LAG know & we will provide it free.
Stay safe x
Today we join over 240 orgs to stand in solidarity with those affected by the recent acts of violence, many of whom have already fled unimaginable horrors to try to find safety. This must be a turning point.
Read the statement here: bit.ly/3AipP9y#TogetherWithRefugees
We stand with colleagues - solicitors and barristers - in immigration law.
Lord MacDermott, former Lord Chief Justice on why the #ruleoflaw matters:
“… the law should … enshrine the rule of law which is the badge of a free people, it stands for equality before the law, for the independence of the courts, for the absence of arbitrary government and for established sources of law.”
Equal #accesstojustice for all citizens and organisations, regardless of background or political persuasion means criminal barristers - and all barristers - putting aside their personal or political views.
Any criminal barrister that also brings their own personal or political views into the court is in danger of failing in their duty to represent either side independently and it is this independence that preserves the fairness of our justice system.
Today I spoke to two immigration solicitors and both conversations ended with two words I never thought I would ever have to say: "Stay safe."
lawgazette.co.uk/news/upset-…
The article explores whether the Female Genital Mutilation Act 2003 needs amending in light of the issues that the sentencing remarks potentially highlight.
The inter-relationship between criminal and family cases is discussed, including how a prosecution for a FGM related offence does not necessarily result in parallel family proceedings.
The article reviews some of the observations made by the sentencing judge including the lack of sentencing guidelines for certain FGM related offences and the requirement of Type 4 FGM to involve ‘mutilation’ to result in criminal liability.
The main ground of appeal for which leave was granted is that the approach taken by the trial judge to the law on conspiracy was incorrect.
For more information see KidsOfColourHQ: x.com/KidsOfColourHQ/status/…#Manchester10
📣 MORE MANCHESTER 10 APPEAL NEWS 📣
Yesterday we told you that the 7 boys who went to the Royal Courts of Justice in July had permission to appeal GRANTED 🔥.
Want to know on which grounds? Well here we go ⤵️
Point (a) is a truly excellent ground to have granted!
ALT GROUNDS FOR THE MANCHESTER 10 APPEAL
Leave to appeal against conviction has been granted on the following grounds:
(a) The approach to the law of conspiracy by the judge was wrong.
(b) The judge's directions on the use of Boy 1 and Boy 2's guilty pleas to count 2 were wrong.
(c) The judge misdirected the jury on section 34 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.
(d) The judge was wrong to admit the photograph of Boy 7 and Boy 9 with the cash by the ear.
(e) The summing up by the judge of the cash by the ear in relation to Boy 7 was wrong.
(f) The identification evidence of Boy 7 by PC McGregor was wrongly admitted.
Refused:
• Extensions of time and leave to appeal in respect of all the other grounds of appeal against conviction.
• Refused all other applications for leave to rely on fresh evidence.
Leave to appeal against sentence has been granted for: Boy 7, Boy 8 and Boy 9
The tribunal allowed the appeal, finding the applicants dependent on the sponsors, and unable to meet their essential living needs without the sponsors' support.
View Margo's profile and read more of her latest cases here: onepumpcourt.co.uk/barrister…
Margo Munro Kerr acted for a young man sentenced to a 2 year community order following conviction for theft and taking a vehicle without consent. View Margo's profile here: onepumpcourt.co.uk/barrister…
Congratulations to the following members of Chambers:
⭐ David Chirico has been appointed as a fee-paid Judge of the First Tier Tribunal, HESC Tribunal.
⭐ Gilda Kiai has been appointed as a fee-paid Judge of the First Tier Tribunal, General Regulatory Chamber.
⭐ Deborah Revill has been appointed as a fee-paid Judge of the First-Tier Tribunal, Immigration and Asylum Chamber.
⭐Ben Bundock has been appointed as a fee-paid Judge of the First Tier Tribunal, Immigration and Asylum Chamber.
As a member of the new sub-committee of the Online Procedure Rules Committee, Sophie Walker will be working alongside judges sitting in the tribunals, county courts, as well as the Court of Appeal, and other practitioners in civil and family court.
Over the next 12 months, the committee will be working on developing new data standards, improving governance and developing court rules for online court hearings. For more information and to view Sophie's profile click here: onepumpcourt.co.uk/news/soph…
Kitan Ososami’s client was charged with having a bladed article in public, namely a knife. He raised the defence of good reason as he was a chef and had been at a trial shift earlier in the day. The jury unanimously acquitted Kitan’s client.
Therefore, he avoided a minimum term of six months imprisonment as someone with a previous relevant conviction.
Kitan was instructed by Tony Burton of JS Defence Lawyers.
For more information and to view Kitan's profile click here: onepumpcourt.co.uk/cases/r-v…
Our Business Immigration Conference was a huge hit! So much so, that we also streamed the seminar as an online event due to high demand. Thank you to our fantastic speakers and all attendees. Sign up to be the first to know about future events: lnkd.in/eRnbNjMb