Mr. Edwards QC leading Miss Ayesha Smart have been in the Queens Bench division of the High Court for the last two weeks. They are instructed in a case of alleged breach of professional duties in negligence by a senior junior Barrister and solicitor. The combination of Mr. Edwards expertise in Crime, together with regulatory and civil matters, and that of Miss Smart in Civil, Professional negligence and crime make them a formidable team. Collectively or individually they are happy to advise and assist either defendants or claimants when such difficulties arise.
Edward Lucas appeared at Woolwich CC this week to prosecute a Defendant that is alleged to have abducted C from Plumstead High Street. He is 52 and she is 28. The latter requires 24 hour, 7 days a week supervision due to severe learning difficulties. She has the mental age of 5. It is alleged that he took her to his house and sexually assaulted her. The Crown say that she had no capacity to consent to any sexual behaviour. The case appeared for a ground rules hearing this week and there will be limited and agreed section 28 cross examination next week.
Andrew Kerr and Sharmila Salvi conducted a three week trial at Portsmouth CC that collapsed in the second week when the dock officer tested positive for COVID. One wonders whether a three defendant trial expected to last 2-3 weeks should ever have started.
Along with 3 high profile cases being set down for trials in 2022 this week, Mohammed Saqib secured a successful outcome for his client in St Albans Crown Court. The Defendant pleaded guilty to two counts under the Malicious Communications Act 1988; Mohammed was able to secure an 18-month community order and avoided a custodial sentence. The Defendant had accepted going to extravagant lengths to commit offences against two different victims. The community order included 120 hours of unpaid work and 25 rehabilitation activity requirement.
I am delighted to announce that Daniel Foster has joined Chambers as a Door Tenant with immediate effect.
Dan Foster is an experienced trial advocate with a good success rate who has received judicial praise for his advocacy, tenacity and ability with a jury. He has a mixed criminal and family practice, and often deals with cases where the two areas of law intersect. He also has a growing regulatory practice (particularly sports) and he also deals with motoring offences.
He is a former duty solicitor, crown court litigator and solicitor advocate who obtained his higher rights of audience in 2011 and has appeared regularly in the crown court ever since.
Dan was born and raised in Sheffield and continues to live here with his family. He has great pride in his home town and strong links to Ingle community boxing project in Wincobank, where he advises and mentors a number of young people.
Have a great weekend all.
Jamie