We are pleased to announce that Marie Spenwyn has been appointed a Recorder on the advice of the Lord Chancellor. She will sit in Crime on the South-Eastern Circuit. Marie Spenwyn is an established senior practitioner in crime who practises in substantial and serious cases nationally. Simon Csoka QC, head of chambers, said, “The Recorder contest is extremely difficult and competitive; it is an incredible achievement to get through each round and be appointed. This appointment is recognition of the hard work, skill, and talent of Marie together with the high regard in which she is held. We all congratulate her on this success.”

Felicity Gerry QC has given expert interviews on the Virginia Giuffre v Prince Andrew litigation this week on BBC Newsnight, Sky News, and on various BBC Breakfast shows. She was asked about Judge Kaplan’s ruling on the motion to dismiss and the next steps in the process. Broadly speaking she said the following: This was a ruling on a motion to dismiss which is an early method of stopping the case. The judge is bound by law to assume the allegations are correct and to consider whether (a) they are not too vague to proceed and (b) the agreement with Epstein on one interpretation is not binding. These issues were decided (a) as not vague enough to be thrown out early but that does not decide whether they will be successful at trial and (b) the application of the agreement can be interpreted as not binding but that will have to be decided at trial too. There will now be a timetable to trial which will include dates for discovery on both sides – VG will be asked for clarity and PA will be asked for details. This is a normal legal process and judges are often asked to decide if each party has complied so expect further hearings along the way. There are more legal arguments likely on jurisdiction (whether VG has sufficient connection with the US for the law to apply) and limitation (whether the time limit to bring a claim is validly extended). These are NOT technicalities but how the law works to be fair to all parties to litigation. On the BBC interview with Prince Andrew she said that often an interview given in relation to allegations will be admissible at trial. Clients often do not interview well but that does not necessarily mean they have done what is alleged. That will be decided on all the evidence. View the BBC iPlayer video here or by clicking the image below. The Prince Andrew story begins at 24 minutes and our very own Felicity Gerry QC appears from 27 minutes onwards. https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/ Prince Andrew to face civil sex case – https://news.sky.com/ Virginia Giuffre ‘on campaign to expose evils of sexual abuse’, says lawyer: https://news.sky.com/  

Darren Snow, instructed by the Royal College of Nursing’s Head Office Legal Team, recently represented a mental health nurse at an Article 2 Jury Inquest at Bedford Coroner Court. The inquest investigated the circumstances surrounding the death of a prisoner, Ezra Tamiem, who was on remand at HMP Bedford. He was found hanging in his cell on the healthcare wing on the morning of the 16th July 2020 having barricaded his cell door and constructed a mannequin from clothing and bedding to give the impression he was asleep in bed to those checking him overnight. There had been concerns for his mental health and use of ligatures whilst on remand but his condition was believed to be much improved by July 2020. When assessed a few days before his death he was considered to be stable and presenting a low risk of suicide. He remained on the ACTT programme for “at risk” prisoners but observations overnight were reduced to 4 random observations. Time of death was not established. The jury reached a finding of Suicide with a narrative concluding that failures with the prison’s care, risk assessment and overnight observations contributed to the death.

Libertas Chambers is delighted to announce that, in addition to her practice, Felicity Gerry QC has become a member of the Disciplinary Council of the Association of Defence Council practising before the International Courts and Tribunals (ADC – ICT). Felicity works internationally and specialises in domestic and international criminal law with a focus on complicity, including alleged joint criminal enterprise and command responsibility/ leadership liability.  

Directed not guilty verdicts were returned for Sarah Day’s client, during his trial for armed robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence at Harrow Crown Court. Sarah was instructed by David Holmes at Dalton Holmes Gray.

It’s December, and with that comes the final edition of our Lens newsletter for 2021. We have an end of year update from Simon Csoka QC (Head of Chambers), we introduce our latest member Syam Soni, share four new insight articles from our experts, release information about our first two webinars of 2022 and share some recent case / news updates. To view the December 2021 edition, click here To register for Libertas Lens and ensure you never miss out on our news, events and free webinars follow this link or click Join our Newsletter in the footer below.

Kieran Galvin was instructed by Simon Walker of Appleby, Hope & Matthews Solicitors from Middlesbrough to represent Mr Shaun Storey, a former Detective Constable who was charged with two offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990. Mr Storey made two searches without authority on the Cleveland Constabulary computer system. On the first day of his trial the judge ruled that he had no defence in law and thereafter Mr Storey pleaded guilty to the two offences he was charged with. Mr Storey was an esteemed detective, an expert in investigating child sex offences. He was seconded to investigate the London bombing. He has been highly commended for his work in freeing a kidnap victim, for securing a conviction in a violent murder and more generally as a force for good. Mr Storey was fined £5185, the judge noting his public service and hitherto blameless character. Teeside Live

Simon Csoka QC successfully defended Joey Barton at Sheffield Crown Court on a charge of assault occasioning actual harm. Joey Barton is a former England international, premier league footballer for Manchester City and Newcastle United, and also played for Glasgow Rangers and Olympique de Marseille. At the time of the allegation, he was managing his first club, Fleetwood Town. He is currently the manager of Bristol Rovers. He was accused of shoulder barging Daniel Stendel, the former manager of Barnsley FC, after Barnsley won at home against Fleetwood. Daniel Stendel lost a tooth and suffered bruising after falling in the tunnel. After a seven day trial, the jury acquitted unanimously in less than two hours. Simon was instructed by Richard Derby of Potter Derby Solicitors. Media links: BBC Sky Sports The Guardian Daily Mail