Patryk Pachecka and Grzegorz Szal, have been unanimously acquitted of Murder and Manslaughter after a trial at the Central Criminal Court. Patryk Pachecka has now been reunited with his family in Gdansk, Poland. Both men were convicted of Murder in December 2017 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years, while the killer escaped responsibility. Their convictions were overturned in January 2021. The way the evidence was presented at Trial 1 in 2017 was significantly different from how it was presented in 2021 at the retrial after painstaking efforts by Mr Pachecka’s legal team to uncover the truth. Investigative journalists based in Poland working for TVN media uncovered critical information about a co-defendant who misled the first jury about his character status. There was fresh pathological and scientific evidence led by pathologists based in Northern Ireland and Germany, respectively, Professor Crane, Dr Buschmann and blood expert, Joanne Millington. Throughout the appellate process and subsequent proceedings, Patryk Pachecka and his legal team have been supported by the Polish Consulate and the Miscarriage of Justice Organisation, INSIDE JUSTICE. Patryk Pachecka was represented by Siobhan Grey QC and Richard Vardon and instructed by Jason Lartey of Lartey and Co. Siobhan Grey QC specialises in Homicide cases and is reading for a Diploma in Forensic Medicine. 

Darren Snow, instructed by Thompson’s Solicitors, represented midwife JG in fitness to practice proceedings before the Nursing & Midwifery Council concerning the care and tragic death of a baby on a high-risk delivery unit going back to November 2013. JG and 4 other midwives faced multiple allegations in respect of their respective care and treatment over the course of several shifts to an expectant mother where the baby died soon after birth. The case commenced in January 2020 and went part-heard, with various hearings – finally concluding in November 2021, taking some 58 days in total spread over 20 months. The case had gone through an internal investigation by the NHS Trust, a police investigation and an inquest before the case reached the NMC. Evidence at the hearing revealed systemic failures within the Trust with chronic understaffing and deployment of newly qualified and inexperienced midwives onto a high-risk unit, together with failures by registrars also on duty – all combining to play significant parts in the tragic events that unfolded. Evidence established that Darren’s client had managed her own high-risk patients on her shift with care and skill. Expert evidence during the hearing also revealed significant failings in training on CTG interpretation within the midwifery profession. Darren’s client was found to not be impaired on clinical grounds. The outcome was a 12-month caution order for Darren’s client, based solely upon public interest findings which the panel emphasised enabled her to continue in unrestricted practice as a midwife.

Gerard Hillman’s client was arrested for attempted murder and subsequently charged with a conspiracy to wound with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. The case involved a gang of at least 5 men who entered a local park at lunchtime on a Sunday afternoon during a football match.  The gang (that the prosecution alleged included Gerard’s client) attacked the victim by shooting him and stabbing him on multiple occasions. Gerard’s legal defence detailed analysis of the mobile telephone call data and cell site data persuaded the court that the case against his client should be dismissed. Gerard was instructed by Adam Foster of Robert Lizar Solicitors This is the fourth application to dismiss Gerard has argued this year, all of which have been successful.

Chambers and Partners 2022 has been released today ranking Libertas as a Leading Set in both Crime and Financial Crime. This is a fantastic achievement recognising the contribution of all members and clerks since Libertas opened its virtual doors 12 months ago.  Individual members at Libertas have been ranked in the practice areas set out below. Libertas thanks all those who provided such positive assessments and congratulates all our clients, partners and colleagues who have also been ranked. Libertas Chambers – Leading Set – Crime & Financial Crime – View Chambers & Partners profile Individual Ranked QCs & Juniors Simon Csoka QC –  Ranked in: Crime, Financial Crime – View Chambers & Partners profile “He is academically on a different planet and so good when it comes to understanding a case.” “A truly fantastic silk and someone you want on your side.” Leonard Smith QC – Ranked in: Crime, Financial Crime – View Chambers & Partners profile “He will work around the clock to make sure he has read every piece of evidence, even if it’s already been considered by the junior, in order to make sure he has considered every angle of the case.” “He prepares very well and is a ruthless cross-examiner.” Adam Kane QC – Ranked in: Crime, Financial Crime – View Chambers & Partners profile “An incredible silk and effective defence barrister. He is very determined in his language.” “A wonderful advocate with a lovely turn of phrase – juries like him very much.” “He is a strong advocate for his clients.” Siobhan Grey QC – Ranked in: Crime – View Chambers & Partners profile “She fights for her client and goes that extra mile.” Felicity Gerry QC – Ranked in Crime – View Chambers & Partners profile “Produces succinct and cogent submissions and is always looking to push the law forward.” Keith Mitchell – Ranked in: Financial Crime – View Chambers & Partners profile “A really good advocate who has a lovely manner with the jury.” Roxanne Morrell – Ranked in: Crime – View Chambers & Partners profile “Her cross-examination of witnesses is superb.” James Walker – Ranked in: Crime – View Chambers & Partners profile “A safe pair of hands and a clever advocate who excels in making closing speeches to the jury.” Gerard Hillman – Ranked in: Crime, Financial Crime – View Chambers & Partners profile “He is a brilliant jury advocate and great at persuading the jury when acting for the defence.” “His breadth of knowledge is exceptional and his technical ability is first-class.” Oliver Cook – Ranked in: Crime – View Chambers & Partners profile “A great technician who understands the more complex areas of the law such as telephone and DNA evidence.” You can read more about what the Guide says about us by visiting Chambers Guide 2022    

Simon Csoka QC and Fahrid Chishty, instructed by Gerry Campbell of Connaught Law, represented a Qatari Sheikh and royal family member at the Central Criminal Court on 19.10.21. The client was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, a single count of causing death by careless driving. The matter related to an incident that took place in August 2019 in which the client, driving his Rolls Royce vehicle in excess of the speed limit, collided with and fatally injured a pedestrian at Duke of Wellington Place in central London. Following detailed written and oral submissions, the Common Serjeant imposed a Suspended Sentence and financial penalty in lieu of immediate custody. The client, who suffers with multiple health conditions, will now be permitted to return to his home jurisdiction. For further information and media please view the below links. Evening Standard Daily Mail Yahoo News To discuss instruction of Simon or Fahrid please contact our clerks by phone on +44 (0) 20 7036 0200 or email us at clerks@libertaschambers.com

We are delighted to announce the addition of Jon Anders and Gulam Ahmed to the team at Libertas Chambers. Jon is an established defence advocate specialising in serious crime for 30 years. He has considerable experience in a wide variety of high profile criminal cases often followed with interest by the media. Gulam is a very experienced leading junior who regularly appears in high-profile cases. His hard work, dedication, and natural ability makes him a favourite amongst professional and lay clients For further information and to download CVs head to our members page today.   To instruct Jon or Gulam please contact our clerks by phone on +44 (0) 20 7036 0200 or email us at clerks@libertaschambers.com  

In the October edition of our Lens newsletter, we are pleased to introduce you to 2 new members, provide an update on our recent rankings in the Chambers and Partners 2022 Guide, and remind you about 3 upcoming Webinars from our expert team and special guest speakers. To view the recent 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.

On the deadline date for submission (14 October 2021), a group of international lawyers and experts on women, peace and security, led by Felicity Gerry QC, submitted in writing to the UK Defence Committee Inquiry into the Withdrawal From Afghanistan that it can be properly inferred that the NATO withdrawal was not planned with the effect on women and girls in mind and it should have been delayed pending a meaningful peace process in which women were involved and human rights for women and girls were taken as core requirements for peace and security. They submitted that the second question of the Committee’s inquiry should be amended to read: ‘What plans were made for the evacuation of Afghan nationals who had worked with or for UK Armed Forces and other Afghan nationals at risk, particularly women in positions of power and responsibility’?’. They also said that the option of remaining without US forces was plainly not considered with women’s issues or positions in mind, that such plans as were made for the evacuation of Afghan nationals at risk do not seem to have prioritised women such as judges and human rights defenders, nor the knock-on effect that the removal of women in power would have on women and girls more generally in Afghanistan. In addition, they suggested that delaying withdrawal would have allowed the peace process, to continue and to include women in that process and take the opportunity to engage on women’s issues. They submitted that it is obvious that the withdrawal and chaotic evacuation have been an utter failure for the women and girls of Afghanistan and that if it went according to plan, the result is shameful: It is abundantly clear that the evacuation of United States, NATO and allied nations resulted in disaster for the people of Afghanistan. Acknowledging that the US-Taliban Agreement was the impetus for the withdrawal, they said that despite a general condition that the level of violence be reduced, it was devoid of protections for the people of Afghanistan, notably the safety and freedoms of the women and girls of Afghanistan and that the people of Afghanistan have been left defenceless and completely vulnerable to the Taliban forces who have begun to implement rules and policies like those imposed when they were last in power in the 1990s. The group consented to the submission being placed publicly by the Committee.