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Simon Csoka KCYear of Call: 1991
Silk: 2011
Expert InAccount Freezing & Asset ForfeitureAppellateBusiness CrimeCivil FraudCivil LitigationCommercial LitigationCriminal DefenceHomicideHuman Trafficking & Modern SlaveryJudicial ReviewPOCA and section 10A litigantsPrivate ProsecutionsProfessional DisciplineRegulatoryRegulatory ProsecutionsRestraint OrdersSexual OffencesTax TribunalTerrorism
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Dr Beatrice Krebs
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Felicity was instructed by the Australian Centre for International Justice and led Daye Gang of the Victorian Bar You can read the JFM press release here justiceformyanmar.org/press-r…
Latest News
Inquest Leads To University Suicide Prevention Report With Libertas Barrister
Libertas Member Chaynee Hodgetts has contributed to a Policy Report for members of the “For the 100” campaign, suggesting stronger strategic safeguards need to be implemented across Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), to seek to prevent avoidable University student deaths by suicide.
This work follows on from Ms Hodgetts representing the Foulkes family (who also contributed to the Report). The family lost their daughter, Mared Thomas Foulkes, by suicide, after she received an automatically generated issue of an inaccurate “degree fail” exam transcript on her Pharmacy degree course at Cardiff University.
Ms Hodgetts became involved with the case, having initially learned, in a Christmas card from a mutual contact, of the family’s struggle to persuade the Coroner that the University should be made an Interested Party (IP) at the inquest – and that the Coroner was not, at that early stage, persuaded as to the potential relevance of the University result received by Mared.
Upon becoming instructed on the case, through Mr Ian Winrow of Winrow Solicitors, Ms Hodgetts undertook a full review of the evidence, sought further disclosure, and made written representations in advance of the Pre-Inquest Review (PIR) that Cardiff University should be an Interested Party (IP) at the inquest, because the automatically computer-issued (and factually incorrect) fail result appeared to be directly linked to events involving Mared on the day she died. Tragically, she never knew that the computer-generated result was wrong, and that she had in fact passed.
Following Ms Hodgetts’ submissions at the Pre-Inquest Review (PIR), the Coroner ordered Cardiff University must become an Interested Party at the inquest, held in 2021. After several days of evidence at inquest, still represented by Ms Hodgetts, the family learned more – with the Coroner returning a Conclusion of suicide, and directed the University had to improve its exam results policy and provide better pastoral care. Ms Hodgetts’ further representations at inquest, that a Regulation 28 Preventing Future Deaths Report was necessary, were acted upon by the Coroner.
The Coroner, in the resultant Regulation 28 Preventing Future Deaths Report, ruled: “Mared Thomas Foulkes, aged 21, died beneath the Britannia Bridge on 8 July 2020. Mared was a student at the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Cardiff University studying for a M Pharm. She had received examination results the morning she died indicating that she had ‘not successfully completed this year/stage of her programme of study’. It was revealed after her death that she had successfully completed the year (once the ratification process had occurred)… During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken… The sharing of examination results and how examinations are marked is complex, confusing, and at times capable of appearing misleading.” The Coroner ruled that Cardiff University were statutorily required to review their policies for the issuing and ratification of exam results, and the provision of proper pastoral support around the time of results day, and made specific recommendations. The University later provided a statutory response to the Coroner, and apologised publicly to the Foulkes family.
Mared’s family have since joined the “For the 100” campaign, along with other families seeking improved suicide prevention measures for students in UK Universities.
The latest media reporting on the new Policy Report [A. Griffiths, E. Roberts, M. Flynn and C. Hodgetts (with I. Foulkes and G. Foulkes), “The Case for Better Student Suicide Prevention in Higher Education: Some Observations from Wales” (August 2024, Policy Paper)] can be found here:
https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-11-11/my-daughter-took-her-own-life-seven-hours-after-getting-university-result
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14068143/student-killed-failed-exam-university-tragedy.html
Selected previous media reports on the PIR and inquest can be found here:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-59080475
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9892155/Student-21-dead-learning-failed-Cardiff-University-exam.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10142029/Student-fell-death-bridge-getting-email-WRONGLY-telling-failed-exams.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10211899/Coroner-says-Cardiff-University-change-results-policy-student-killed-mix-up.html
The Coroner’s Regulation 28 “Preventing Future Deaths” report, made in respect of Cardiff University, can be found here: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Mared-Foulkes-Prevention-of-future-deaths-report-2021-0378_Published.pdf
The “For the 100’” campaign is a group of parents and families calling for better duty of care for students from Universities, with the “100” signifying the annual number of student deaths by suicide in Universities: https://www.forthe100.org.uk/
Libertas Chambers
Libertas Chambers Members Defend in Operation Reprefer
Grahame James leads Sarah Day in Cardiff Crown Court, representing a defendant charged with multiple conspiracies to breach immigration laws in the EU. Grahame and Sarah are instructed by Mark Davies at Goldstones.
Read more about the case here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgl79l2ep1o.amp
Libertas Chambers
Serious Charges against Military Veteran – Case Dropped
Chaynee Hodgetts, instructed by Ashley Smith of Ashley Smith Solicitors, secured Not Guilty verdicts, with the Prosecution offering no evidence against a military veteran charged with serious allegations, including controlling or coercive behaviour, stalking involving serious alarm or distress, theft (x 2); criminal damage, and intimidation.
After considering Ms Hodgetts’ written application to dismiss all charges, accompanied by Defence solicitors’ written representations, the Prosecution offered no evidence on all charges on this six count indictment – before the application to dismiss was even heard in court.
Furthermore, the Prosecution did not pursue any application for a Restraining Order on acquittal (so none was imposed) – and a Defence Costs Order was granted. The Complainant was in full support of this outcome to the case.
This case involved representing a military veteran living with PTSD and mental health matters, who was being assisted by the Royal British Legion and other support services.
Libertas Chambers
Latest Insights
Marie Spenwyn contributes to August edition of Counsel magazine
Marie Spenwyn contributed an article to the August edition of Counsel magazine, co-written with Lynda Gibbs KC (Hon).
In the article, they explain the process to, and significance of, a course developed for the Inns of Court College of Advocacy (ICCA) for those representing children in the criminal justice system.
The ICCA working group set out to draw together myriad resources to better equip practitioners to fulfil their regulatory duties and to continue its push for advocacy for children to be a specialist area of practice.
Marie has been a member of the working party for a number of years working on the development of, and now delivery of the training course.
Read the article through the link to the edition below – you can find the article on pages 20 and 21 of the publication.
https://www.counselmagazine.co.uk/articles/advocacy-for-children-in-conflict-with-the-law
In other news, Marie Spenwyn is one of the newly elected Masters of the Bench of Gray’s Inn.
More information can be found at the Gray’s Inn website: https://www.graysinn.org.uk/news/new-masters-of-the-bench-trinity-election-2024/
Libertas Chambers
Sending Christine Keeler to prison was a National disgrace
By Dr Felicity Gerry KC
I am delighted to see our campaign for the posthumous exoneration of Christine Keeler being covered for 4 days in The Mirror.
The campaign is being brought by her son Seymour Platt who was left the task of telling her real story in her will. At the height of the “Profumo Scandal” Christine was the victim of a violent assault by a man called Lucky Gordon. He was prosecuted but sacked his lawyers and represented himself. In cross examination of her, he admitted assaulting her. She told the police she had not mentioned two other witnesses because they asked her not to. On the suggestion that she had lied about about who was present, Gordon’s conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal (the court unusually expressing their belief that Christine was telling the truth). Nonetheless she was prosecuted for perjury and PCJ. She pleaded guilty and was sent to prison.
She was under terrible pressure. For example, news reports account members of the public throwing eggs at her outside the Old Bailey in Stephen Ward’s trial where she was also wrongly accused of being a sex worker. Ward took his life before verdicts on whether it could be shown he was not living on her “immoral” earnings. These events framed Christine Keeler appallingly for the rest of her life, as Seymour Platt has explained in the Mirror. The law on the charges Christine faced (despite being a victim) only applies if there is a “material lie”. That Christine did not state that two other men were present when she was violently assaulted was totally irrelevant, especially as a proper investigation would have revealed they saw the attack and because her attacker admitted in court he assaulted her The Criminal Cases Review Commission is now quite properly investigating the case.
The implications of the comments her silk Jeremy Hutchinson QC made at the time made it obvious she pleaded guilty when she was not, and she was shamed, unlike others whose reputation has been restored. There is a real risk that she was wrongly convicted. Sending her to prison was dreadful and she rightly deserves a posthumous exoneration. It would also go a long way to reframing a case that is the epitome of slut shaming, fitting with modern CPS guidance on violence against women and girls
Libertas Chambers
Chambers Article: Rule 25.9(2)(c): Defence Statements and ‘openings’
Traditionally in England and Wales the defence may give an opening address at the start of the defence case, but only where evidence is to be called other than from the accused person. In many cases this means that the issues are not identified clearly until a late stage and in long cases there can be an advantage to the prosecution to dominate the trial issues.
In a recent webinar we discussed this topic of delivery of defence openings / summary of issues and how defence statements can be framed to support a defence opening.
This article is a summary of the key provisions discussed.
Click below to read in full.
Download Article now
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Libertas Chambers
Latest Events
Dr Felicity Gerry KC will be at the International Bar Association Conference in Paris from 29 Oct to 3 Nov
Dr Felicity Gerry KC will be at the International Bar Association Conference in Paris from 29 Oct to 3 Nov – She is the Asia Pacific Member of the Criminal Law Committee – if you are attending, she would be delighted to meet you
Conference details here #IBA2023 https://www.ibanet.org/conference-details/CONF2244.
Felicity is currently awaiting verdicts in the Al Hassan trial at the ICC and drafted the memorandum that led to the $82m divestment of the Golden City Investment Scheme in Myanmar. She was recently listed as one of the top 5 international lawyers you would want on your side – details here https://lawandcrime.com/partner-content/meet-the-top-5-international-lawyers-you-want-on-your-side/amp/
Libertas Chambers
Celebrating South Asian Heritage Month
NOTE: This event has now been cancelled.
Libertas Chambers members celebrate South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) with a wide-ranging panel discussion on legal issues and careers to honour, recognize, and appreciate South Asian history and culture, as well as to comprehend the rich cultural legacy of countries within South Asia. This webinar presented by our members celebrates the accomplishments and legacy of individuals with origins in the South Asian countries.
Presented by our members with South Asian heritage who have expertise in corporate and criminal law on issues concerning South Asian business, countries and heritage in celebration of South Asian heritage month. We are proud to have several practitioners of South Asian origin, which make up 20% of our staff and a collective command of 8 different regional languages.
To ensure you don’t miss out on future events please register for our newsletter by clicking here.
Libertas Chambers
Webinar Video – Defence Statements and Openings: Rule 25.9 and being fair and concise
We recently held a webinar on Defence Statements and Openings: Rule 25.9 and being fair and concise. A practice is growing of asking Defence Counsel to open 1 or 2 sentences after the prosecution opening in serious cases which may not be in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Rules. Rule 25.9, taken together with the overriding objective allows for a fair and concise rehearsal of the issues raised in the defence statement or alternatively for the jury to be given the defence statement. This webinar discusses the delivery of defence openings / summary of issues, how defence statements can be framed to support a defence opening, and what is the bare minimum for opening defence issues which is fair.
Presented by Dr Felicity Gerry KC and Marie Spenwyn
Felicity and Marie have significant experience defending in the most serious of criminal matters including homicide, terrorism and war crimes. Both are co-authors of The Sexual Offences Handbook (3rd Ed forthcoming). They are well versed in taking procedural challenges and taking the best strategic approaches for clients.
To ensure you don’t miss out on future events please register for our newsletter by clicking here.
Libertas Chambers