RT @felicitygerry Hers our ⁦@LibertasChambe3⁩ article on Criminal Justice Responses To Maternal Filicide and why the CPS should change its policy ⁦⁦@DrEmmaMilne⁩ libertaschambers.com/media-hu…

About 6 days ago from LibertasChambers's Twitter via Twitter Web App

A fantastic result by @sgreyqc instructed by @co_lartey You can read more about the case on our website: libertaschambers.com/media-hu… pic.twitter.com/Do9EJGwrBH

About 6 days ago from LibertasChambers's Twitter via Twitter Web App

A reminder of tomorrow's event which promises to be an interesting one! Link to sign up below. #maternalsentencing #law twitter.com/LibertasChambe…

Last week from LibertasChambers's Twitter via Twitter Web App

NEWS UPDATE: @sarahday436 's client acquitted of importation of cocaine. Sarah was instructed by M&M Solicitors More on the case here: standard.co.uk/news/crime/dom… pic.twitter.com/cZMqw8Z2PE

About 2 weeks ago from LibertasChambers's Twitter via Twitter Web App

NEWS UPDATE: Another successful application to dismiss by Gerard Hillman, instructed by @RobertLizarLaw pic.twitter.com/XlnnQIpbH8

About 2 weeks ago from LibertasChambers's Twitter via Twitter Web App

NEWS UPDATE: a great result for Andrew Turton's client. Andrew was instructed by Steven Bird of @birdssolicitors pic.twitter.com/ws5fxfnSaD

About 2 weeks ago from LibertasChambers's Twitter via Twitter Web App

A reminder that sign up is open for our next webinar with @felicitygerry and Dr Shona Minson. Link to register below twitter.com/LibertasChambe…

About 3 weeks ago from LibertasChambers's Twitter via Twitter for iPhone

RT @DrEmmaMilne Delighted to give a @LibertasChambe3 webimar with @felicitygerry. I discussed key findings from my book & Felicity gave practical tips to barristers & solicitors who might defend women accused of crimes related to infant death emmamilne.com/blog/ @DurhamLawSchool @DurhamGLAD

About 3 weeks ago from LibertasChambers's Twitter via Twitter for iPhone

RT @TransformJust1 @MelStooks @Rebeccakhelm [🧵11/11] A big thanks to all those who attended tonight. A particular thanks to our panelists @Rebeccakhelm @MelStooks, Marie Spenwyn @PenelopeGibbs2, and to @LibertasChambe3 for hosting what was an illuminating & instructive panel on an issue that is only getting more urgent

Last month from LibertasChambers's Twitter via Twitter for iPhone

RT @TransformJust1 [🧵9/?] @MelStooks describes the new legislative changes regarding online court as an "absolutely appalling idea" with no safeguards to ensure children are understanding what they are agreeing to.

Last month from LibertasChambers's Twitter via Twitter Web App

Latest News

Murder conviction quashed for Patrtk Pachecka 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’ imprisonment while the killer escaped responsibility. Their convictions were overturned in January 2021. The way in which the evidence was presented at Trial 1 in 2017 was significantly different to 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.

Libertas Chambers

Caution order secured in 58-day NMC midwifery misconduct case 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.

Libertas Chambers

Gerard Hillman Successful In Another Application To Dismiss 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.

Libertas Chambers

Latest Insights

Why the CPS should revise its guidance on women suspected of causing the death of their infants This article sets out some of the matters we discussed in our Libertas Lecture on Thursday 28 October 2021 and develops them in the light of a recent decision in Australia. On 10 November 2021 the Supreme Court in Victoria, Australia sentenced a woman to a non-conviction outcome for endangering the life of her 2-year-old child by placing his face in the bathwater for approximately 5 seconds. She was originally charged with attempted murder, a plea to a lesser offence was accepted and a community corrections order was imposed, albeit after she had served many months in custody. The court accepted that the conduct was in the context of a mental health crisis where the mother had self-reported and sought help. This was held to reduce her culpability, and the sentencing judge exercised her discretionary power not to record a criminal conviction. Download Article now To stay up to date with insight articles, webinars and chamber news why not subscribe to Libertas Lens (our periodic newsletter) – Click here to register

Libertas Chambers

Chambers Article – The new Antique Firearms Regime The law governing the possession of firearms is strict and comprehensive. However, not all forms of possession are prohibited. Many people – ranging from police officers to farmers – may have a legitimate reason to possess a firearm. This article goes further into the discussion around collector’s items and more. Click below to read in full. Download Article now To stay up to date with insight articles, webinars and chamber news why not subscribe to Libertas Lens (our periodic newsletter) – Click here to register