Simon Csoka KC together with Richard Vardon (18 St John Street Chambers) secured the acquittal of Andrew Robson of both murder and manslaughter in a high profile murder case. The deceased was a former actor and primary school teacher. The defendant runs a very successful fencing business and was able to retain his lawyers privately. There were extensive witnesses and mobile phone footage of the incident, together with expert collision evidence. Simon was instructed by the hugely experienced and talented Tim Chapman of Yates Arden Limited. Media Links Daily Mail – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15152775/Van-driver-33-knocked-killed-teacher-got-fight-roundabout-acquitted-road-rage-murder.html BBC – https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62lr0gjpvgo

We are delighted to share that Dr Felicity Gerry KC has been registered with the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) as a Part II International Practitioner https://www.difccourts.ae/ . Felicity has worked in Qatar and on matters relating to Saudi Arabia, Mali, Kenya and Tanzania.  She recently spoke at a Symposium on international law in Kuwait. Felicity has three decades of experience as counsel appearing in complex financial matters. She started her career largely with a commercial/civil and family practice. Her work in recent years has returned to her commercial roots – with a particular interest in conflict of laws, intellectual property, ESG and modern slavery compliance, cyber/digital dispute resolution and cross border forced labour. In the last 5 years she led the legal memorandum on due diligence in investment listing on SGX which led to the $82 million divestment of the Golden City scheme and she led for the defence in a multi-defendant alleged conspiracy to evade commodity-based tax on large scale transnational organised operation where the prosecution offered no evidence after 7 weeks of trial. In 2017 she led for the defence in a high value multi defendant money laundering scheme. In 2012 she led for the prosecution in a high value global boiler room fraud with assets in several jurisdictions and she advised on oligarch asset restraint with an intersection with an international freezing injunction. In Australia she has acted as a mediator in commercial disputes and lectured in dispute resolution. Felicity is also admitted at the International Criminal Court (ICC) the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague and the Victorian Bar, Australia. She has also had admission in the Cook Islands, Hong Kong, and Gibraltar. Felicity is currently instructed in a trusts matter in the High Court of the Cook Islands relating to a title dispute. She also writes for Rolling Stone Middle East and North Africa (MENA). 

There has been significant reporting recently of the sentencing of Elias Morgan – convicted after trial of what the Crown alleged to be an execution for revenge of the prison officer Lenny Scott – to a minimum term of 45 years. The case also attracted press interest and attention from legal commentators following an injudicious comment made by the Shadow Chancellor on X, at the commencement of the trial which threatened its viability. At the Sentence hearing Mr Justice Goose passed comment on this. This complex case involved informants, PII, issues as to “data” concerning retrieval of phone evidence, cell-site, ANPR, CCTV, Gun Shot Residue as well voluminous disclosure made in time sensitive conditions. Legal arguments arose as to disclosure of defence statements – and ultimately a cut throat defence emerged in the closing days of the trial. A now unusual area of law fell to be considered – “The “Iniquity exception” addressing issues of communications and whether they were for the purpose of fraud with an accompanying Voir Dire. Caroline Goodwin KC, Frances Hertzog and Andrew Alty of Libertas Chambers were instructed and were provided with significant assistance by Adam Croft of Potter Derby.

Darren Snow, working with senior lawyer Zach Jones, of the Royal College of Nursing, have together secured removal of all restrictions on their nurse client JT. The nurse was initially acquitted in the Crown Court following a jury trial of allegations of sexual assault against patients. He was then cleared of the same charges by an NMC Fitness to Practice Panel following a further hearing before the nursing regulator. Despite being cleared in the Crown Court and before the NMC, the Disclosure & Baring Service refused to remove restrictions on the nurse’s record, thereby preventing a return to nursing and limiting other employment opportunities. The nurse had been unable to find work for well over 18 months following conclusion of the NMC case despite being cleared of all charges. Permission to appeal the DBS decision was obtained following a hearing earlier this year before the Upper Tribunal. With a full appeal hearing now listed in the autumn of 2025 the DBS have conceded the appeal and the nurse will have their name removed from the barred list. Our professional discipline team has growing experience in related DBS work and associated safeguarding appeals on behalf of its clients. For any further information or assistance please contact our clerks.

Marie Spenwyn led by Katy Thorne KC of Doughty Street Chambers was instructed and assisted by Lisa Towell and Lucinda Shand from Blackfords in this sensitive matter concerning the death of a two-month old baby. Mr Justice Bryan sitting at Croydon Crown Court handed down sentencing remarks which were published. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/couple-child-neglect-baby-cocaine-prosecco-party-b1238038.html https://www.judiciary.uk/judgments/rex-v-balzanelli-and-green/

Darren Snow, instructed by DaSilva Solicitors in East London, represented his client TM in a 2-week trial at Oxford Crown Court. His client, still only 19, faced rape allegations going back to when he was 15 alongside a co-defendant. The case was complex and sensitive with a very vulnerable complainant. There was also a large amount of unused prosecution material relating to a large-scale sexual grooming police investigation where several parties had already been convicted. Darren’s client gave evidence with an Intermediary due to underlying ADHD and communication problems. The Co Defendant was convicted and awaits sentence.

Darren Snow has been appointed as chair of the CIPFA disciplinary panel. CIPFA, the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy, is the professional body for public finance. It has 14,000 members working throughout public services, in national audit agencies, in major accountancy firms, and in other bodies where public money needs to be effectively and efficiently managed. The appointment builds on Darren’s wide experience not only chairing professional disciplinary hearings but also as an experienced legal adviser and defence advocate. Darren sat on the Bar’s disciplinary panel for 6 years. He has also sat as a chair on police disciplinary tribunals and with various sports regulators.

Acquittal Secured in Multi-Handed Grooming Trial at Bradford Crown Court by Dapinder Singh KC and Fatima Laher who worked alongside and assisted Dapinder Singh KC in the preparation and conduct of a complex and high-profile grooming trial at Bradford Crown Court. The trial formed part of a wider series of prosecutions, arising from a large-scale significant investigation into non-recent allegations. This particular trial involved seven defendants, all accused of serious offences said to have taken place many years ago. The prosecution relied on historical witness evidence, digital material, and expert testimony. The trial spanned over seven weeks, requiring careful management of sensitive material and extensive cross-examination. The jury returned unanimous not guilty verdicts on all counts in respect of their client — the only defendant in the case to be acquitted of all charges. This outcome represents a significant success in a sensitive case. Dapinder Singh KC and Fatima Laher were instructed by Atta Rehman, Harris Solicitors.