January at 33 Bedford Row
It has been a brilliant start to the year at 33 Bedford Row.
We would like to start by congratulating Christina Warner , who shortlisted for 'Woman of the Year' & 'Advocate of the Year' at the Women & Diversity in Law Awards 2024.
Christina is an experienced advocate in all aspects of private child and Family Law Act proceedings and her dedication to supporting families managing disability-related challenges has been highly-praised and commended by multiple legal bodies and associations. She is dedicated to providing the highest level of legal support and representation and is a trusted ally for families facing difficult and complex legal issues. Congratulations to Christina and all of those who have also been nominated.
Another great nomination for Lara Hicks , who has been recognised as the ’Top Volunteer’ for CLIPS 2023 Pro Bono Champion Award. Lara - 33 Bedford Row civil practitioner with a wealth of experience in dealing?with?property and maritime related disputes - has been noted by?The Chancery Bar Association?as the “Top Volunteer” for the CLIPS 2023 Pro Bono Champion Award, with a contribution of?10 volunteer days.
Lara was also amongst the top CLIPS volunteers in 2022, and regularly volunteers her time in the High Court. She has received special mention for her charitable work.
Aside from nominations, some notable work below:
Haydée Dijkstal - Head of International Law at 33 Bedford Row - instructed for complaint to Scotland Yard War Crimes Unit.
On 12 January 2023, a complaint was submitted to Scotland Yard’s War Crimes Unit (SO15) by London based organisation, International Centre of Justice for Palestinians (ICJP), after the organisation’s investigation unit collected and analysed evidence of crimes committed during the ongoing conflict in Gaza.? The complaint raised evidence of war crimes under UK legislation which are within the jurisdiction of the UK under the principle of universal jurisdiction, and raised evidence of responsibility and accessory liability by both Israeli and British nationals for further investigation by the police.? A press conference was held on 16 January.?
Haydee Dijkstal is instructed as counsel by ICJP and was instructed in regards to the complaint to Scotland Yard.?
In a recent without notice application made in the county court at Peterborough, Dr. Francis Graydon secured an interim injunction with a police power of arrest attached against a tenant of a social housing provider. Full details can be read here.
Olivia Beach was instructed as part of the counsel team to the Andrew Malkinson Inquiry as junior counsel.
In August 2023, the Government ordered an independent inquiry into the circumstances and handling of Andrew Malkinson’s case after his conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in July 2023, having spent 17 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
The Inquiry is chaired by Her Honour Judge Sarah Munro KC and is investigating the handling and the role of Greater Manchester Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Criminal Cases Review Commission in his conviction and subsequent appeals to ensure lessons are learned from the significant miscarriage of justice he has suffered.
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Robert Fitt successfully represented former Premier League footballer Lucas Neill, who was acquitted of two offences at Preston Crown Court.
Mr Neill, the former captain of the Australian national team, the Socceroos, and former captain of West Ham, had been charged with offences under sections 353 and 356 of the Insolvency Act 1986. The prosecution alleged that he had sought to defraud his creditors by hiding assets worth ￡2.175 million from the Insolvency Service and his trustees in bankruptcy. The funds were owned by a company that was held in a trust in Gurnsey for Mr Neill’s sole benefit.
Mr Neill relied on the statutory defence in section 352 of the 1986 Act, which required the Defence to prove on the balance of probabilities that he had no intention of defrauding his creditors or misrepresenting the state of his affairs when he failed to disclose the assets.
The jury unanimously acquitted Mr Neill on both counts after a deliberation period of only about thirty minutes.
Robert was instructed by Joseph Kotrie Monson of Mary Monson Solicitors.
Those with a subscription can read about the case in the Sunday Times here: Football gave me a Ferrari – now I can’t afford a phone (thetimes.co.uk)
Paul Williams' client was recently found Not Guilty of assault charges with all 12 members of the jury agreeing his innocence.?
See below the excellent review?left by the client via?Mary Monson Solicitors.??
"Mr Williams presented my case beautifully and really connected with jury who all admired him for his work of communication as well as his abilities to see and say things the way they are. He also ripped the lying police officer to shreds as well as other witnesses making them admit I wasn’t the aggressor. Jamie [Dickson] was also present at trial and helped my defence by playing the footage at crucial times to pinpoint certain moments of the incident and help guide the judge and jury. On the last day before the verdict, Millie from the Manchester office joined us to provide Mr Williams with assistance. I was eventually found NOT GUILTY on both charges with all 12 members of the jury unanimously agreeing that I was innocent after only 37 minutes of conferring, something which doesn’t happen often?[...]?I will forever be grateful."
Articles written by members of chambers this month
'Personal Injury - Special Damages - Gratuitous Care Claim - How money held upon receipt?' by Simon Hill
'Undermined, ignored and shamed: the invisible victims of domestic abuse and the role of the family justice system' by Christina Warner
Upcoming Events
33 Bedford Row Deputy Head of Civil Philip Williams and Teri Howell present 'Civil Litigation: The Basics' Avoiding the Trips and Traps. This will take place at 33 Bedford Row in London on 15th February. More details to follow.
Jamil Mohammed and Christina Warner will host the second instalment of their monthly online?Private Law Junior's Breakfast Club?series on 19th February. This will be a remote seminar between 8.30am and 9.30am. Do contact?[email protected]?for the login details.
The first breakfast club session focused on?looking at how to approach Fact-Finding Hearings when allegation of Domestic Abuse are made?within Children Act proceedings. As well as considering how to prepare for and respond to a Section 7 report. Watch the seminar in full here.?
Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
Thrilled to see the activities and energy at #33BedfordRow! ?? Remember what Helen Keller once said, "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Let's keep fostering community and collaboration. ????
Co-Chair - The Society of Mediators - Pakistan Chapter - IDI | Accredited Mediator - MSoM | Partner - Pasha’s Associates & Consultants - AAQLLP | Founding President - HELP TO SMILE | Member - Queen’s Commonwealth Trust
1 年Congratulations