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January 2012

IN THE NEWS... SOHAM DOCUMENTARY FILMED IN CHAMBERS

Karim Khalil QC was interviewed today as part of a documentary due to be screened in August this year, commemorating the ten year anniversary of the Soham Murders. The documentary is to be an hour long and will concentrate on the facts of the case and the lessons that have been learnt in terms of Police investigations and legislation. Karim was leading prosecuting counsel at the trial and was commended by the Police for his handling of the case. He was also invited to speak to the British Academy of Forensic Scientists and delivered a speech on “The Science of the Soham Murders” (see article here).

Karim was approached along with the children's families, the pathologist, Sir Michael Bichard and politicians involved with legislative changes. He was asked to comment on the challenges he faced when dealing with the forensic evidence as well as how he dealt with the huge media and public interest.

Happy New Year from all the Barristers and Staff at One Paper Buildings

December 2011

IN THE NEWS... COURT OF APPEAL VICTORY FOR UNYIME DAVIES

Unyime Davies successfully represented a client in the Court of Appeal recently. The defendant was convicted of a dwelling burglary in Bond Road, Southampton in April. The sentence was given by HHJ Hope at Southampton Crown Court in August 2011. The defendant was sentenced to a two year custodial sentence for burglary after a guilty plea at the earliest opportunity. The grounds for appeal were that in all the circumstances the sentence was manifestly excessive. After a short hearing the appeal was allowed and the sentence reduced to 16 months custody.

IN THE NEWS... CAYMAN ISLANDS MURDER APPEAL SUCCESS

Alastair Malcolm QC acted on behalf of Osborne Douglas, one of three men charged with the 2009 murder of Omar Samuals. This was an unusual murder case and highly publicised on the Island. The key for the prosecution in the original trial were statements and testimony from two eye witnesses. Whilst Mr Malcolm QC and the rest of the defence team probed the testimonies because of inconsistencies, one witness placed all three defendants at the scene and another placed two of the three at the scene. At the end of the original 14 day trial all were found guilty, largely due to the eye witness evidence.

The case then went to appeal and was heard recently (29 November) where the judges overturned the convictions, citing their reasons in a written judgement to follow. See press and TV reports below:

1. Cayman27
2. Cayman27

November 2011

IN THE NEWS... WILL CARTER IN £1.3 million FRAUD

Will Carter appeared at Birmingham Crown Court recently on a high value fraud. What set this fraud apart was not the value of the offence, but the fact that it was committed by employees of the bank. Bank manager Karl Dean Edwards, 43, and personal banker Andrew Waters, 26, were each sentenced to five years imprisonment at Birmingham Crown Court. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud at earlier hearings following an investigation by West Midlands Police. Edwards was manager at the Hagley Road branch of Barclays in Birmingham, where the victims banked. Waters worked at the firm's Croydon branch. Joseph Murphy, 36, and Nathan Denton, 37, who were part of the organised crime team, were sentenced alongside the bankers. See below for press links to the case:

1. BBC
2. Metro
3. Daily Mirror
4. Birmingham Mail

IN THE NEWS... ONE PAPER BARRISTERS IN ‘CRUNK JUICE’ TRIAL

Simon Privett and Robert Bryan recently appeared for the prosecution in a trial involving 5 teenage boys at Winchester Crown Court. The reason for their act? A new alcoholic energy drink aimed at the youth market named ‘Crunk juice’. This is a new type of alcopop which consists of Hennessy brandy and energy drink Red Bull. Drinking a can of it is equivalent to drinking a bottle of wine. The teenage friends decided to rob a local corner shop of crunk juice, cigarettes and cash at gun point. Whilst the unsuspecting shop keeper was not to know that the firearm was an old air pistol the facial coverings worn by 3 of the gang members were real enough. The boys fled the scene, but their names were soon being circulated as being involved by school friends after images from the shop's CCTV was shown in the Southampton Echo. After pleading guilty they were all sentenced to 18 months with the judge stating “I have heard your mitigation that any term of custody would be catastrophic for you,’ he said. ‘But the effect of what you did to Mr Singh is already catastrophic.” See below for press report.

1. Daily Mail

IN THE NEWS... KARIM KHALIL QC & ANDREW SHAW SUCCESSFULLY DEFEND IN HIGH PROFILE MURDER CASE

Karim Khalil QC and Andrew Shaw recently defended the only male to be acquitted in a highly publicized murder trial in Ipswich. The odds were stacked against Christopher Day to receive such an outcome after the court heard that there was evidence that he had the motive to carry out the killing, tidied up the items used in the killing and disposed of the blood-soaked bedding. The trial lasted for 6 weeks, further to the discovery on Christmas day 2010 of Martin Edwards’ body at his Ipswich flat. Martin had been severely beaten and left either dead or dying , and died from multiple injuries. Two men were convicted of the brutal killing and have been remanded in custody pending a sentencing hearing. Click on links below for press reports:

1. BBC
2. BBC

IN THE NEWS... “CRASH FOR CASH”

Three barristers from One Paper Buildings were instructed to represent defendants in one of the largest ‘cash for crash’ frauds that has been seen in East Anglia. Will Carter, Gregory Perrins and Claire Matthews acted for defendants in an eleven-handed fraud trial. The main defendant ran two claim management companies in the city - Millfield Accident Claims Specialists and Premier Claim Specialists - and was the main player in the cast of a fraud involving 11 defendants which had the potential to defraud insurance companies out of more than £439,000. The claims included accidents that had never happened, exaggerated injury claims and incidents where vehicles were taken to remote locations and crashed.

See below for press reports:

1. Peterborough Today
2. Peterborough Today

IN THE NEWS... CHAMBERS UK DIRECTORY AWARD ONE PAPER BUILDINGS ‘LEADING SET’ STATUS

Chambers directory, the foremost legal directory, has awarded One Paper Buildings ‘leading set’ status, their highest award. It places the barristers from 1PB in the top banding for Crime on South Eastern and Western Circuits. Eleven of our barristers are recommended individuals in their practice area, and on the South Eastern Circuit describes us as “a one-office set whose influence extends considerably beyond its London base. It has a substantial profile across the South Eastern circuit including in East Anglia and Ipswich.” The directory lauds the “extremely efficient and accommodating” clerking as well as the ” considerable strength and depth” of Chambers as a whole.

On the Western Circuit, they say “This chambers operates from a single location in central London and has established itself as a credible alternative to local sets on the Western circuit, particularly in Hampshire and Wiltshire. "The standard of professionalism shown by both counsel and the clerks is second to none," say sources. Strengths include trafficking, murder and sex offences work.” We are consistently strong in market feedback as well as directory rankings, steadily climbing from two rated individuals in 2009 to the eleven we have today. This directory is the journal of choice for General Counsel, Solicitor clients and direct or public access clients also so it is some accolade, and one of which we are justifiably proud. Click here to see each what the directory says about the barristers it has singled out for recognition.

IN THE NEWS... LEGAL500 2011 PLAUDITS FOR ONE PAPER BUILDINGS

Last month saw the 2011 Legal500 directory finally published and One Paper Buildings secured recommendations for Crime in both South Eastern and Western circuit sections of the directory. In the South Eastern Circuit section they state “At 1 Paper Buildings, Karim Khalil QC is recognised as a ‘dominant’ practitioner on circuit and has a leading heavyweight practice. John Farmer and Stephen Spence, who has a niche aviation practice, are very highly rated.” And the Western Circuit team is summarised with the directory saying that “1 Paper Buildings is highly visible on this circuit, particularly in Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester. They go on to say that “1 Paper Buildings’ Michael Hubbard QC handles ‘heavy-duty crime’ matters, and Matthew Jewell and Louisa Bagley provide ‘exceptional service’.”

We’re all very proud to gain this type of recognition, as it’s from extensive impartial and independent research by a respected directory into both our clientbase and peers views of our service and the legal skills of our members. The Legal500 is used worldwide and is a reference tool for people to find impartial recommendations about law firms and barristers, and a recommendation is viewed as somewhat of a stamp of approval – testament to all the hard work over the last year by our exceptional barristers. See this link for what the directory says.

October 2011

IN THE NEWS... CHARLOTTE COMPTON JOINS CHAMBERS

Chambers is pleased to announce that Charlotte Compton has accepted an invitation to join Chambers following successful completion of her pupillage. Charlotte is already in demand and is excited to be starting her career as a tenant at 1 Paper Buildings.

IN THE NEWS... PROMOTIONS ON THE SOUTH EASTERN CIRCUIT COMMITTEE

IN THE NEWS... LOUISE HOWARD PROSECUTES ‘MALARIA NURSE’

Louise Howard has successfully prosecuted a 36 year old male nurse who was subject of a nationwide appeal after disappearing during his participation on malaria medical trials. Matthew Lloyd, 36, had fled the country whilst in the middle of participating in medical trials on Malaria drugs, after being arrested for sexual assault in August 2010. His family made an appeal for his return on national television when he fled in October 2010, and at the time the medical staff conducting the trials thought he had contracted a fatal strain of Malaria. He was found in Holland and hadn’t contracted the disease. Southampton Crown Court were informed by Miss Howard that Matthew Lloyd has approached the woman in Southampton city centre and grabbed her bottom, then started pulling at her clothes and body. After initially fighting him off he attacked again. CCTV footage had shown Lloyd to be in the area although Lloyd denied the attack when arrested. He was found guilty and sentencing adjourned for psychiatric reports. See below for links to press reports:

1. BBC
2. Daily Mail

August 2011

IN THE NEWS... QUINTON NEWCOMB LEADS THE BAR CRICKET TEAM TO LAWYERS WORLD CUP

All at One Paper Buildings are proud to wish Quinton Newcomb the very best of luck as he departs for the West Indies. Away from the courtroom Quinton Newcomb is an avid cricketer and is about to depart for Barbados to lead the Bar of England and Wales Cricket Club ("BEWCC") side as they challenge for the Lawyers Cricket World Cup. Sides from Australia, India, Pakistan, India and the West Indies stand between them and the title of World Champions. Follow their progress on Twitter ("BEWCC") and at www.lawyersontour.blogspot.com.

IN THE NEWS... BBC DOCUMENTARY HIGHLIGHTS MORE ABUSE

A case in which Greg Perrins and Nicola Talbot were instructed last year has been re-visited by the BBC in a documentary by Roger Cook. The case concerned ex-head teacher Derek Slade and the historic abuse of children at private boarding schools in the eighties. Click here for the BBC website report, click here for our previous news item and reports. The programme investigated claims that he abused children at Schools in Swaziland and India, having concocted a false identity to gain employment without his past being discovered. It was alleged that he did so with help from a colleague, click here for the full programme via BBC iPlayer.

July 2011

IN THE NEWS... BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT

Nicola Devas was one of a small group of barristers invited to meet HRH The Princess Royal on 28th June. Her Royal Highness holds the position of Royal Treasurer and attended a garden party to meet member of the Inn. All those invited were members of Inner Temple who had made significant contributions to the work of the Inn. Nicola Devas is amongst those who interview student applicants for scholarships.

IN THE NEWS... ROBERT BRYAN SEEKS TARIFF REDUCTION ON BEHALF OF CONVICTED MURDERER

Judgment was handed down on the 6th July 2011 in a case that Robert Bryan has been fighting since 2008. Duncan Jackson was convicted in 2000 of the murder of Avril Dunn in September 1985. Although investigated at the time, it was the advancement of DNA analysis that lead to Mr Jackson's conviction. In 2000 the Trial Judge and Lord Chief Justice recommended to the Home Secretary that Mr Jackson should serve a minimum of 15 years before being eligible for Parole. That term of 15 years was endorsed by the then Home Secretary. Under the Criminal Justice Act 2003 Mr Jackson was entitled to refer his case back to the High Court for reconsideration of that minimum term, as the final decision of that minimum term had been political rather than judicial one. Robert Bryan fought Mr Jackson's case on the basis that between 1985, when the murder was committed, and 2000, when convicted and sentenced, the guidance issued by the various Lord Chief Justices' had increased the minimum terms in such a case from 12 to 14 years. The case involved interesting arguments on the interpretation of Article 7 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Criminal Justice Act 2003. Mr Justice Nichol in finding against Mr Jackson said that his Article 7 rights, "would not be violated in this case simply because I fixed a longer minimum term than would have been likely if [he] had been convicted and sentenced shortly after the offence was committed. His rights under that provision would only be infringed if I fixed a term which was longer than the tariff which could have been set in 1985." For further information on this interesting case please contact Robert Bryan or Brett Carver.

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June 2011

IN THE NEWS... BRIBERY ACT

The Bribery Act 2011 comes into force today, Friday the 1st July 2011. The Bribery Act brings into force a whole new legal regime aimed at corruption and bribery. It is imperative that all companies, especially sales professionals, are aware of the legislation, and the consequences of falling foul of the new Act. The Barristers at One Paper are ideally placed to provide advice on the procedures needed to comply with the new legislation (as Members have been providing commentary on this new Act via our well-regarded newsletter). We can outline the practical measures needed in terms of risk assessment so that you might be able to implement the “adequate procedure” defence. Click here to contact Brett Carver for more information.

IN THE NEWS...

Karim Khalil QC recently led Christopher Morgan at Norwich Crown Court in a highly publicised murder trial. The case concerned a publican who murdered his partner by shooting her in the back of the head whilst she was taking a bath. He then hid her body in a freezer in one of the pub outbuildings and carried on business as usual before fleeing to the Isle of Wight. He later confessed to Police and told them where to find the body. The case highlighted difficulties in dealing with alcoholic defendants and those with previous mental illness. See below for links to some news reports:

1. BBC
2. Daily Mail
3. Evening News

IN THE NEWS... UNYIME DAVIES JOINS CHAMBERS

We are delighted to announce that Unyime Davies has accepted an invitation to join Chambers and will be joining us on 4th July 2011. Unyime, a 2006 call, joins us from a renowned London set with a strong Western Circuit reputation and will bolster our Western Circuit and Prison Law teams. Unyime is a Criminal practitioner with an interest in Prison Law and a growing practice in prison litigation, having regularly appeared before Parole Boards and in adjudication hearings. Her criminal practice encompasses both prosecution and defence work on matters ranging from serious sexual offences, violence and dishonesty cases to theft and matters involving child and vulnerable witnesses. Unyime arrives as part of Chambers ongoing policy of targeted recruitment in both our core and new practice areas.

IN THE NEWS... ONE PAPER BARRISTER IN EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

One Paper tenant Nicola Talbot recently started work at the European Court of Human Rights on a three month scholarship. This prestigious scholarship is providing Nicola with invaluable experience in Human Rights matters. Nicola has an interest in human rights law and is a member of Liberty, volunteering regularly on the Liberty Advice Line, providing legal advice over the telephone to individuals with complaints regarding alleged violations of the European Convention. Having won a Pegasus scholarship from the Inner Temple, she is spending 3 months from May-July 2011 working at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Click here to access her blog.

IN THE NEWS... NICOLA DEVAS SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTES RAPIST

Nicola Devas successfully prosecuted a male who raped his young step daughter over a period of 3 years. The male was convicted after trial of 5 specimen counts of Rape ranging from when the girl was aged 10 up to the age of 13. The case involved complex issues of disclosure and highlighted the problems and difficulties associated with young victims giving evidence. The male was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment.

May 2011

IN THE NEWS... EDWARD RENVOIZE JOINS CHAMBERS

Chambers are delighted to announce that Edward Renvoize has accepted an invitation to join Chambers. Edward, a 2004 call, joins us from renowned Leeds set No 6. Chambers, where he built an impressive Criminal practice. In addition, Edward has built upon his interest in Mental Health Law, now appearing regularly in the Court of Protection. He developed an interest in the area after gaining a reputation for dealing with clients in Criminal matters who had mental health issues and where fitness to plead was in question. He has experience of dealing with matters involving the Mental Capacity Act 2005, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards and also applications under the Mental Health Act 2007. His Criminal caseload covers defence and prosecution, including a variety of cases including drugs matters, sexual offences and offences of violence and dishonesty. Latterly Edward has been in demand for large scale drug dealing cases and complex fraud matters, both areas he is keen to develop. Click here to see his profile.

IN THE NEWS... ONE PAPER BLOG

Chambers are proud to launch our new blog. This is the brainchild of one of our members, Robert Bryan, who has taken a lead role in setting up and administering the blog. It seeks to cover legal issues, news, technology (in relation to lawyers) and provide a bit of an insight into the daily lives of busy barristers. Click on the button on the home page of this website to be redirected or simply go to www.onepaperblog.com

April 2011

IN THE NEWS... JOINT HEADSHIP ANNOUNCED

Karim Khalil QC joins Michael Hubbard QC as a Joint Head of Chambers.

This strengthening of the management of Chambers will provide strong leadership at a time of unprecedented change at the Bar and ensure the special place of One Paper Buildings in the legal landscape: there are few sets as geographically diverse as One Paper Buildings, operating on the South Eastern and Western Circuits, regularly working in Courts as distant as Truro to Norwich.

The number of practitioners and level of work undertaken on both Circuits has grown substantially in the last seven years and is set to expand further. Karim Khalil QC is delighted to accept the invitation to join Michael Hubbard QC as the first joint Head of Chambers in our fifty-seven year history.

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March 2011

IN THE NEWS... UPDATE: CLAIRE MATTHEWS SECURES EXTENDED SENTENCE

Claire Matthews appeared at Cambridge Crown Court recently and represented the Crown again at the sentencing hearing of Diane Pullar (click here to see news item from February). The Judge, HHJ Bate, passed an extended sentence of 6 years imprisonment with an extension to her license of 4 years.

1. Daily Mail
2. Express

IN THE NEWS... KIDNAPPING CASE

Gregory Perrins and Barnaby Shaw recently appeared in a multi-handed kidnapping case, which is still in progress. The case concerns a South London gang, at least a dozen of which were alleged to have kidnapped a man in his twenties who suffered from learning difficulties, from a street in front of his young children. At gunpoint they hooded him, kidnapped him, and kept him bound for 26 hours, beating and burning him also. The kidnappers were allegedly asking for a ransom of £30,000. When issuing these demands they tortured him on the phone so his family could hear him scream.

Much of the evidence concerned mobile phone cell site analysis and voice recognition evidence. Gregory Perrins and Barnaby Shaw disputed their clients presence and involvement in the case and were successful, having argued that the prosecution could not raise a case to answer and that the cell site evidence and voice recognition evidence was inconclusive with regards their clients.

IN THE NEWS... REBECCA FAIRBAIRN JOINS CHAMBERS

Chambers are delighted to announce that Rebecca Fairbairn has accepted an invitation to join Chambers. Rebecca, a 2000 call, joins us from a London set where she had a dual Family and Criminal practice, operating on both South Eastern and Western Circuits. Rebecca’s practice compliments and strengthens our family law team whilst bolstering our Western Circuit criminal team and arrives as part of Chambers ongoing policy of targeted recruitment in both our core practice area and new practice areas.

February 2011

IN THE NEWS... SCHOOL ASSISTANT GUILTY OF GROOMING 12 YEAR OLD BOY

Claire Matthews successfully prosecuted a 31 year old female who was involved in a full blown sexual relationship with a twelve year old boy who was a family friend. The boy was groomed after his elder brother became friends with the defendants son. Diane Puller, from Chatteris, Cambs, had denied  six counts of sexual activity even telling the victim’s Mother that the victim simply ‘had a crush on her’. The relationship was exposed after two separate instances when another child walked in on them, the second child admitting what he saw some time after the incident. The jury found her guilty on all counts and she will be sentenced at a later date. See below for press reports:

1. Daily Mail
2. Express
3. The Sun
4. Mirror
5. Cambridge News
6. Cambridge News

IN THE NEWS... KARIM KHALIL QC DEFENDS MAN ACCUSED OF MURDERING HIS PARTNER

Karim Khalil QC recently appeared in Northampton Crown Court and successfully defended Steven Jewell who was accused of murdering his girlfriend by strangling. Stephen Jewell, 42, had strangled Nicola DeSousa at their home, he told Police. He admitted throttling her after a drunken argument and then sleeping in the same room as her for the next two days prior to calling the police to report the crime. The jury accepted that Jewell was only guilty of involuntary manslaughter, due to lack of intent arising from alcohol dependency syndrome. See below for reports:

1. BBC
2. Northampton Chronicle
3. BBC

IN THE NEWS... LITHUANIAN MAN STAMPS VICTIM TO DEATH

Karim Khalil QC (leading Claire Matthews) recently represented a Lithuanian national who was alleged to have killed his fellow Lithuanian neighbour by stamping on her chest. Her body was later put between the mattresses in her room to avoid detection. The case involved difficult pathology and blood distribution evidence. See below for reports:

1. BBC
2. Cambridge Times
3. BBC

January 2011

IN THE NEWS... LOUISA BAGLEY PROSECUTES ‘RACE SLUR’ MOTORIST

Louisa Bagley successfully prosecuted a motorist and his wife who charged with 3 counts of perverting the course of justice. The defendant, Ben Hlal, had been convicted of making false allegations. Firstly in September 2008 against a Doctor at Royal Hants Hospital in Winchester - he claimed the Doctor had racially abused him in the car park, this was completely false and came about because the doctor challenged him about being parked in a disabled bay.  The doctor was arrested and interviewed. The second charge was from an incident in November 2009 against a traffic warden in Fareham - he claimed the traffic warden had assaulted him and later claimed the assault and issuing of a parking ticket was racist - this was completely false and came about because the traffic warden challenged him about parking on double yellow lines and later issued him with a ticket.  The traffic warden was suspended, arrested and interviewed. His wife, Diane Bateman, gave a false statement repeating the false account against the traffic warden and claimed to be a witness. Hlal was found guilty of both charges sentenced to 12 months imprisonment. His now estranged wife, Diane Bateman, was given a six-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, 100 hours community service and ordered to pay £500 costs. Click below for report by BBC News.

1. BBC
2. Daily Echo

ANNOUNCEMENT... Peter Ellis

Chambers are also saddened to announce the passing of Peter Ellis on 20th December 2010. Peter was Senior Clerk to Chambers from its inception in 1954 until his retirement in 1988, and was a clerk of some renown. He had an exceptional reputation, and was instrumental in the development of One Paper Buildings into the highly regarded set it is today. Peter worked with four Heads of Chambers during his career, culminating with Roger Titheridge QC, and was a driving force behind their successful careers.  Ever ready, armed with a quip and papers for a hearing the next day, Peter is remembered fondly by all he came into contact with during his long and successful career. He is survived by his wife Tup, and was a beloved Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.

IN THE NEWS... LOUISE HOWARD JOINS CHAMBERS

Chambers are delighted to welcome Louise Howard, who joins us from Devon Chambers. Louise is an experienced practitioner who will strengthen our Western Circuit team and joins as part of Chambers ongoing programme of strategic recruitment. Click here to find out more about her practice.

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