*/
One judge-led method of saving money and clearing the Crown Court lists has been rejected by the Court of Appeal.
In a judgment of 3 August, the Court of Appeal ([2010] EWCA Crim 1931) disapproved of events at Woolwich Crown Court on 12 and 13 July 2010. Having already told the prosecution, “This country is next to broke, we do not enjoy the luxury of being able to spend two days of a judge and jury’s time on this kind of thing” (the defendant had elected trial by jury), Judge Shorrock indicated during the prosecution case that he would withdraw one count from the jury “whatever happens”, doubting that “a Woolwich jury” would convict. It was indeed withdrawn despite the Crown’s formal indication that it would appeal his preliminary ruling.
On the same day as this trial, the Court of Appeal was coincidentally hearing argument in three conjoined appeals, where Judge Shorrock had quashed the indictment because he did not believe that the matters should have been brought before the Crown Court. Holding that the judge “had no power to proceed as he did”, Lord Justice Leveson ([2010] EWCA Crim 1857) quoted Lord Salmon in Connelly v DPP [1964] AC 1254 that a judge has no power “to refuse to allow a prosecution to proceed merely because he considers, that, as a matter of policy, it ought not to have been brought”.
The Court of Appeal rejected counsel’s argument that judges should not be obliged to “grin and bear it when finding their lists ‘clogged up’”. They were perfectly entitled appropriately to express their views and to encourage the prosecution to reconsider the public interest in prosecution while bearing in mind the fact that Parliament gave the final decision to the CPS (subject to judicial review), and that it is for Parliament to alter the law on what type of case is to be tried by juries.
All four matters have been sent back for trial at Woolwich, before a different judge.
In a judgment of 3 August, the Court of Appeal ([2010] EWCA Crim 1931) disapproved of events at Woolwich Crown Court on 12 and 13 July 2010. Having already told the prosecution, “This country is next to broke, we do not enjoy the luxury of being able to spend two days of a judge and jury’s time on this kind of thing” (the defendant had elected trial by jury), Judge Shorrock indicated during the prosecution case that he would withdraw one count from the jury “whatever happens”, doubting that “a Woolwich jury” would convict. It was indeed withdrawn despite the Crown’s formal indication that it would appeal his preliminary ruling.
On the same day as this trial, the Court of Appeal was coincidentally hearing argument in three conjoined appeals, where Judge Shorrock had quashed the indictment because he did not believe that the matters should have been brought before the Crown Court. Holding that the judge “had no power to proceed as he did”, Lord Justice Leveson ([2010] EWCA Crim 1857) quoted Lord Salmon in Connelly v DPP [1964] AC 1254 that a judge has no power “to refuse to allow a prosecution to proceed merely because he considers, that, as a matter of policy, it ought not to have been brought”.
The Court of Appeal rejected counsel’s argument that judges should not be obliged to “grin and bear it when finding their lists ‘clogged up’”. They were perfectly entitled appropriately to express their views and to encourage the prosecution to reconsider the public interest in prosecution while bearing in mind the fact that Parliament gave the final decision to the CPS (subject to judicial review), and that it is for Parliament to alter the law on what type of case is to be tried by juries.
All four matters have been sent back for trial at Woolwich, before a different judge.
One judge-led method of saving money and clearing the Crown Court lists has been rejected by the Court of Appeal.
The Chair of the Bar reports back
Susie Griffin on the admin that keeps barristers from billable work
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how global events can influence the performance of pensions and ISAs, and why taking a long-term approach to investing is often the most effective strategy
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, discusses what family law professionals need to know about hallucinogens, from the main hallucinogenic drugs encountered in family proceedings, to their effects and the testing options available
Harmony Christian Ministries is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
By David Green
At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
As the world becomes more digital, Barbara Vinagre Mota examines international research into the mental health consequences of judges’ exposure to graphic and immersive evidence, highlighting the importance of support systems
In an era of patient-centred care and growing concern over misconduct in medical settings, why do women still lack the right to choose women consultants for examination and treatment? Charles Davey investigates
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
