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Criminal law – Conspiracy. The Court of Appeal, Civil Division, considered an application by the Attorney General in respect of H, who had been convicted of three counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of retaining a wrongful credit, and S, who had been convicted of two counts of conspiracy to defraud, and held their sentences had been unduly lenient given the extent and circumstances of the offending in what had been a profound misuse of the professional training of both men. Both men were legal professionals and had fraudulently obtained mortgages. H's sentence was varied to a concurrent term of six years and three months' imprisonment in respect of counts 1, 2 and 2 and a concurrent term of nine months' imprisonment in respect of count 4. S's sentences were ordered to run consecutively, with an overall term of three years' imprisonment.
Criminal law – Conspiracy. The Court of Appeal, Civil Division, considered an application by the Attorney General in respect of H, who had been convicted of three counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of retaining a wrongful credit, and S, who had been convicted of two counts of conspiracy to defraud, and held their sentences had been unduly lenient given the extent and circumstances of the offending in what had been a profound misuse of the professional training of both men. Both men were legal professionals and had fraudulently obtained mortgages. H's sentence was varied to a concurrent term of six years and three months' imprisonment in respect of counts 1, 2 and 2 and a concurrent term of nine months' imprisonment in respect of count 4. S's sentences were ordered to run consecutively, with an overall term of three years' imprisonment.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
James McNeill Whistler at Tate Britain until 27 September Rothko in Florence at Palazzo Strozzi until 23 August Reviewed by Stephen Cragg KC
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts