*/
Criminal law – Immigration offences. The Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, dismissed appeals by the defendant foreign nationals, which had been referred to it by the Criminal Cases Review Commission on the basis that there had been clear injustice in that both defendants could have relied on the statutory defences of which they had been unaware and not appropriately advised. The court held that, on the evidence, it could not conclude that the relevant defence had not been considered by those then representing the defendants, and, even if the defence had been launched, it could not be concluded that it would have been successful in respect of one defendant, and it could not conclude that that would negate an unequivocal guilty plea by the other defendant.
Criminal law – Immigration offences. The Court of Appeal, Criminal Division, dismissed appeals by the defendant foreign nationals, which had been referred to it by the Criminal Cases Review Commission on the basis that there had been clear injustice in that both defendants could have relied on the statutory defences of which they had been unaware and not appropriately advised. The court held that, on the evidence, it could not conclude that the relevant defence had not been considered by those then representing the defendants, and, even if the defence had been launched, it could not be concluded that it would have been successful in respect of one defendant, and it could not conclude that that would negate an unequivocal guilty plea by the other defendant.
Chair of the Bar reports back
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, outlines the drug and alcohol testing options available for family law professionals, and how a new, free guide can help identify the most appropriate testing method for each specific case
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the latest ONS data on drug misuse and its implications for toxicology testing in family law cases
The odds of success are as unforgiving as ever, but ambition clearly isn’t in short supply. David Wurtzel’s annual deep‑dive into the competition cohort shows who’s entering, who’s thriving and the trends that will define the next wave
Where to start and where to find help? Monisha Shah, Chair of the King’s Counsel Selection Panel, provides an overview of the silk selection process, debunking some myths along the way
Do chatbot providers owe a duty of care for negligent misstatements? Jasper Wong suggests that the principles applicable to humans should apply equally to machines
With gender earnings inequality at the Bar getting worse, not better, Judith Ayling KC discusses concrete solutions and collective action – including steps taken by the Personal Injuries Bar Association
There is no typical day in the life as a Supreme Court judicial assistant, says Josephine Gillingwater, and that’s what makes the role so enjoyably diverse