25 Bedford Row

Atalanta Sanders, instructed by Jenny Winter at Birds Solicitors, acted for one of four defendants charged with Aggravated Trespass. The defendants were alleged to have intended to intimidate, obstruct, or disrupt the activities of a Poultry Abattoir as part of an animal rights activists protest last year. Her client was found Not Guilty after a three day trial.

25’s Michael Gomulka has written an opinion piece on the state of the Criminal Justice System. It is titled, simply, “Despair”. Read it here: https://shorturl.at/EdMBe

25’s Sam Blom-Cooper and Adithi Shenava discuss the legislative scheme brought in by the National Security Act 2023 which, in large measure, replaces the provisions of the Official Secrets Act 1911 for dealing with offences affecting the security of the UK state: https://shorturl.at/C3oP5

Anne-Marie Geraghty secures acquittal in complex sexual assault case   Anne-Marie Geraghty has secured the acquittal for her client in a complex rape and assault Case which was heard at Woolwich Crown Court.   The client had been charged with four counts of rape and additional assault charges, presenting a complex and challenging case that required a robust and meticulous defence strategy.   Instructed counsel was Kate Chidgey from 25 Bedford Row.   Anne-Marie Geraghty specialises in handling a wide range of serious criminal cases, including murder, drug importation, armed robbery, firearms offences, sexual offences, fraud, and money laundering. She has exceptional expertise in supporting young and vulnerable clients, as well as defendants with mental health challenges. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eDmfq7kz   Blackfords LLP is one of the UK's leading criminal defence law firms. Our team of expert solicitors provide comprehensive assistance throughout investigations, prosecutions and court appearances handling a wide range of criminal allegations, including all charges related to sexual offences, serious crime and violence. To discuss your case or seek legal advice, you can contact Blackfords LLP on 03330 150150 or find more detailed information here: https://lnkd.in/eJVwcfgu #CriminalDefence #SeriousCrime

Zakeeya Fatima successfully secured the acquittal of a client who was facing non-fatal strangulation charges. Clementine Simon of 25 Bedford Row was instructed to represent the client. Under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, the client was at serious risk of receiving a custodial sentence of around three years. The client had severe learning difficulties and a custodial sentence would have been extremely detrimental to both their mental health and rehabilitation. With rigorous preparation and robust advocacy, Zakeeya and Clementine Simon successfully represented the client and secured an acquittal. This result allows the client to move forward without the damaging consequences of a conviction. #CriminalDefence #LegalWins #DomesticAbuseSolicitors

25’s Dermot Keating KC and Chantel Gaber consider the impact of inflation in long-running confiscation hearings in their article, "Delay and Consumer Price Index (CPI) increases in confiscation cases". Read it here: https://shorturl.at/JSv4n

25’s Atalanta Sanders breaks down the details of the Domestic Abuse Protection Order Pilot Scheme in a straightforward and comprehensive explainer that practitioners will want to bookmark and keep: https://shorturl.at/U1WcA

Zakeeya Fatima has achieved a remarkable win in a case involving Production of a Controlled Class B drug. She instructed Alistair Grainger of 25 Bedford Row to represent the client, an Albanian National. Her client was facing a possible sentence of up to eight years' imprisonment. On top of this, a deportation order to Albania had also been initiated, therefore putting the client at risk of being separated from his new-born daughter. Through Zakeeya and the team's intervention and successful representations to the CPS, the case was dismissed and the client was acquitted. This outcome ensures that he avoided custody and deportation and was able to remain with his family. #CriminalDefence #LegalWins #DrugOffences

Kiran Gibson secures successful outcome for her client   Kiran Gibson successfully secure the dismissal of a case for her client at Guildford Crown Court (sitting at Chichester Crown Court) following an application to dismiss.   The case involved the client, the only defendant on bail throughout the proceedings, who was a user of Class A and B drugs, charged alongside two co-defendants (brothers) with being concerned in the supply of controlled substances. The client was arrested after police, conducting arrest enquiries based on one brother's phone, were led to an address where the second brother and the client were found. At the property, police recovered 11 mobile phones, drugs, and drug paraphernalia.   The prosecution case was that phone downloads indicated discussions between the client and one brother regarding the supply of drugs and related profits. However, the Crown failed to serve attribution evidence linking the phone to the client. While forensic testing of drug packages revealed the client's DNA as a possible contributor, the analysis also identified at least five other DNA profiles from different individuals.   Despite numerous adjournments, delays from the Crown in responding to the defence skeleton argument, and the eventual hearing proceeding without a prosecutor, the judge allowed the application to dismiss. In doing so, he noted that the history of the application took “unacceptability to new levels” and concluded that the case was “weak and tenuous on any view.”   Ciara Maddocks of 25 Bedford Row was instructed.   Senior Associate Solicitor, Kiran Gibson is an experienced senior member of Blackfords LLP's Criminal Defence Team representing and advising clients in the youth and magistrates court in all manner of hearings, including trials. Kiran also litigates a varied Crown Court caseload and is responsible for cases ranging from the minor offences, such as road traffic offences to the most serious, such as historical sexual offences. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e36JCcu4 #CriminalDefence #DefenceLawyer #ApplicationToDismiss

The Bar Council has published “Race at the Bar: Three years on” (see: https://shorturl.at/chgYq). 25’s Laurie-Anne Power KC was co-chair of the Race Panel, which was instrumental in the writing of the Report. The Report provides insights, statistics, recommendations and a toolkit to help make the Bar more inclusive and accessible for both aspiring and practising barristers.   Like many other sets 25 Bedford Row contributed to the Report by responding to the Bar Council questionnaire. We are grateful to Sheryl Nwosu for her work in compiling our response.   Whilst the Report notes recent improvements in many areas it underlines that more work remains to be done. 25 is reflecting upon the Report and the improvements we can make as a Chambers.