The Legal Brief - 17th May 2023

Earlier this month, Rachel Simpson, a former Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) paralegal, was sentenced to six years in prison after being convicted of two counts of misconduct in a public office and 29 counts of unauthorised access of a computer system.

Between 2016 and her arrest in June 2020, Simpson repeatedly accessed CPS and crown court computer systems to obtain sensitive and highly confidential material, with a particular focus on complex police operations into drug conspiracy and money laundering cases. David Temkin KC told the court that Simpson would do this whilst she was away from the office, such as on bank holidays, during sick leave and late at night. Temkin described Simpson as conducting “clear and targeted” searches to gather information on well-known drug dealers and revealed that she often downloaded and printed this information to make hard copies. For example, in May 2020 Simpson downloaded an 8-page document which detailed a surveillance operation that was being carried out on a drug gang.

Not only did Simpson illegally acquire this information, but on two occasions she leaked documents to organised crime groups. In 2019, documents marked as ‘non-disclosable’ were anonymously sent to a Birmingham law firm, and this information was used in the appeal against the conviction of a member of an organised crime group who had dealt over £10 million worth of class A drugs. Similarly, Simpson shared a document on an encrypted messaging platform which encouraged the criminals who were being monitored to “modify their criminal strategy”.

The Chief Crown Prosecutor, Andrew Penhale, commented that due to her position as a CPS employee, Simpson was in a “position of trust” and remarked that she “fell well below” the expected standards of all CPS staff. Similarly, High Court Judge Mrs Justice Jefford DBE stated that the highest levels of integrity are expected from the CPS and that Simpson’s actions “fundamentally undermines public confidence in that integrity”.

In response to the sentencing, the CPS released the following statement: “ The CPS is committed to maintaining the public’s confidence in our ability to effectively manage data entrusted to us. Action is already underway to ensure that we effectively learn from the issues identified in this case and appropriate changes are made to prevent recurrence”.

Written by Imogen Ellis

In recent months, the constant reporting of how inflation is not decreasing as quickly as predicted due to high food prices and economic growth has been weak. From this, we have noticed the knock on effect on the economy at large, due to the inability to spend money which is a significant contributing factor to overall economic growth. Investment analysts have been paying close attention to how this is causing a lot of pressure on households given the higher taxes and bigger mortgage payments.

Given that inflation rates are at a staggering rate, it has been surging and remains stubbornly high. There is an element of uncertainty, since there is currently a prediction that household incomes are set to fall by a record amount this year but the number of job vacancies in the UK market remains high, in addition to employers offering higher wages to attract wages. Although the end result with these higher wages is dragging people into a higher tax bracket.

Economists have raised a number of concerns over the last few months, especially now with the introduction of a higher rate of income tax which will contribute to the sharp decline in household finances. However, with recent news reporting it will have a negative impact on teachers and nurses. Given that the majority of teachers and nurses are unsatisfied with their salaries, there have been many strikes for higher pay around the UK, this news was somewhat not very well welcomed.

It will be interesting to read the further reporting as to whether the government can identify alternatives in addressing this new threshold of risk as benefits scheme rises. 

Written by Isadora Carvalho

This week from Legally Speaking Podcast host, Robert Hanna :

🚀 Are you fascinated by how AI is transforming the legal landscape?

Join us in our chat with Harry Borovick, General Counsel at Luminance, a pioneering force transforming legal processes for over 500 companies globally. 🌍

🎙️ Our newest Legally Speaking Podcast ™️ episode, powered by Clio - Cloud-Based Legal Technology, explores the profound influence of AI on legal automation, shares invaluable insights for aspiring lawyers, and forecasts the future course of the legal industry.

We also take a moment to appreciate our distinguished past guests for their impactful contributions to the legal world:

📌 Jodie Hill - along with Chelsea Brooke-Ward mark your calendars for their eagerly awaited legal book launch on 28th June in Leeds.

📌 Mandeep Kaur Virdee - Heartfelt congratulations to her firm, KaurMaxwell, for achieving the prestigious #BCorp status! 🏆

📌 Sana S. - Save the date for her exciting STRIVE talk with Elaf Deyab, a Silicon Valley dynamo, on May 25th. 🎤

📌 Patricia Baxter, Esq. - a belated Happy Birthday! 🎉

📌 Maya Markovich - thrilled to acknowledge her vital contribution to the comprehensive LawtechUK Report on #JusticeTech

📌 Anne Rose - Her moderation of the 'TLA Blockchain Legal & Regulatory Guidance' launch on June 8th is a must-attend event.

📌 Jayne Backett – Join her at the insightful 'Hot Topics for Junior Lawyers/Young Legal Professionals' event, arranged by the fabulous London Young Lawyers Group at Fieldfisher on May 26th, also featuring our alumni Jake Schogger. 🎓

📌 Laura Brunnen – Bravo to her and the wonderful ~ Catherine Hyde ~ for organising a memorable networking dinner for the legal community, featuring past Legally Speaking Podcast guests Alistair Wells & David Turney alongside Sam Walkley, Joanna Marshall, Florence Brocklesby, Katie Cosgrove, Sarah Gardner, and Simon P MARSHALL.

We have exciting news from our partners at Clio!

Clio's AWESOME Innovate Legal series is back on June 8th in Birmingham hosted by Laura Leech, showcasing some of the UK's most innovative legal professionals, including Daniel Jenkins, Chrissie Wolfe & James Modley.

📢 SHOUT OUTS 📢

Join us in celebrating the spectacular success of Legal Iconoclast Expo#2, led by my friend Scott Simmons and amazing speakers Elani Maas, John Chisholm, Karen Finch, Leah Steele, Melissa Lyon & Shaun Jardine. Don't miss the chance to learn all about value-based pricing!

We admire "We Are Menos", a sustainability-focused brand conceived by Liam Porritt & Beth Baxter.

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Corporate M&A x 5  - Multinational Law Firm  - London

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Data protection Senior Associate/ Director ( x4 ) - Multinational Law Firm  - London

Employee Incentives Associate/Senior Associate - Multinational Law Firm  - London

International Privacy, Security and Information Senior Associate/Director - Global Law Firm  - London

IP Litigation Associate - Global Law Firm  - London

Real Estate Solicitor/Associate - Global Law Firm  - London

Tax Associate  - Multinational Law Firm  - London

Technology Associate/Senior Associate - Multinational Law Firm  - London

For further information, or to get your questions answered, please send a message to Robert Hanna.

If you cannot see a job suitable for you, but are interested to hear about more jobs at KC Partners, please send your CV to info@kcpartners.co.uk to be considered.

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