Trial without a jury.

There will be an appeal before the Lord Chief Justice and two other Court of Appeal judges, sitting at the Old Bailey for security reasons. The issue is as to the convictions being 'unsafe' following the first serious trial without a jury in England & Wales. It had taken place after the Court of Appeal ruled there had been a significant risk of jury tampering. It is to be noted that the trial was the fourth attempt to try the  defendants Twomey, Blake, Hibberd and Cameron. Also, the trial apparently cost over 25 million pounds. Sentences ranged from life to 15 years. Jury trials have changed considerably during the author's decades of experience. One example is the abolition of peremptory challenges in jury selection, which are still in use in the USA and can be seen in many a movie.

Ageing drivers?

Just a note to perhaps provoke debate:
The latest research indicates that drivers aged over 50 account for 32 per cent of all drivers. However, by 2035 this should rise to 40 per cent.
Will there be a concomitant 8% reduction in Road Traffic Accidents? Drivers and drivers huh?

Far-reaching anti-curruption laws to come into effect in April 2011.

The Bribery Act is due to come into effect in April and is expected to cause alarm and distress among compliance and executive officers of companies.
The Bribery Act will introduce corporate offences such as failing to prevent bribery. In this type of case, individual company executives might face personal criminal sanctions if they are proved to have consented or connived in the offering or receiving of a bribe.
Companies and individuals may have to prove that adequate procedures were put in place to prevent bribery.
M23LAW are alerting their corporate clients in particular to this far-reaching legislation. We believe it is more pernicious in some respects than current USA legislation, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
We are therefore gearing-up to advise and represent companies and executives who might wish to receive our specialist services. Please speak to Andrew for further guidance.

Successful defence of suspect under investigation by the Ministry of Defence.

Our client was under investigation over recent months by Ministry of Defence officers. We cannot of course go into the nature of the Royal Navy inquiry but suffice to say it was quite complicated and involved a series of allegations. Our client was very relieved when we informed him of the successful outcome. He remains of good character and able to continue his nautical and educational career.
We were supported in this case by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers.