James Atkinson Inquest begins

The inquest into the death of James Atkinson began yesterday at Newcastle Coroner’s Court. 

James, who grew up in Leeds, died suddenly on 10 July 2020 after ordering a takeaway pizza via the Deliveroo app from a Restaurant in Newcastle. James had a known peanut allergy, and it is believed he suffered a severe allergic reaction after eating pizza which was part of the order.

Guidance on ‘closed hearings’ and ‘closed material’ in the Court of Protection – Article by Helena Spector and Suzanne Smales

The Vice President of the Court of Protection, Mr Justice Hayden, has issued guidance on “closed hearings” and “closed material” in the Court of Protection. The purpose of the new guidance is to provide a structured and consistent way for the court to consider whether a hearing should be closed and/or for material to be closed; to “provide clarity as to the principles to be applied and considerations to be taken into account in the very limited circumstances” under which closed proceedings take place. The guidance also applies to situations where a party and/or their representative is not to be told of the fact or outcome of a without notice hearing.

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Helena Spector discusses strikes and your rights as an Employee

Helena Spector concludes 5-day jury inquest representing the family of the deceased

The inquest touching the death of Delia Haley was held over five days at Doncaster Coroners Court. It dealt with the events leading up to a sudden cardiac event at a locked rehabilitation facility for people with mental health and psychiatric problems. The deceased was diagnosed with schizophrenia disorder and a mild learning disability.

R (Ture) v Senior Coroner for Manchester North [2022] EWHC 1027 (Admin) 4 May 2022

Ture concerned the application for leave for judicial review brought by the Family in the Inquest Touching on the Death of Shukri Yahye Abdi. 12-year-old Shukri died on 27 June 2019 by way of drowning in the River Irwell in Bury, Manchester. Shukri had been led by two children, Child 1 and Child 2, to the river. It was known that she could not swim. At the river, she was taken by Child 1 into deep water, was left there while in difficulties and she drowned. The case gave rise to allegations of bullying and unlawful killing.

PSQB Criminal Team delivers remote CPD seminar

Thank you to all the delegates that attended last night’s Criminal Team Seminar. 6 of our Barristers gave talks and legal updates on: Ms Holly Clegg – Recent Sentencing updates Mr Joseph Hudson – The importance of being punished; life sentences on the move Ms Eleanor Mitten – Reviewing the changes to achieving best evidence interviews Mr Matthew Stewart – S66 Courts Act […]

Park Square Barristers invites you to the first of this year’s Zoom CPD Seminars

The first PSQB Criminal seminar of 2022 will be taking place via zoom from 5pm on Tuesday the 5th of April. Senior criminal clerk Andrew Thornton will host and junior members of the criminal team will be delivering talks on a range of topics. Current speakers and topics include:   Ms Holly Clegg – Recent […]

The Covid-19 Inquiry: what we know so far

The report, by the Health and Social Care Committee and the Science and Technology Committee, says the late lockdown in the early stages of the pandemic is “one of the most important public health failures the United Kingdom has ever experienced”. It also detailed problems with care homes, with the “slow, uncertain and often chaotic” Test and Trace system and with the preparedness of the NHS going into the pandemic.