9 barristers in the PSQB criminal team have secured a higher level of grading on the general crime list.

Four men have been found guilty of killing a teenage boy.

The Court of Appeal decision in R v Gould [2021] EWCA Crim 447 (‘Gould’) aimed to provide clarity as to the use of section 66 of the Courts Act 2003 (‘section 66’).

Much like other areas of the legal profession, inquests have felt the impact of covid-19 in numerous ways. It is not, therefore, surprising that jury inquests rose by 79% from 2020 to 2021; and that there was a rise in the number of suicide conclusions returned in 2021.

This article seeks to comment on the recent High Court decision in Dove v HM Assistant Coroner for Teeside & Hartlepool & Others [2021] EWHC 2511 (Admin). Although the Court considered multiple grounds of appeal this comment will focus on the Court’s ruling in relation to Article 2 and, in particular, as to the applicability of the positive operational duty.

This article seeks to outline the recent decision by the High Court as to whether an inquest was required which engaged the enhanced investigative duty under article 2 (commonly known as a Middleton inquest (R (Middleton) v West Somerset Coroner [2004] 2 AC 182)).

Nathan represented a prison healthcare provider for a multi-day article 2 jury Inquest before Her Majesty’s Senior Coroner for Worcestershire. The Inquest was held as a hybrid hearing with counsel and witnesses appearing remotely.

“In a previous article I considered the inconsistent approach taken to the categorisation of harm when sentencing Defendants in cases where sexual activity against children does not actually take place. That article focused on the judgments in R v Privett [2020] EWCA Crim 557 (‘Privett’) and R v Manning [2020] EWCA Crim 592 (‘Manning’).”

We are absolutely delighted to announce that Nathan Davis will join Park Square Barristers on 9th September as a tenant following the completion of his pupillage.

This comment notes the recent and interesting decision of the High Court in Rushbond Plc v The J S Design Partnership LLP [2020] EWHC 1982 (TCC) which concerned whether a duty of care was owed from damage caused by a third party.

Nathan Davis comments on the recent Court of Appeal decision in R v Lawrence EWCA Crim 971. The Court had to determine whether a lie by the appellant as to his fertility could, in law, negate the consent given by the complainant.

Nathan Davis reviews two Court of Appeal cases which have considered the effect that COVID-19 can have in sentencing in cases where the custody threshold has been passed.