Blog
Direct access Barrister | Criminal, Motoring & Regulatory Law
I don’t shoot from the hip
I got an enquiry from a man the other day. His adult son attended a voluntary interview at the police station, refused a solicitor and awaits hearing whether he'll be charged or not. Dad was hoping that as I am a barrister authorised to conduct litigation, I would be...
Ben Locker, Daphnegate & the Rule of Law
I recently had the pleasure of acting for Councillor Ben Locker in his defence of an allegation that he had failed to comply with Colchester Borough Council's Code of Conduct. I am delighted that the CBC Governance Committee agreed with my submissions that there could...
No, your Registered Keeper details are not automatically updated when you change your Driving Licence address
Have a driving licence and a car - and changing your address? s99 of the Road Traffic Act, 1988 requires all licence holders to notify the DVLA of a change of address. It is a separate offence under s43C of the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act, 1994 to use an...
Katie Hopkins and the Twitter Pitchforks
Why a little knowledge of the law is, erm, unhelpful and how Alex Andreou's legal analysis of s18 of the Public Order Act 1986 is flawed: Can @metpoliceuk explain why this by @KTHopkins is not "racial hatred" caught by POA1986, PtIII? @TheSunNewspaper...
Poor (wo)man’s lawyer Meets 21st Century pro bono
One of the best decisions I ever made was to start volunteering at the Toynbee Hall. I liked its “Poor Man’s Lawyer” roots, the buzz of the Wednesday evening first come, first served, advice free-for-all - and how Jack Profumo found his redemption there. I remember...
Dr Clifford Mann: Apparatchiks & why it’s important to leave the law to the legal professionals
SEP (Somebody else's problem) Alert: Dr Clifford Mann, President of the College of Emergency Medicine, has devised a novel approach to relieving pressure on A & E medical staff by blaming police for drunk people at A&E. The BBC reports Dr Mann saying: Police...
Drink Drive at the Highbury Magistrates Court
Christmas drink drive drama? Highbury Magistrates Court will re-open for business on Boxing Day to deal with the Christmas fall-out. All first appearances before the Judge or Magistrates are held in the Remand Court. One of the Highbury court rooms will be a dedicated...
Without due care and attention: Lawyers & Magistrates
You’ve never had a car accident before, never been arrested and never even seen a trial – much less be the subject of it. Yet you have to explain your driving decision-making and judgement to Magistrates – and be cross-examined by a Prosecutor. I prosecute as well as...
Challenging parking fines
Parked on private car park and have a "fine" on your windscreen? The Telegraph reports that Michael Green, a Cambridge law graduate, "is fighting to take every private parking firm in Britain to the High Court". Mr Green may be on to something.
Revenge Porn: My Ex Posted Our Sex Tape on Facebook
The amount of revenge porn issues I deal with staggers me. The scenario is generally this: While the relationship was going well, the couple may have exchanged private photos and videos. Then, out of spite, a guy tries to bully his ex by sharing and/or posting sex...
