So Part 2 of the recommencing of the weekly blog, this one will concentrate on all things family and civil.
With the shutting of the courts at the end of March as the nationwide lockdown took effect it was the family and civil courts that adapted the quickest with the initiating of remote hearings either by phone, Zoom, Microsoft teams or other platforms, in fact since lockdown started the civil team have taken on well over 2000 new cases. It is also the case that with hearings being remote, counsel have been able to take on cases across the length and breadth of the country, appearing from Carlisle all the way down to Truro and from Cardiff all the way across the country to Norwich.
• Sophie Mitchell is acting for HM Prisons and Probation Service in a personal injury action over alleged historic sexual abuse, asking the Court not to exercise its s.33 discretion under the Limitation Act 1980.
• Jeremy Barnett has written an update on Product and Food Safety Recalls which you can read by using the link http://www.jeremybarnett.co.uk/product-safety-recalls-update-trading-standards-lawyer
• Robert Smith has been instructed by Jordans Solicitors to represent a claimant in regards to an appeal against an award from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority.
• Bryan Cox QC is instructed to act for the father in an ongoing family case at Leeds County Court.
• Sophie Mitchell is representing the Claimant in a privacy and data protection claim against the police after they released his name, photograph and information that he had sexually assaulted a minor before the Claimant had even been questioned or charged by the police. The Claimant was never prosecuted because the alleged victim admitted making up the assault, yet had to endure threats from vigilante ‘paedophile hunter’ gangs ever since.
• Kristina Goodwin, representing the family at an inquest in November, secured a regulation 28 report to be sent by the Coroner to the Trust that had treated the deceased, recommending improvements.
• Richard Barraclough QC will be representing a local authority in a fact finding hearing where parents are accused of being complicit in the abuse of children by an individual who is currently serving a long prison sentence.
Thank you for reading and as always if you wish to speak to the clerks you can call chambers on 01132455866 and follow the instructions on the automated system or alternatively email at c[email protected]
