Category: News

Craig Andrew Proctor made a last minute change to his plea, pleading guilty on the first day of his trial to the murder of Ellia Arathoon. The murder occurred in Ellesmere port in October 2016 with the most likely cause of death being blunt force trauma. Proctor attempted to dispose of the body by burning following the deceased being placed into a suitcase and moved to a nearby wooded area where the body was then set alight whilst inside the suitcase. This was a case whereby many of the witnesses and parties were connected by their use of illegal drugs. Proctor was sentenced to life, with a tariff of 21 years. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/murder-trial-death-mersey-mum-13767596 … Read More

Ben Douglas-Jones appeared for the Respondent in the appeal of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council v Pawlowski [2017] EWHC 1764 (Admin).  The High Court agreed with Ben Douglas-Jones that a council or a reviewing court is not functus officio where a private hire vehicle driver’s licence is suspended and further material evidence comes to light. While a suspension is not an interim – but a final – sanction (see R (Singh) v Cardiff County Council [2012] EWHC 1852 (Admin), [2013] L.L.R. 108), the council or court can nevertheless take into account further information and decide whether to reconsider whether suspension or revocation is appropriate. The Court also found that where it was apparent how magistrates had arrived at a decision from the arguments before them and the decision made, detailed reasons were not necessary.  In this case the costs order in the … Read More

Simon Medland QC and Matthew Corbett-Jones of Linenhall Chambers were prosecuting Counsel in the retrial of Gayle Newland. A guilty verdict was secured against the Defendant. Having been found guilty of three counts of sexual assault at Chester Crown Court in 2015, Gayle Newland’s conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in 2016 following criticism of the trial Judge’s summing up. The Defendant was granted bail pending a retrial which took place in Manchester Crown Court. The jury found the Defendant guilty of three counts of assault by penetration and was ordered to sign the sexual offender register. The Defendant will be sentenced on 20th July.   To read more on the case please click the link: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/29/gayle-newland-found-guilty-at-retrial-of-tricking-female-friend-into-sex … Read More

Linenhall Chambers are delighted to welcome Dominic Joyce, an experienced civil practitioner, to their Civil Team. Dominic was called to the Bar in 2008. James D’Arcy, senior civil clerk states, “We are very pleased that Dominic has joined Chambers. He will be a great addition to our expanding civil team. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to several key practice areas.”   … Read More

Kim Halsall of Linenhall Chambers, successfully prosecuted, and secured a conviction with a life sentence in a three week murder trial in Liverpool Crown Court.   To read more please click the link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-40434131 … Read More

Maria Masselis of Linenhall Chambers successfully represented one of four Defendants charged with historic sex offences. The Defendant represented by Linenhall was on a joint rape charge with Andrew Timblin. Following a 10 week trial in Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court, the Defendant was acquitted, while Timblin, the joint Defendant, was convicted of the rape of two victims. Judge Jeffrey Lewis branded Timblin “depraved” as he passed sentence of 21 years imprisonment.   To read more on the story clink the following link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-40254844   … Read More

Chambers is pleased to announce that Brian Treadwell has joined Chambers. Brian was called to the Bar in 2006 and has extensive experience of criminal and sports law. Gareth Stickles, Senior Criminal Clerk states ‘Brian is a highly experienced criminal barrister with an excellent reputation. He is a strong addition to our criminal team and we are delighted to welcome him to Chambers.’    … Read More

Linenhall Chambers has announced that Rhodri Williams QC has joined chambers as an Associate Member whilst continuing to practice at 30 Park Place , Cardiff and Henderson Chambers, London. Williams specialises in public and administrative law and local government law, and, in particular, public procurement and EU law. He advises on cases involving local and regional government, including advising the Welsh Assembly Government and other Government Departments and local authorities, in England, Wales and in Northern Ireland. He was called to the Bar in 1987 and took Silk in 2010; he was Called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 2009. As a fluent Welsh speaker Rhodri Williams QC is able to undertake cases in Welsh. Read More

Ben Douglas-Jones led by John McGuinness QC represented the DPP in an important case concerning the right to free speech. In DPP v Kingsley Smith, an appeal by way of case stated, the Administrative Court (Divisional List) found that four posts on Google+ were not merely an expression of the right to free speech: they were “menacing” or “grossly offensive”. Smith was an Islamic revert who had made comments supportive of ISIS.  He posted messages on You Tube clips (1) describing the conflict of radical Islam and the extreme right in Britain, (2) of the plea of the David Cameron, the then Prime Minister, from the pulpit of Oxford Cathedral for religious tolerance and (3) articles about ISIS and British Military power: “If I saw Paul Golding [leader of the far right wing organisation “Britain First”] I would slice his throat.” “David Cameron I’m gonna put an lED on your … Read More