Ben Blakemore

Barrister at Iscoed Chambers

[WG RumblePants @WG_RumblePants]

Today’s beautiful cricket ground is the home of Mumbles CC in Wales

[The Bar Council @thebarcouncil]

Geoffrey Robertson KC's article 'For Mercy's Sake' was written pro bono for the Bar Council. Our Chair @Kirsty_Brimelow said: "The Bar Council is the forceful opponent of government plans to curb trial by jury... Geoffrey Robertson KC has written an authoritative paper on juries and the Courts and Tribunals Bill for the Bar Council, pro bono. He is the founding head of Doughty Street Chambers, which is my chambers as well as the former professional home of great lawyers who entered politics."
#JusticeNeedsJuries

[The Bar Council @thebarcouncil]

Founding head of @DoughtyStreet Chambers Geoffrey Robertson KC has written a polemical attack on the government's proposals to restrict jury trials through the Courts and Tribunals Bill, which begins committee stage scrutiny this week.

In ‘For Mercy’s Sake’, GRKC explains how the government has overlooked the constitutional importance of trial by jury – to stand up independently against the state and to extend mercy to defendants who deserve it. He suggests that the Bill will work to worsen delays in the court system and recommends alternative measures that can eliminate them.

He argues: “Once Leveson is seen for what it requires of court time and resources, jury removal may well be a cure worse than the disease..."

Read more: https://t.co/hHApcN3Q9b

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

A few days ago, David Lammy wrote a letter to the Justice Committee answering some questions about his proposals to restrict jury trial.

This is a welcome step.

It’s a telling letter.

But not for the reasons you might think.

🪡 🧵

[Lee Harris @LeeHarris]

This is utterly DAMNING for David Lammy.

"We are not looking to convict people as quickly as possible, we are looking for justice."

A Barrister clinically dismantles David Lammy's disgraceful decision to scrap jury trials.

Watch until the end.
It wont even fix the backlog.

[Nick Thomas-Symonds @NickTorfaen]

Today we remember the 116 children and 28 adults who died in the unimaginable tragedy of #Aberfan fifty-nine years ago today.

We will never forget the pain of the people of #Aberfan in those darkest of times, or their courage and dignity in the years since.

[Ben Blakemore @BenBlakemore1]

@DanielJMath1 Orange smoke from the conclave seems unlikely

[Jason Evans 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🇪🇺 @EvansTheCrime]

Extraordinary case ➡️ Four people have been jailed for storming a court with handcuffs and trying to kidnap a coroner. The conspirators were part of the “organised pseudolegal commercial arguments" movement. (By ⁦@lewis_adams⁩ for ⁦@BBCNews⁩) https://t.co/754IJMLcj6

[CrimeLine @CrimeLineLaw]

His Majesty The King has been pleased to approve the appointments of Mr Justice Jeremy Baker, Mr Justice Cobb, Mr Justice Holgate and Mr Justice Zacaroli as Lord Justices of Appeal.

These appointments will fill vacancies within the Court of Appeal.

[Offshore “exbritish legal do-gooder”Taff @AlastairTaff]

https://t.co/wNeSnzA1Rt This is crazy... the Defence Attorney got arrested for contempt... which i am not sure if it is contempt... and they are continuing the trial... .

[National Theatre @NationalTheatre]

Today is #DylanThomasDay 💛

On the 14th May 1953 #UnderMilkWood was first read on stage at The Poetry Center, New York.

Under Milk Wood by Dylan Thomas, with #MichaelSheen, is available to watch on #NationalTheatreAtHome

[The Secret Barrister 🦋 @BarristerSecret]

This is an excellent initiative. It deserves to be properly resourced and rolled out nationwide.

[Jason Evans 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 🇪🇺 @EvansTheCrime]

Turns out Swansea Crown Court / Llys y Goron Abertawe is at the end of the rainbow. (📸 by @athenapics)

[Peter Stefanovic @PeterStefanovi2]

This is absolutely heartbreaking 💔

[Nature is Amazing ☘️ @AMAZlNGNATURE]

This bird has just discovered that golf balls bounce on concrete and he's absolutely loving it 😂

[Ben Blakemore @BenBlakemore1]

@legalolder John, I’m based in Swansea so pretty local - do just say if there’s anything I can bring in that would make things more comfortable/less dull! All the very best

[Emyr Lewis @EmyrLewis4]

Tyrd i ddysgu'r Gyfraith yn Aberystwyth, ysgol Cyfraith wreiddiol Cymru.

Dyma gyfle i gyfrannu at ein darpariaeth eang cyfrwng Cymraeg a Saesneg.

Cydweithwyr hyfryd - a golygfeydd o'r môr! https://t.co/RIwVZS3lFJ

[CrimeLine @CrimeLineLaw]

Some local news reporter will have a lot of fun when this discover this case https://t.co/ztGo18g7tF

[The CBA @TheCriminalBar]

Criminal Bar Association Survey of Rape And Serious Sexual Offences
•64% of Prosecutors completing our survey said at renewal they will not be reapplying to be on the RASSO List.  Only 246 RASSO Prosecutors who completed the survey said they would remain on the List in the future.
•66% of Defence RASSO Counsel said they no longer want to conduct these cases.
•53% of those who conduct Section 28 cross-examination do not want to carry on, with over half of those saying this was down to lack of remuneration for the work involved.
•Overall 6 out of 10 surveyed cited poor fees as the reason for refusing to conduct RASSO cases.
•Half of all those surveyed pointed to poor well-being as the cause for refusing to conduct RASSO cases.
Current and future intentions:
•Two thirds of all respondents (67%) said they will not currently consider accepting more RASSO cases.
•Over three quarters (78%) of respondents under 5 years Call said they will not consider building a RASSO practice.
•One third (34%) of respondents said they had reduced their RASSO practice in this past year.
•46% of respondents cite the reason for reducing RASSO work as insufficient remuneration, 46% diary complications, 42% listing difficulties, 32% wellbeing.
Prosecution barristers:
•Two thirds of Prosecution Counsel (64%) said that they will not reapply to the CPS panel of approved RASSO prosecutors when their renewal is due – that includes those who are currently on CPS panel lists or who have previously prosecuted for the CPS.
•Only one third (36%) currently on the CPS RASSO panel said they would re-apply.
•Only 246 criminal barristers who are currently approved to prosecute on behalf the CPS said that they will make themselves available for CPS panel lists to prosecute RASSO cases.
•Nearly two thirds (62%) of those who prosecute cited insufficient remuneration, 50% also cited wellbeing as affecting their decision not to reapply to prosecute RASSO cases.
Defence barristers:
•Over 4 in 10 (42%) of those who take on publicly funded RASSO defence cases do not intend continue to do so. [Pay is set by Government under Criminal Legal Aid Advocacy fees, AGFS]
•Over half (52%) cited insufficient remuneration as a reason for this, 36% wellbeing, 30% listing difficulties.
Fees for RASSO cases must be increased, to respect the complexities of evidence handling and to recognise their inherent seriousness if we are to retain and recruit the specialist Counsel needed.  We have submitted an urgent request for increased RASSO fees to the CLAARB but the MoJ must act quickly.
We at the CBA will do our part to provide new RASSO training and with the support of the Bar Council and other stakeholders will help re-set the Criminal Justice System for victims, complainants and defendants.  Providing a visible swift justice system that people can trust must start with reducing the backlog which is a goal that can only be achieved by properly remunerating those dedicating themselves to it.