Devon Chambers

Barristers providing advice and advocacy in criminal, family and civil law.

[Devon Chambers @devonbarrister]

Well done to all the 1000s running or supporting in the 10k or half marathon in Plymouth today. A great event. Hopefully the weather will be kinder to you than last year. Good luck to all the @devonbarrister runners.

[The Bar Council @thebarcouncil]

There is no evidence that limiting the right to a jury trial will bring down the Crown Court backlog.

In fact, new data has shown that tried and tested, targeted initiatives are working to bring down the backlog already.

Removing the cap on the number of days that judges can sit, for example, has "significantly" reduced the backlog in areas in England and Wales.

The government should focus on what will work rather than waste time and resource on an unnecessary change to jury trials.

Read more in the Times (subscription required)⤵️
https://t.co/2QIgJXZhAV

#JusticeNeedsJuries

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

Beware rumours of compromise regarding the restriction of jury trials if Starmer is politically wounded or politically finished tomorrow.

It isn’t enough to compromise on judge-alone trials. It’s not nearly enough.

It was never the real issue 👇🏼

[Devon Chambers @devonbarrister]

Good luck to all those awaiting results of their pupillage applications this year. Only one hour to go. Well done to all those who get an offer. To those who don’t, remember some of the most successful members of the Bar took a few rounds so keep going.

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

And not just that.

They are simultaneously changing the rules so that more and more people will receive a summary trial.

It’s a double whammy.

There will be more serious cases with more complicated evidence dealt with summarily - but the *automatic* safeguard is being removed.

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

They aren’t just restricting juries in the Bill.

Every MP voting for it is voting to restrict your right to do what Mr Linehan did - to say to a Crown Court: ‘I would like to exercise my automatic right for this conviction, (imposed summarily), to be considered in full & afresh’

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

Re-examining - from scratch - a summary conviction can be important, consequential work.

The government want to introduce this set of spectacularly bad ideas instead 👇🏼

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

An interesting fact about the Graham Linehan @Glinner appeal is that the right Mr Linehan exercised - an automatic right to appeal a summary conviction via a full rehearing in the Crown Court - would no longer exist under David Lammy’s proposed reforms.

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

Siri: give me one example of the difference between having power and having respect.

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

This from @Geoffrey_Cox was titanic - a truly beautiful speech.

He outshone those sat opposite. They could only watch. And nervously laugh.

This should be seen by every new MP to understand what they do, & every new barrister to understand what we do.

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

Crikey. This is a read and a half. 👀

‘I was a judge. We must not be silenced over the vandalism of juries’

https://t.co/ECHgCAJuno

[Devon Chambers @devonbarrister]

https://t.co/17cVE86HYf

[Devon Chambers @devonbarrister]

Good luck to all having a pupillage interview today no matter where you are in the country. Just remember the panel will want you to be the best you can be. They have all sat in your position years ago, just imagine you will be on the other side of the table in a few years time.

[The Secret Barrister 🦋 @BarristerSecret]

Here is a list of reasons why some of my hearings and trials this year have been delayed and kicked off into the long grass, stuck in our record court backlog. Serious allegations which will now be tried *years* after the event. 🧵👇

[CrimBarrister @CrimBarrister]

There are plenty of Crown Court trials going on every day up and down the country. But there could be more, if successive Govts had not closed so many court buildings and sold them off, and are still keeping about 15-20% of available Crown Court court rooms closed each day

[Joanna Hardy-Susskind @Joanna__Hardy]

@GuidoFawkes Sigh 👇🏼

[Devon Chambers @devonbarrister]

Devon Chambers announces new Senior Family and Civil Clerk https://t.co/yqoFmj1mRh

[The Secret Barrister 🦋 @BarristerSecret]

This government has not taken a single step to tackle the causes of the horrendous inefficiencies in the criminal justice system, instead rushing to dismantle trial by jury.

Legal professionals have offered many alternatives to address the backlog.

Ministers are not listening.

[Devon Chambers @devonbarrister]

Congratulations to Jo Martin KC who has been appointed as Chair of the Prescription Medicine Code of Practice Appeal Board. Adding yet another string to her bow, she remains committed to her work as King’s Counsel in both criminal and family law. https://t.co/DKWP4P2SL7

[Devon Chambers @devonbarrister]

Applications now open for the @devonbarrister mini-pupillage, click on the link below to apply.
https://t.co/VEdnhXUW0x