Red Lion Chambers

We mark the first refurbishment of 18 Red Lion Court in 25 years with our new video “Introducing Red Lion Chambers” showing: – The services offered by one of the leading criminal sets at the Bar- 18 RLC and our annexe in Chelmsford – Why members choose RLC as their professional home – Our academic and legal expertise which includes editing legal publications such as “Archbold” and “Blackstone’s” and writing for periodicals and other works – How we ensure wellbeing throughout our working lives for all members with support, supervision, monitoring and creative activities – Our support for nurturing and promoting women at the Bar including wellbeing support and talks on topics such as the menopause – What makes a good pupil? Learn more about us below:

Simon Spence KC was recently invited to discuss the government’s proposal to scrap trial by jury for certain offences in order to address court backlogs. Appearing on BBC Radio Suffolk, Simon discussed the implications of the suggestion, which aims to shift ‘middle bracket’ offences to magistrates' courts. @SimonspenceKC emphasized that the answer to tackling court delays is not to remove the right to a jury trial. Instead, he highlighted the urgent need for investment in the justice system, including more judges, barristers, courtrooms, and resources to enable courts to operate at full capacity. He commented: "The current backlog has resulted in some individuals waiting up to four years for their trial, which has severely eroded public confidence in the justice system. Vulnerable victims in sensitive cases, particularly in sexual offences, are increasingly withdrawing their consent to proceed. This poses a real risk of individuals walking free who should otherwise be held accountable." He concluded: “The justice system is one of the pillars of society, like health and education. You have to invest in it to make it work properly, and that has not been happening for the last 20 years.” Listen from 21:09 here: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0…

Court of Appeal overturns brothers' conviction after 20-year legal battle On 5 November 2003, an elderly couple Carol and Graham Fisher were murdered in their remote home in Wadebridge, Cornwall. Following their arrest in 2004, Lee Firkins and his brother Robert were remanded in prison. The prosecution case centred on an alleged cell confession made by Robert to a fellow remand inmate. In January 2006 the brothers were convicted at Exeter Crown Court. For almost 20 years, John Lyons, instructed by Hickman and Rose and subsequently by Bird & Co. worked on the case together with James Wood KC. After two appeals to the Court of Appeal, applications to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and an application to the European Court of Human Rights, in December 2023 the Court of Appeal quashed the convictions of both brothers. As a result of the efforts by the defence since conviction, it had become clear that the key prosecution witness suffered from severe psychopathy. Together with other fresh evidence obtained by the defence since the trial, the Court of Appeal held that it was unsafe to rely on cell confession evidence. The Court of Appeal ordered a retrial and the successful outcome of the appeal could not be reported at the time. One year on, on 16 December 2024, the prosecution has now finally offered no evidence and not guilty verdicts have been entered. In the course of preparing the appeal John Lyons reviewed how courts internationally treat cell confession evidence. He commented: "It is alarmingly easy for dishonest inmates to fabricate false cell confessions as a means of seeking revenge or gaining personal benefits, such as reduced sentences or rewards. It is time for English courts to introduce robust safeguards to restrict the reliance on cell confession evidence." John Lyons specialises exclusively in criminal defence and is instructed on behalf of potential victims of miscarriages of justice and is involved in representing those seeking to appeal historic criminal convictions through the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Read more: redlionchambers.co.uk/barrister/john… #CourtOfAppeal #20Years #Firkins

BLOG: Fifty Years After the Birmingham Pub Bombings "The 50th anniversary of the Birmingham bombings is a stark reminder of the pain suffered by so many – the victims of the bombings, the families of those who lost their lives and the innocent individuals who were wrongly convicted of committing the crime to name a few." Attending a commemorative event titled "Error of Judgement – The Truth about the Birmingham Bombings" at City, University of London which featured investigative journalist and former MP Chris Mullin discussing his pivotal role in exposing the wrongful convictions of innocent individuals @BMardemootoo has written a compelling blog to explore Mullin's landmark work and discuss the enduring impact of the bombings. She writes: "In a report published this past summer, it is clear that miscarriages of justice of the sort faced by the Birmingham Six are anything but gone. Malkinson’s case brought to light several issues with the current criminal justice system, including but not limited to: Non-disclosure of relevant material; The process by which the CCRC reviews the referral requests which come to them and limitations to access to justice relating to costs and finances." Read full blog here: barcouncil.org.uk/resource/50-ye… @thebarcouncil Basanti Mardemootoo is a first six pupil barrister. Before pupillage, Basanti worked as a paralegal at Bhatt Murphy Solicitors on the Covid-19 Public Inquiry and an inquest into a death in custody. Her experience also includes roles at the International Criminal Court and the United Nations, focusing on counter-terrorism and human rights. Read more: redlionchambers.co.uk/barrister/basa… #TheBirminghamSix #MiscarriageOfJustice #MPChrisMullin #CriminalLaw #Crime #CCRC #LegalArticle

Thank you to Clean Break's Big Night Out Support Act Sponsor @RedLionChambers, for their continued support of our work. Book your tickets to our Big Night Out at @theotherpalace: bit.ly/CBBNOtickets

Valerie Charbit (Assistant Coroner to West London Coroner’s Court ) will be speaking at a Webinar "Experiences in the Coroner's Court” hosted by @BevanBrittanLLP today at 12.30pm. She will be joined by Senior Associate and Inquest specialist Samantha Minchin to discuss: -evidential management -advocate competencies -when independent expert evidence is required -how many witnesses do you really need? -Prevention of Future Deaths reports Valerie also acts in inquests and inquiries as an advocate. She represents corporate and other interested persons in different inquests. She is currently instructed for an NHS trust on the Lampard Inquiry and has previously represented a core participant on the Grenfell Inquiry. Read more about Valerie Charbit here: #profile" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">redlionchambers.co.uk/barrister/vale… Red Lion Chambers has outstanding expertise conducting inquests in the Coroners’ courts. Members have advised and participated in some of the most high-profile inquests and inquiries in the country, including the Inquiry into the 7/7 bombings that took place on 7 July 2005. Read more: redlionchambers.co.uk/area/inquests-… Please book here: communications.bevanbrittan.com/100/512/landin… #Inquests #Coroner #Inquiries #Webinar

Simon Spence KC and Hatti Suvari delve into critical questions around those who have been accused of a serious sexual offence such as rape for their latest Get Legally Speaking podcast. Simon brings his extensive experience in handling complex and sensitive sexual offence cases, particularly those involving vulnerable individuals, to provide thoughtful insights into the legal dimensions of these issues. Listen here: …king-with-hatti-suvari.simplecast.com/episodes/rape-… Simon Spence KC: #sexual-offences" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">redlionchambers.co.uk/barrister/simo… #LegalPodcast #LegalInsights #SexualOffences #CriminalLaw

RLC members conclude prosecution of £3 million money laundering operation Jack Talbot and Faye Rolfe have successfully prosecuted a company director Ranbir Singh (aka ‘Rana’) who has been jailed for 6 years for running a multi-million-pound money laundering operation. The HMRC investigation team trawled over 80 personal and company accounts, some of which Ranbir Singh was able to open by pretending to work for HMRC and the MOD. His wife Kuldip Badesha was a senior officer in the HMRC compliance team and created two fake HMRC letters on her work computer for her then-husband which enabled him to open two personal bank accounts with Royal Bank of Scotland and Santander. During their trial at Southwark Crown Court, Ranbir Singh, 46, pleaded guilty to two counts of money laundering and has been sentenced to six years imprisonment. His wife, Kuldip Badesha, 46 pleaded guilty to one count of misconduct in public office and has been sentenced to 14 months imprisonment suspended. RLC members were instructed by Michael McCrone, Specialist Prosecutor as the Serious Economic Organised Crime and International Division (SEOCID) of the CPS. Jack Talbot has considerable expertise in fraud, corruption and business crime and is a CPS Fraud Panel Advocate (Grade 4) and is regularly instructed in high-profile and challenging cases. He both defends and prosecutes cases involving corporate defendants and has provided expert advice concerning bribery and corruption charges in the public sector. Read more: #profile" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">redlionchambers.co.uk/barrister/jack… Faye Rolfe is instructed both to prosecute and defend across the spectrum of offences, including in cases involving Fraud, Money Laundering & Proceeds of Crime, and has been involved in large-scale disclosure review exercises and investigations into international bribery and corruption: redlionchambers.co.uk/barrister/faye… News stories: @Independent independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/… @FTAdviser ftadviser.com/hm-revenue-cus… @Telegraph telegraph.co.uk/money/ex-hmrc-… #KuldipBadesha #RanbirSingh #Badesha #HMRC #SEOCID #MoneyLaundering #MisconductInPublicOffice #CompaniesHouse #BusinessCrime

Syam Soni has achieved a significant acquittal for his client, who was charged with causing death by dangerous driving. The trial, which lasted five days at Manchester Crown Court, involved complex legal arguments, including issues of bad character, causation, and remoteness, as well as the instruction of multiple experts to challenge the prosecution’s case and assess the speeds of both vehicles. Syam’s client, who had admitted guilt to a lesser charge of dangerous driving, was ultimately acquitted of causing death by dangerous driving. Syam Soni is a criminal defence specialist whose principal areas of expertise include conspiracy to murder, multi-handed violence/disorder, serious sexual offences and multi-handed drugs conspiracies. Read more: #serious-violence" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">redlionchambers.co.uk/barrister/syam… He was instructed and assisted by Mohammed Omar Saleem and Hasnain Khan of Alison Law Solicitors. #Defence #Acquittal

The Fraud Newsletter for November 2024 is out now summarising the latest developments in fraud including: -New cases on privilege & hearsay -Important new Sis on crypto and failure to prevent fraud -A change to the FCA’s plan to name and shame -A new bribery investigation for the SFO & an earlier one dropped -A multi-million pound fine for Barclays Nov newsletter: redlionchambers.substack.com/p/the-fraud-ne… The Fraud newsletter is compiled by Faras Baloch, Andrew Herd and Francesca Kirby. #FraudNewsletter #FraudNews #NovFraudCases

Aneurin Brewer appeared for an applicant in the Court of Appeal successfully quashing his 2021 conviction for facilitating breaches of immigration law. On 28th November 2024, the Court of Appeal granted leave to appeal out of time and granted the substantive appeal quashing the applicant’s conviction. No retrial was sought. The applicant, an asylum seeker who had piloted a small boat of asylum seekers across the English Channel in 2020, had been wrongly advised by his original legal team that he had no defence to the charge and consequently pleaded guilty and received a sentence of 2 years’ imprisonment which he served. When he learnt of Aneurin Brewer’s successful appeals against conviction for other small boats’ pilots in Kakaei [2021] EWCA Crim 503, Bani [2021] EWCA Crim 1958, Rakei (8th February 2022 unreported) and Khodamoradi [2022] EWCS Crim 37 he sought to appeal his conviction some three years out of time. The Court exceptionally granted an extension of the deadline for lodging grounds of appeal. The appeal was granted on the basis it was “indistinguishable” from earlier appeals and the prosecution apologised in open court to Mr Bahadorie for falling into a “legal heresy” in bringing the prosecution. Aneurin Brewer is frequently instructed to give a second opinion on grounds of appeal against conviction and sentence on a referral basis. He regularly appears before the Court of Appeal on behalf of clients he has represented in proceedings before the lower Courts and on behalf of defendants previously represented by others. Read more: redlionchambers.co.uk/barrister/aneu… Aneurin Brewer was instructed by Canel Halil of Emery Halil Brown. #CourtOfAppeal

Professor Laura Hoyano has authored Chapter D 14, a pivotal chapter in Blackstone’s Criminal Practice 2025 on Special Measures Directions and Anonymous Witness Orders, providing critical insight into these complex areas of practice. The Chapter includes tips for advocates using the YJCEA 1999 section 28 recorded cross-examination Special Measure. Since 2012 she has written the chapter and she is also a contributor to Rook & Ward on Sexual Offences (2021) and every edition of Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings, the official guidance for the management of vulnerable witnesses. Blackstone’s Criminal Practice 2025 also features Associate Tenant HH Peter Rook and is edited by Professor David Ormerod CBE, KC (Hon) and David Perry KC. It is an authoritative and accessible guide for criminal practitioners with comprehensive legal analysis, essential updates, and expert commentary remaining the go-to resource for practitioners navigating the complexities of criminal law. Read more: global.oup.com/booksites/cont… @LHoyano

Professor Susan Edwards ( RLC Door Tenant) delivered a lecture @CPSUK on domestic abuse and violence against women and girls marking the "16 days of Activism" global campaign. Read more: redlionchambers.co.uk/professor-susa… Picture: @CPSUK @_DavidMalone @edwards_prof #16DaysOfActivism #16DaysOfActivism2024 #EndDomesticAbuse #RaiseAwareness #NoExcuse

🚨 Our final @LegalSpeakPod sponsored by @goclio, Path to Pupillage Minisode is LIVE! 🎙️ Featuring Sailesh Mehta @RedLionChambers, this must-listen wraps up a series packed with advice on self-belief, discipline & courage to thrive at the Bar. ⚖️ 🎧👉 podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/leg…

Professor Susan Edwards @edwards_prof (RLC Door Tenant) will be delivering a talk to the @CPSUK to mark the “16 days of Activism" global campaign which focuses on gender-based violence. The campaign runs every year from today -the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women to 10 December, Human Rights Day. Speaking on Thursday 28 November, 1– 2pm Professor Susan Edwards will evaluate the impact of the Domestic Abuse Act in protecting victims of domestic abuse including: -a case update on s70 DAA Strangulation and Suffocation (Serious Crime Act 2015 s75A) and coercive control (SCA s76) -update on new government measures and proposals to enhance prosecution Susan Edwards is a Professor of Law at Northumbria University, an Emeritus Professor at the University of Buckingham and former Dean of Law for several years. Read more: redlionchambers.co.uk/professor-susa… #16DaysOfActivism #16DaysOfActivism2024 #InternationalDayForTheEliminationOfViolenceAgainstWomen #NoExcuse

RLC are thrilled to support @CleanBrk Big Night Out on 9 December 2024 to help raise vital funds for the charity. The event promises an evening of music, comedy and variety show fun featuring acclaimed comedians, singers, and performers. Clean Break was founded by two women in prison who believed in the power of theatre to transform lives. The charity works with high-profile theatres to co-produce plays, including the National Theatre, Royal Court, Bush Theatre and Sheffield Theatres. The powerful platform of theatre allows the sharing of authentic stories caused by the criminal justice system and for audiences to reimagine ways of thinking about women and criminalization. Gillian Jones KC, RLC’s Co-Head of Chambers and Development Board Member for Clean Break commented: “Clean Break’s work is transformative, offering women who have been through the criminal justice system a path to gain confidence, learn skills, and find their community. Clean Break’s “Big Night Out” is not just an opportunity to enjoy an incredible night of entertainment but a chance to ensure that the charity can continue empowering women to rebuild their lives and thrive. Their work gives hope and opportunity to so many who deserve a second chance.” Clean Break’s Big Night Out: Date: 9 December 2024 Location: The Other Palace Theatre,12 Palace St, London SW1E 5JA What to Expect: Comedy, music, and an ‘unruly variety show’ featuring acts like Desiree Burch, Sophie Duker, Rachel Tucker, and more! VIP Experience: Hosted by Clean Break Patron Zawe Ashton, complete with drinks, canapes, and live music Every ticket purchased directly supports Clean Break’s life-changing work. Book your tickets here: cleanbreak.org.uk/events/big-nig…

"You work every weekend because you are so busy in court every day. You feel that if you don’t, you are letting down the person you are representing. You get very good at absorbing information quickly & compartmentalising. But it does take an emotional toll, especially the sexual offences cases.” RLC member Hannah Williams was interviewed for a feature in @thetimes Magazine to give her views on the Criminal Justice System and courts in crisis. She was interviewed alongside Mary Prior KC, Chair @TheCriminalBar, Jason Pitter KC @JasPitter, @Anna_Soubry, @daniellejmanson, Chloë Ashley @cehashley & Daniel Stevenson @barristerdaniel Read piece here: thetimes.com/uk/law/article… @RSylvesterTimes #CriminalJusticeSystem #TheTimesFeature #CourtsInCrisis

Sailesh Mehta appeared on @LBC to provide legal commentary following the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) landmark decision to issue arrest warrants in the Middle East conflict for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli military officer Yoav Gallant and Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif. The unprecedented development marks the first time a leader of a western-style democracy, such as Netanyahu, has faced such charges and is the most momentous decision in the ICC's 22-year history. Sailesh spoke about: -International Criminal Law and the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity -the Rome Statue, ICC's jurisdiction, reach and limitations -the legal reasoning behind the ICC charges -the potential implications for international law including the broader geopolitical consequences Listen from 09:47: globalplayer.com/catchup/lbc/uk… #ICC #MiddleEast #WarCrimes #InternationalLaw

Chambers has released the latest quarterly Serious Crime Bulletin (Issue 5: Nov 2024) detailing recently decided cases and news spanning serious crime cases including homicide, firearms, drug and sexual offences. The bulletin provides a snapshot of prominent decisions and news with implications for general crime practitioners. Sections include: -In the News -Identification -Joint Enterprise -Sentencing: Sexual Offending and Firearms -Evidence and Procedure: Murder -Legal Elements: Firearms -Detailed Analysis re: Encrochat Challenge: ECHR The Bulletin is produced by Michael Goodwin KC @MGoodwinKC, Jack Talbot, Anita Clifford and Alex Benn of RLC’s Serious Crime Practice Group. For over 70 years, Chambers has been at the forefront of defending and prosecuting some of the highest profile serious crime cases including murder and manslaughter, organised crime, sexual offences, drugs offences and serious violence. Learn more here: redlionchambers.co.uk/area/crime/ Please download here: redlionchambers.co.uk/serious-crime-… #SeriousCrimeBulletin

Claudia-Lauren Williams successful in The Court of Appeal on sentence Claudia-Lauren Williams represented an appellant at The Court of Appeal who had been convicted of numerous offences, including four counts of threats to kill, common assault and criminal damage. Leave to appeal on both conviction and sentence was granted by the Full Court following submissions. Appeal against conviction was subsequently dismissed, however the appeal against sentence was allowed and the sentence was reduced by the court from 28 months’ imprisonment to 18 months’ imprisonment. It was submitted that the sentence imposed was manifestly excessive as during sentencing appropriate weight had not been given to the Appellant’s good character, nor to his mental impairment and the impact of this upon his culpability. Claudia-Lauren Williams is instructed in all matters across all areas of General Crime. She has represented clients accused of serious offences at trial and acted in the early stages of proceedings relating to allegations of attempted murder, robbery, drug supply conspiracy and serious violent assaults. Read more: redlionchambers.co.uk/barrister/clau… #CourtOfAppeal