Michael edits the Red Lion Chambers “Serious Crime Bulletin”- a quarterly brief of 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 lawyers.
The most recent bullet includes reference to the following cases:
Murder and loss of control
Drake [2023] EWCA Crim 1454
Headline: The court reviewed the guidance on when a trial judge in a murder trial should put the partial defence of loss of control to a jury, and noted the importance of the non-exhaustive list of relevant factors set out in R. v Goodwin (Anthony Gerard) [2018] EWCA Crim 2287, [2018] 4 W.L.R. 165, [2018] 10 WLUK 120.
Rape and allegations of jury racial bias
Headline: the curtain shrouding jury deliberations was brushed back for a brief moment. The Court of Appeal had to consider the proper approach when allegations of racial bias were made against members of the jury. After the decision, much will turn on the specificity of the allegations.
Mandatory minimum sentences for firearms and exceptional circumstances
Headline: A five-year mandatory minimum sentence for possessing a prohibited firearm was quashed when the appellant’s previously unknown pregnancy came to light. Two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two years substituted.
Forms of privilege
Karam Salah al Din Awni al Sadeq v Dechert LLP and Ors [2024] EWCA Civ 28
Headline: The Court of Appeal has given fresh guidance in relation to LPP: the scope of both legal advice privilege and litigation privilege and the ‘iniquity exception’.
The Bulletin is produced by Michael Goodwin KC, Jack Talbot, Anita Clifford and Alex Benn.
Please download recent editions here: