Is Legal Aid a luxury?

There is a perception that lawyers are too expensive In view of Ken Clarke’s comments that we are the highest spending country in the world on legal aid, and the repeated spinning in the media how legal aid is spent on the undeserving, it is a shame we may forget why a lawyer is needed. … Continued

is justice a hurdle too far?

As the Olympics approach, what price justice? Jon Black, LCCSA Training Officer penned an ironic take on the Justice system for The Advocate. He may have struck a cord as the recently implemented ‘Stop Delaying Justice’ initiative attempts to urge us all not to ‘waste a moment’ in ensuring the criminal justice system sprints its way across … Continued

Acquittal in bones allotment murder trial

Jon Black helped our client secure an acquittal at the Old Bailey. BSB Partner Jon Black, led by Michael Magarian QC, secured the acquittal of their client SL after a retrial. The defendant was originally charged with Murder and preventing the unlawful burial of his ex partner whose remains were found in an allotment in Walthamstow some … Continued

Olympic Torch Bearer Alured Darlington

Alured Darlington proudly carried the Olmypic flame today through Enfield. Alured has devoted his life to fighting for justice one way or another, and so it was with great pride he carried the flame through Enfield.

Merger with Hanwell Chambers

From 14th July 2012, we will be known as ‘bsb solicitors incorporating Hanwell Chambers’ Hanwell Chambers are a niche practice run by Alured Darlington. We are excited to merge practices and his team will be strengthened by Ravinder Khumra, who will be based in West London, as we aim to offer our particular skills and expertise … Continued

Client acquitted

James Skelsey acted for a client recently acquitted and who faced allegations of riot following last summer disturbances. ALLEGED RIOTER ACQUITTED The client charged with five other defendants with an offence of violent disorder arising from the summer riots in the summer of 2010 has been acquitted.  The Crown’s case was that the police saw … Continued

LCCSA Training events

Jon Black, the LCCSA Training Officer has helped organise a topical seminar As the much vaunted ‘Stop Delaying Justice’ initiative kicks in, leaving some of us wondering at what price, Jon Black has recruited Bruce Reid to give a seminar for the LCCSA on 8th March. The proposal is aimed at reducing unnecessary delays, and thereby helping … Continued

ASBOS

By all means put out the finest china but don’t send the children upstairs before the guests arrive. London is on show this summer, like it has never been before, and The Capital wants the world to see it at its very best. On the eve of Euro 96 an operation was launched to bring … Continued

Supreme Court decision

The Supreme Court has recently handed down judgement in a case where we tried to challenge the basis upon which the Court approaches the calculation of jointly accused defendant’s benefit figures. The court decided that when dealing with co-defendants under a joint enterprise who are made the subject of a confiscation order under POCA, the … Continued

Cash Seizure lecture

Paul Butcher gave a lecture on Cash Seizure to LCCSA members, together with Adrian Eissa of 25 Bedford Row, who spoke on Civil Recovery Paul and Adrian gave what was regarded as an enthralling lecture on Cash Seizure and Civil Recovery to LCCSA members recently! Adrian, who is the co-author of the practitioners guide ‘Confiscation … Continued

Court of Appeal reject drug mules appeals

Despite the best efforts by Ed Fitzgerald QC and Alured Darlington The Court of Appeal refused appeals brought by persons adversely affected by recent Sentencing reforms. Alured’s letter to various professional bodies appears here. “I am very disappointed. This even applied to those who pleaded guilty.whose appeals were in time, and if they had  been  sentenced weeks, … Continued

Drug Mules left hanging?

Alured Darlington has set out a plea to the Government to see sense in its application of the Sentencing Guideline Councils’ proposals  Whatever differences of opinion there may be between Theresa May of the Home Office and Ken Clarke of the Ministry of Justice they should now be joining forces in correcting a situation which … Continued