Benefits of a conference
Recently I represented a client at the Maidstone Magistrates’ Court. He had accrued 12 points on his license and was expecting to be disqualified. To the lay person, there seemed little chance of a successful outcome. We had a long conference, during which I discovered that material existed which allowed…
The importance of a conference (Limited disclosure of prosecution evidence and an unwillingness by the courts to agree to an adjournment)
Why is a conference necessary before attending court? I attended the Milton Keynes Magistrates’ Court at a first appearance on a drink/drive case. The prosecution disclosure of evidence was minimal, and the court refused to grant an adjournment for me to properly consider the evidence. This situation has been created…
Totality Principle
There is a legal concept called the ‘Totality Principle’ that works in favour of a defendant when a number of matters are heard at the same time; he or she will receive a lesser overall sentence. Dealing with offences in a piece-meal manner will do the client no favours. I…
Defence Costs
On 1 October 2012, the Government will limit the recovery of defence costs to the legal aid rates. Which means, when the CPS pursue a worthless prosecution and a privately paying defendant obtains an acquittal, he or she can only recover from the Government what the lawyer would have been…
Creative lawyers come out of the closet
Emotionally and psychologically, it has been a harrowing time — I have risked rejection and ridicule from my peers; disclosure could have destroyed my career prospects. But I am through with pretence : I am a right brain thinker, creative and intuitive; I think outside the box, and I even…
Avoiding Disqualification
My footballer client fully expected to be disqualified at the Magistrates’ court last Thursday. He had nine points on his licence and collected a further five for a speeding offence. Normally he would have been disqualified for a minimum of six months and receive a hefty fine. Fortunately, he had…
Fines Increase
Outlined in a Department for Transport consultation document, motorists caught offending face an increase in penalties from £60 to £90. These fine are directed toward drivers who occupy outer lanes when the inside lane of a carriageway is empty, and pushing into an orderly queue of traffic. From my personal…
Drink Drivers Beware
I have just been informed that a conviction for drink driving will disqualify you form obtaining a visa to the USA. A family holiday was ruined because a family member received a conviction for drink/driving (excess alcohol) and the US Embassy refused to grant a visa because of the conviction!
Road Traffic
Andrew has in-depth knowledge of road traffic law having recently been commissioned to write a book on the subject. In recent years, he has developed a niche practice representing company directors and professional footballers, to name but a few. Road traffic law can be complicated; defences are not well publicised….
Regulatory Law
As an advocate of nearly 20 years’ experience, Andrew is qualified to appear before regulatory tribunals and panels. These hearings can mean that your livelihood is at stake. Some people choose to represent themselves, and consequently fail to advance the arguments best suited to their case. It is not wise…