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…
Private Crime
Government funding for criminal legal aid has been slashed relentlessly over the past decade. If you have to appear before the criminal courts, and have an income or access to funds, paying privately for a decent service may well mean the difference between being found guilty and being acquitted. The…
Teaching Role
Andrew is a natural teacher who engages his audience, and teaches by collaborating with his students. Andrew views teaching as an exchange; gone are the old didactic methods with students as passive receivers of information. Andrew specialises in Advanced Fact Management Training. Lawyers customarily think and communicate with the left…
Businesses cannot rely on Atkinson v DPP
Business cannot rely on the liberal interpretation in Atkinson v DPP (duty to give information). The High Court excluded business because of the implied duty to keep records. Ensure records are properly maintained in the event of a road traffic offence being committed. Aktinson v DPP