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

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: 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