Garden Court North Chambers
Garden Court North Chambers
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Now online, free to view: GCN Webinar – The right to a fair trial in the age of the Coronavirus

24 April 2020

On 16 March 2020 Justice Minister Chris Philip announced that Courts would continue to operate normally despite the pandemic. On 17 March Lord Chief Justice Burnett echoed much of the legal profession when he said that it was not realistic to suppose that it will be business as usual in any jurisdiction. The subsequent days and weeks have proved him right.

The announcement ending jury trials on 23 March 2020 ushered in a brave new world of hearings via Skype and associated legal powers under the Coronavirus Act 2020.

But where does all this leave defendants and their right to a fair trial? Can their rights really be upheld via video link? Where are we heading and what are the pitfalls? Are there any positive practices we can salvage from this time of crisis?

Please enjoy our webinar discussion of these fundamental questions and the future of the right to a fair trial in these troubled times, presented by our barristers Clare Ashcroft and Richard Brigden, and pupil barristers Christian Weaver and Mira Hammad.

News

Garden Court North’s Ciara Bartlam represented Imani’s family during the four-day inquest at West London Coroner’s Court (pictured). Credit: Tom Hisgett / Creative Commons.

News

Coroner identifies failings by community mental health and crisis teams which possibly contributed to the death of Imani Rigg

Garden Court North's Ciara Bartlam represented Imani Rigg's family during the four-day inquest at West London Coroner's Court.

Garden Court North's Alexander McColl and Pragnya Iovine represented the defendants at Manchester Magistrates' Court. Credit: Garden Court North.

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Alexander McColl and Pragnya Iovine secure one acquittal and two conditional discharges in ‘lock on’ trial

Garden Court North's Alexander McColl and pupil Pragnya Iovine defended their clients in a week-long trial at Manchester Magistrates’ Court.

Garden Court North’s Anna Morris KC represented the family of Adrian Daulby during the pre-inquest review hearing at Manchester Coroner’s Court. Credit: Alex Blair / Garden Court North Chambers.

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Pre-inquest review hearing begins into Manchester synagogue attack

Garden Court North’s Anna Morris KC represented Adrian Daulby's family during the pre-inquest review hearing at Manchester Coroner’s Court.

Garden Court North's Pete Weatherby KC and Mira Hammad argue for jury equity and the power of jurors to act on their conscience. Credit: Jason Doiy / Shutterstock.

News

Conscience Acquittals: A Constitutional Backstop

Garden Court North's Pete Weatherby KC and Mira Hammad argue for jury equity and the power of jurors to act on their conscience.