Criminal barristers are now permitted to undertake ‘Public Access’ work.  This represents a major change in the way barristers work.  In simple terms, a client can approach a barrister directly (without going through a solicitor or other professional intermediary).

The potential benefits are obvious:  substantial savings on legal fees; direct contact with a barrister; the removal of unnecessary barriers to legal advice, drafting and advocacy.

Many members of Chambers are qualified to undertake Public Access work – you can search for them under “Other” and make the “Public Access” selection.

The Independant Schools Inspectorate identified six cases of alleged abuse by monks and teachers at St Benedict’s School in Ealing, West London, and Ealing Abbey Benedictine monastery, to which it is linked.

Lord Carlile has been asked by the abbey to conduct a wideranging inquiry into “past mistakes”. To read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10889565

The four month trial resulted in Lyons being convicted of one count of rape and one of assault by penetration. In addition to the term of imprisonment he was placed on the sexual offenders register for life and made the subject of a sexual offences prevention order which stops him from touching (in connection with treatment) any female he has known for less than six months.

Philip Katz QC had told the jury that Lyons “… was a sexual predator masquerading as a guru and healer” and that for many years he had “…been at the centre of a group of followers, overwhelmingly women, some of whom had been part of his circle for many years.” The prosecution alleged that the group was operating as a kind of cult. The victims of the offences were women who were introduced to Lyons by women friends, and who had been reassured by the presence of the many other women around him.

To read more: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10770395

Or : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/7911698/Michael-Lyons-may-have-raped-dozens-more-women.html

Clare, Alex, Elizabeth, Ruth and Tina ran the Race for Life in Finsbury Park this morning (Sunday 26th July). Elizabeth and Ruth came in in under 30 minutes, Clare and Alex (in training for their October half marathon!) came in very close behind and Tina made it in just over 35 minutes. So far the Belles have raised over £750 for Cancer Research. Please help them hit the £1,000 by going to www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/9-12bellyard. Thank you!!

The Belles also made it onto the Heart FM website gallery http://www.heart.co.uk/london/local/race-for-life/finsbury-5k/23/#gallery

Following a five week trial at Southwark Crown Court AA and MP  were convicted on various counts of money laundering. These convictions concluded a three and a half year investigation by RCPO and officers of HMRC into the use of money service businesses [MSB’s]operating throughout the UK to launder criminal proceeds, predominantly derived from drug dealing. AA used and set up MSB’s specifically for the purpose of channelling criminal proceeds through accounts controlled by him and for onward transmission to foreign jurisdictions including Hong Kong, Dubai and China. AA, as the prime mover and main organiser, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, MP to four. This brought to eight the total number of those successfully prosecuted in this and related operations. Five officers of HMRC were commended by the judge for their involvement in this investigation. Confiscation proceedings are to follow.

Michael Birnbaum QC and Stuart Biggs have obtained leave to argue the appeals of four men convicted of murder in Jamaica. There are a number of grounds of appeal; but the two main points relate to the inconsistency of the evidence and the directions the trial judge gave to the jury on the issue of  mistaken identity. Michael and Stuart will argue on the oral hearing that the approach of the Court of Appeal of Jamaica in upholding the judge’s directions threatens to undermine the protections against mistaken identity established by the well known case of Turnball and a number of later cases, including some decisions of the Privy Council.

For the second time in 18 months Michael Birnbaum QC and Neil Griffin have successfully defended a man accused of murder. Standing trial at the Old Bailey, KS was alleged to have attacked three men outside a pub in Ealing,  killing one with a heavy punch and a stamp to his head. He claimed that he had been acting in self defence. He admitted the punch but denied the stamp. The jury acquitted not only of murder but also the manslaughter and of assault on the other two alleged victims.

9-12 Bell Yard would like to congratulate Robin Spencer Q.C. on his appointment to the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court with effect from 14th July 2010.

On the 5th July 2010 Mr Justice Flaux made record confiscation orders totaling £184 million against Syed Ahmed and Shakeel Ahmad.  The Crown were represented by Jonathan Kinnear (led by Sir Derek Spencer QC), instructed by Carolyne Lamptey of the CPS, Proceeds of Crime Unit.

The orders were the culmination of an 8 year investigation into a multi-million pound MTIC carousel fraud. Ahmed and Ahmad had previously been convicted of Conspiracy to Cheat the Revenue and sentenced to seven years imprisonment.

……Alex Ward, Clare Huntley, Elizabeth Smaller and Tina Davey are donning their trainers and running the Race for Life (5km) at Finsbury Park on Sunday 25th July at 10.30am. Target time 30 minutes!! Will they do it?

Please show your support by posting on here and visiting their donation page (all proceeds to Cancer Research UK) at http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/9-12bellyard