12CP Barristers

Ned Sillett secured acquittals in two defence trials

Ned Sillett has secured acquittals in both his Defence trials over the last two weeks.

In the first, Ned’s client was charged with Assault Occasioning Actual Bodily Harm and Possession of a Bladed Article in a Public Place. Ned’s client had confessed to having a knife, which went before the jury. Ned was able to persuade the jury that the confession was unreliable. The jury unanimously returned two not guilty verdicts. Ned was instructed by Renshaw Derrick solicitors.

In the second, Ned’s client was charged with a joint enterprise Affray during which someone was stabbed. The incident was captured on CCTV. After the close of the Prosecution case, Ned drafted a detailed submission of no case to answer. After reading that written submission, the Prosecution re-opened its case and offered no evidence against Ned’s client. The jury were directed to return a not guilty verdict. Ned was instructed by Waters Moore solicitors.

12CP and University of Southampton Law School Collaborate Again

Six outstanding students were selected by the Law School to attend Winchester Crown Court with Ethu Crorie. As part of 12CP’s Outreach Programme, using our connections with the University, and thanks to the assistance of the judges and staff at Winchester Crown Court, the students were able to observe hearings and to spend time talking to HHJ Feest KC and HHJ Bromige about their roles.

Six Tips to Get You Through Second-Six, by Catherine Lickley

Second six is exciting but daunting at the same time. You’ve spent six months shadowing your supervisors, and then you are effectively left to your own devices. It’s an odd transition, but here are some tips that have helped me to make the transition as easy as possible.

The Ever-Decreasing Circles: Trading Standards Prosecutions, by Edward Elton

Which? reported this week that one fifth of Trading Standards teams recorded no criminal prosecutions in the 2023-2024 financial year.