Recent news
COVID-19 and the operation of Chambers: important information for our clients and contacts
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we are taking various steps – to reduce risks to our clients, contacts, barristers and staff while ensuring the efficient operation of Chambers – as follows:
- Since 20.03.20 all barristers and staff are working from home.
- We will have full access to our system and emails will be dealt with as usual. Calls to Chambers will be forwarded to the relevant mobiles, but if – wherever possible – you could email rather than telephone us, it would greatly help us in maintaining the swift and effective service we would always want to give you.
- We understand that you may well want to have a conversation but if you email us first – if possible with brief details of your enquiry – we will call you back promptly. If you do not have the email address of the person you wish to communicate with, please use clerks@serjeantsinn.com.
- We will be liaising as necessary to arrange for conferences to be conducted by either telephone or video.
- We are also asking that material is provided digitally rather than in hard copy format. If you have to provide papers in hard copy please email us and we will be in touch to discuss a solution.
- Please bear in mind that due to mobile network issues, the phone may ring for a little longer than usual before it is answered, but we have a team of clerks ready to deal with your call. If you have any difficulties at all in contacting us please do call Catherine Calder, our joint CEO, on 07515 868 616. She will be happy to assist.
Members of Chambers have produced a number of blog posts and articles on issues arising from Coronavirus in our practice areas: these are available here.
In these unprecedented times our barristers are available as usual for remote access hearings, mediations, RTMs and meetings. As a result of the many emergency medical treatment applications which we have conducted by telephone with out-of-hours judges over numerous years, we are well placed to advise as to whether any particular hearing or other process should be conducted remotely, bearing in mind the interests of the client as well as other relevant factors in each case.
Our team have significant expertise with remote working by Skype, Skype for Business, Zoom, MS Teams, and Blue Jeans, and we would also be happy to discuss the practicalities and set up.
If you have any questions or concerns please do let us know by emailing our Joint Chief Executives, Martin Dyke and Catherine Calder, at ChiefExecutives@serjeantsinn.com
Full contact details are available on our website here.
We look forward to continuing our effective working relationship with you during the pandemic and wish you well in these testing times.
Edward Pleeth appears in Inquiry into the Manchester Arena Bombings
The public inquiry into the bombing at the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena on 22 May 2017 has now commenced and is due to last until mid 2021.
Edward Pleeth is instructed by the Government Legal Department as junior counsel for the Secretary of State for the Home Department and other government departments.
The Inquiry’s proceedings are being livestreamed from the Inquiry’s YouTube channel here.
Michael Walsh appointed as an Assistant Coroner for both Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire
We are pleased to announce that Michael Walsh has been appointed as an Assistant Coroner for both Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Michael also sits as an Assistant Coroner in West London, and assists in North London, meaning he has concurrent appointments in a total of four coronial jurisdictions.
As part of his role, Michael undertakes investigations into unnatural deaths, with a particular focus on deaths in prison and hospital involving mental health care; including jury and Article 2 inquests.
With over 20 years’ experience as a barrister, the additional appointment complements Michael’s existing coronial practice as an advocate experienced in deaths whilst in the care of the state and/or otherwise engaging Article 2 ECHR.
Michael specialises in healthcare law covering the areas of inquests and inquiries and clinical negligence; acting for bereaved families, NHS Trusts, ambulance services, private hospitals, care and nursing homes, and individual clinicians; and advising Interested Persons on obtaining and responding to Prevention from Future Death reports, drafting and implementing appropriate mental health policies, and in public law challenges.
Michael will carry out his part-time judicial role alongside his full-time practice as a barrister.
Rachel Spearing announced as a member of the independent Judicial Panel for British Horseracing Authority
Rachel was appointed after an open and competitive process judged against published criteria.
The appointed chairs and members, from diverse racing backgrounds, will commence their duties from 1 September 2020 and are contracted on a three-year basis.
To read more about Rachel’s appointment please click here
John Beggs QC and James Berry appear in Court of Appeal police firearms case
Between 7 – 9 July 2020 the Court of Appeal heard the appeal of the Independent Office of Police Conduct (IOPC) against the Divisional Court’s decision in R (W80) v IOPC [2019] EWHC 2215 (Admin). The case arose out of the fatal police shooting of Jermaine Baker in 2015 and an IOPC investigation into the conduct of W80, who fired the fatal shot.
The Divisional Court found that the criminal test for self defence applies where a police officer’s use of force is being considered in misconduct proceedings. The IOPC contend that the Divisional Court was wrong, and that the civil test for self defence applies.
John and James were instructed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council as an Intervenor in the Court of Appeal. Judgment is awaited.
Alex dos Santos interviewed on Sky News: the Court of Appeals decision regarding Shemima Begum
Alex dos Santos was interviewed on both Sky News and LBC news yesterday, for a legal view on the decision made by the Court of Appeal that Shemima Begum should be allowed to enter the UK in order to pursue her appeal against the decision to revoke her British nationality. The Court of Appeal held that fairness and Justice on the facts of this case outweigh national security concerns.
Angus Moon QC and Cecily White appear in Supreme Court case concerning doctrine of illegality
During the lockdown Angus Moon QC and Cecily White appeared before 7 justices of the Supreme Court in a remote hearing in the case of Henderson -v- Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust. The case involved the claim by Ms Henderson for damages following her killing of her mother and raised the important issue of the role of the doctrine of illegality in the law of tort. Judgment was reserved.
A recording of Angus’ submissions is to be found on the Supreme Court website.
Chambers blogs
Social Responsibility
Serjeants’ Inn is committed to pro bono work and provides financial and practical support to Friends in Law and First 100 Years: read more
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Serjeants’ Inn specialises in important, high profile medical, police, regulatory, criminal and public law cases, often involving political, ethical or social issues: read more
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Awards
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
WINNER
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
Christopher Johnston QC
Outstanding Contribution to Diversity & Inclusion Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Professional Discipline Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Gerry Boyle QC
Professional Discipline Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
David Morris
Professional Discipline Junior of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Elliot Gold
Leader of the future, Diversity & Inclusion
SHORTLISTED
Professional Discipline Silk of the Year
John Beggs QC
Chambers Innovation
WINNER
Chambers of the Year
WINNER
Award for Customer Focus
WINNER
Chambers of the Year
WINNER
Katie Gollop QC
Barrister of the Year
WINNER
Client Care Initiative of the Year
HIGHLY ACCLAIMED
Certificate of Recognition for Excellence in Well-being
HIGHLY ACCLAIMED
Michael Mylonas QC
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Angus Moon QC
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Professional Discipline Junior of the Year
ANTHONY HAYCROFT
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Angus Moon QC
Clinical Negligence Silk of the Year
SHORTLISTED
Client Management Innovation
FINALIST
Chambers of the Year
WINNER
Litigation Team of the Year
FINALIST
Set of the Year
WINNER
Clinical Negligence Set of the Year
WINNER
Bridget Dolan
WINNER
Set of the Year
WINNER
2015
Set of the Year
WINNER
The Lawyer Awards 2015
Bronze place
GERRY BOYLE
2015
Client Service
HIGHLY ACCLAIMED
Bronze place
SET OF THE YEAR
2016
JOHN BEGGS QC
2016
Set of the Year
HIGHLY ACCLAIMED
2016
Rising Star
CECILY WHITE
Professional Discipline Junior of the Year
ANDREW HOCKTON
Best Strategic Resource
2015
FINALIST
Professional Discipline Finalist
ANTHONY HAYCROFT
Best Service Innovation
FINALIST
2016
BRIDGET DOLAN QC
Professional Discipline Set of the Year
WINNER
Finalist
JOHN BEGGS QC