The latest statistics (2020-2021):barristers specialising in criminal law has declined by 10%. In one year.This acceleration of barristers leaving criminal law will continue.Unless there is a substantial immediate uplift in fees. Action of no returns starts today. #action4justice No returns means that barristers no longer will accept work returned to them by a barrister who is unable to act in the case because- for example-barrister’s other trial has overrun(sick juror/witness etc) & so a clash resulted.Why did 94% of @TheCriminalBar vote for this action?

I represented an 18 yr old who was issued a “superfine” of £10 K.
Alleged breach of the Regs was on 2 May 2021. He had some mates around his house on a weekend night when his parents were away. More came than invited. Police called. They thought there were 30-40 indoors Thread

https://twitter.com/telegraph/status/1481742852707303427

& outside.Regs: prohibition on organising gathering of more than 30 indoors. 18 yo v. remorseful. He was starting a career which might have closed to him if he hadn’t paid the FPN, then been taken to magistrates court & convicted (no appeal process)Neither he nor family had £10k.

Shameful speech @pritipatel A reminder⬇️

"The Home Office described lawyers representing asylum seekers as “activist”. The intention is inflammatory, but it is also depressingly ignorant. 1/3
thetimes.co.uk/article/kirsty… The lawyers in the Spain case applied the law and succeeded at court. They are competent.Pulling back the curtain to the Home Office noise reveals an incompetent and unfair system. It inadequately screens people seeking asylum ..2/3

Thread Will update blog . Summary of Durham police conclusion is that Dominic Cummings broke the law when he drove to/from Barnard Castle. It’s a confusingly worded statement but they are clear that if he had been stopped on that journey the officer would likely have advised 1/3 him to go back to address in Durham & not moved to enforcement if advice accepted.There is no power of enforcement unless there is a breach of the Regs so it is clear there was a breach. And it’s right that enforcement is a last resort. Durham also found no breach of Regs 2/3

Thread: #cummings talks about “rules”. There is law & guidance. The law, at that time, prohibited leaving the place where you live without reasonable excuse. (Reg 6(1)) Nothing in law on “exceptional circumstances” with children 1/6 The govt guidance says “stay at home” if you have COVID-19 symptoms. A section on “following advice to best of your ability” if you have children applies to detail of what you do whilst in home as is apparent from “we are aware that not all these measures will be possible.” 2/6

THREAD: A humble attempt to explain why I say there was no power to arrest or charge or prosecute or convict Ms. Dinou under Schedule 21 para 23(1)(a) and (2) of the Coronavirus Act 2020.
1. details of the charge: "you failed to provide BTP officers with your identity or reasons for your journey; you failed to comply with a requirement imposed under Sch 21
2. "Schedule 21 contains powers relating to "potentially infectious persons" i.e. person who is or may be infected/ contaminated with coronavirus or has been in an infected area 14 days before