COURT AVAILABILITY– I can assist with cases between Christmas and New Year and into January. See here for detail: http://www.freelanceadvocacyservices.uk/. Book via gregfoxsmith@msn.com
News
Christmas Appeal The mentoring charity “Bridging the Gap” has a Christmas appeal to support those who are sleeping rough- please make a small contribution if you can. https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sleepingrough. Thank you
Government to review criminal legal aid https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/practice/government-embarks-on-wider-criminal-legal-aid-review/5068636.article
And the costs of legal aid cuts generally https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46357169
Hats off to Len Hodkin (GT Stewart) who with courage and fortitude represented the family at the inquest hearing, which followed the tragic murder of his Mum Sally in a random attack by someone suffering from severe mental illness who should have been securely detained. The Inquest was reported here. Len’s earlier blog is here. Len and family set up the charity http://www.hundredfamilies.org/ which supports victim’s families in homicide trials by providing practical support, information, and advocacy services throughout Britain for families who have lost loved ones as a result of killings by people with mental illness.
Job Opportunity. One of the best criminal law firms that I have worked with are currently seeking a new solicitor and paralegal, They don’t advertise, but recruit by word of mouth- let me know if you are interested.
Congratulations to Needham
Poulier on their 20 year anniversary this month, and to Mark Cotter QC on getting married 
Naughty Court usher up North https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6465731/Court-usher-46-suspended-having-sex-video-link-room.html
And naughty police with naughty solicitor in Wales https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6511443/Detective-caught-having-loud-sex-married-female-lawyer-police-station-KEEPS-job.html
Medieval Animal Trial, Leeds. Delighted to have taken part in the Compass Festival in Leeds last month. My blog here
LCCSA 70. watch the film here https://youtu.be/oXvz9nVVA7A
LCCSA 50 Happy significant birthday to LCCSA President Jon Black. Jon had a birthday appeal for charity All People All Places- read more about that here, and help him reach £1000 (he is only a few quid short)
Breakfast Court Victory. HMCTS have confirmed the proposed projects for “flexible” (aka extended) court sitting hours for criminal courts have finally been abandoned (detail here)
Christmas playlist here
Lawyers of the Month
1 Len Hodkin (see Inquest story above)
2 Miranda Ching (co-organised Animal Trials -see above) Miranda is leaving Peters and Peters for the Serious fraud Office. Good luck!
HAPPY CHRISTMAS!!