I did exactly and I mean exactly the same yesterday at Maidenhead. Not perfect but got us through at a difficult time and I will claim as an attendance.

Tony Marshall

Solicitor

Alexander Johnson

Sent from my iPhone

On 27 Mar 2020, at 16:19, Debbie Hunt <dhunt@wiseman.co.uk> wrote:



I had an own client at Wood Green Police station this morning arrested for domestic common assault and breach restraining order.

I explained to the client on the phone  that neither myself or a colleague were prepared to attend him face to face in the present circumstances for obvious reasons  but that I was more than happy to advise and assist him over the phone/video.   I advised that if he wanted a solicitor in person there was nothing to stop him seeking advice elsewhere.   He said he was happy to deal with it over phone/video.

I then explained the position to the OIC who asked me what I was proposing.  I requested the custody record to be emailed to me and disclosure over the phone/email.  I requested that the interview be done through a video link of some sort.  The custody record was emailed to me within about 5 minutes and the OIC gave me verbal disclosure.  The OIC said there was “no facility” to conduct an  interview on phone or video link.  I challenged this but she said  that’s what she had been told by the custody officer whose name I made a note of I then spoke with the client over the phone  for 20 minutes  on a clear telephone line during which I gave legal advice and took his  instructions in just the same way as if I had been in the same room.   As a result of his instructions I advised we should proceed by way of a prepared statement and no comment interview.  Client agreed.  I then drafted a PS and spoke to the client again who approved it.    I then rang the OIC and emailed it to her with a request that it be read out in the interview and that I was on the end of a phone if client wanted further legal advice.    I  then had  a post interview consultation with the client who was happy with the way things had gone so far.   It all worked well with the cooperation of the OIC.  The only problem was that I was not in the actual interview – this could be solved easily with the goodwill of custody. 

I am now just waiting for a charge decision. 

Having spent nearly 2 ½ hours dealing with the phone consultations, statements, emails  etc with no  detriment to  my client  it would seem very “unjust” if we are denied a full fee for this work if we  can only claim for telephone advice.    So much for a  “Criminal Justice System “  ……

 

Debbie Hunt

Solicitor

Criminal Law Department

 

Covid-19

 

At Wiseman Lee LLP the health of our clients, staff and professional contacts is of paramount importance. In view of Government advice regarding social distancing  and non-essential travel please feel free to contact us either by telephone or email. We will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible – otherwise it is business as usual.

 

If you currently have an existing matter with us, rest assured that we are working on it, but please email or telephone us if you have any questions or concerns. As with most firms everyone at Wiseman Lee LLP will be working remotely and our people are available via telephone and email..

 

If you have an appointment booked with us we will contact you to arrange a telephone appointment if appropriate or offer you an alternative appointment in the future. To comply with the governments' policy on social distancing please do not come into our offices. Our reception areas are closed.

Wherever possible please send all communications on this matter electronically. This will help ensure there is no delay in us responding to you and that we can continue to work effectively with you.  Avoid post or DX wherever possible. Please telephone if you have any query concerning this.

We appreciate your understanding in these challenging times.

 

 

 

 

<image001.jpg>

 

<image002.jpg>

<image003.jpg>

---

Telephone              +44 (0) 208 215 1000   Address                   229 Hoe Street                                   Walthamstow                                   London E17 9PP
Website                  www.wiseman.co.uk

---

 

Wiseman Lee LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership registered in England and Wales with registration number OC333325 and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, firm number 486946. A list of members is available for inspection at the registered office 9-13 Cambridge Park Road, London E11 2PU. We use the word "partner" to refer to a member of the LLP or an employee or consultant with equivalent standing and qualifications.

The contents of this email are confidential to the intended recipient at the email address to which it has been addressed. It may not be disclosed to or used by anyone other than this addressee, nor may it be copied in any way. If received in error, please contact Wiseman Lee LLP on +44 (0)20 8215 1000 quoting the name of the sender and the addressee and then delete it from your system. Please note that neither Wiseman Lee LLP nor the sender accepts any responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan the email and attachments (if any). No contracts may be concluded on behalf of Wiseman Lee LLP by means of email communication.

 

Cyber Crime Alert
Emails can be scammed. Please do not rely on email notification of bank account changes without direct verbal confirmation from a trusted source.

 

 

---

To unsubscribe from the LCCSA Members eGroup click here.

To take a break from receiving emails from the LCCSA Members eGroup click here.

To resume receiving emails from the LCCSA Members eGroup click here.

---

To unsubscribe from the LCCSA Members eGroup click here.

To take a break from receiving emails from the LCCSA Members eGroup click here.

To resume receiving emails from the LCCSA Members eGroup click here.