(Intermediate)
Theme: Criminal litigation
15 December 2017, 9.30am registration (9.45am start) – 1.00pm (followed by lunch) Freeths, Nottingham
VCE NOT AVAILABLE
Presented by Weightmans
Course overview
Suitable audience:
Lawyers in local government or EHOs whose role includes handling potential criminal offences
Overview:
Interactive and practical workshop for advocacy and case preparation skills.
Delegates will be guided through a number of difficult issues that can arise when prosecuting regulatory matters in the Magistrates’ Court and will be updated on recent changes in the relevant procedures, guidance and case law. We will also cover the use of social media evidence Delegates will then be given the opportunity to practise their skills by prosecuting a fictitious case before a mock Magistrates’ Court bench.
Topics to be covered include:
Magistrates Court procedures, application of sentencing guidelines, disclosure, bad character, ancillary orders.
Interactive elements
Workshop
Duration: Half a day (3 training hours) including lunch
Competencies
This course will cover:
A Ethics professionalism and judgement
B5 Advocacy
C1 Communicate clearly and effectively
Presenter profiles:
Chris Green, Weightmans is the lead partner of Weightmans Regulatory Services Unit across the Midlands. He is a former local authority prosecutor having trained and qualified with Birmingham City Council in 1995. Chris became a partner in 2004 and joined Weightmans in 2006. Chris now advises and represents both public bodies and companies in relation to health and safety, fire safety, food hygiene and environmental investigations/prosecutions.
Chris provides advice and assistance in relation to accident investigation in the immediate aftermath of an adverse event; representation at PACE interviews; support and guidance throughout court proceedings; and a 24 hour emergency response service in critical situations where immediate assistance is required.
Chris Green is described by Chambers and Partners Legal Directory 2015 as “highly respected way beyond the circle of expert health and safety lawyers.”
Tom Boulton joined Weightmans’ Regulatory Services Unit in May 2016. Tom is a determined litigator with a proven track record in regulatory matters including Health and Safety, Fraud, Environmental and Food Safety. Tom qualified as a Solicitor in 2013 and since 2012 he has specialised in regulatory law, advising and prosecuting on behalf of the Health and Safety Executive. He is an effective prosecutor, recognised for his attention to detail and thorough preparation. Tom also tenaciously defends clients who find themselves under investigation. He is currently advising a construction contractor in relation to a serious accident involving one of its workers following a wall collapse and he is also representing a local authority on the prosecution it is bringing in relation to a death in a care home.
He has been involved in many high profile prosecutions for HSE involving fatalities and covering a host of industries. Tom has gained excellent experience prosecuting on behalf of various Local Authorities in food safety, benefit frauds, housing and environmental matters.
James Muller joined Weightmans’ Regulatory Services Unit in 2015, having previously worked at No5 Chambers, where he spent 2 years working with a top regulatory barrister on the prosecution and defence of Health and Safety, Fire Safety and other regulatory cases. He provides legal assistance and advice on a range of regulatory legal issues and has experience of prosecuting cases on behalf of regulators, as well as providing advice and assistance to businesses in the immediate aftermath of serious and fatal accidents.
James has an interest in motor traffic offences and has a particular knowledge of criminal and courts procedure, litigation process and trial preparation. He recently represented a local authority on the prosecution it brought in relation to a death in a care home which resulted in a £1.5m fine for the care home operator.