9-12 Bell Yard presented 9-12 Bell Yard at its Annual reception on board HMS Belfast - 9th July 2009
A summer's evening spent catching up with professional clients and colleagues was enjoyed by all.
"Local Authority Investigations and Disclosure: An Overview" - 15th June
Philip Katz QC introduced this Seminar for solicitors and officers of a London local authority. William Hughes started the session by giving a useful introduction to disclosure and was followed by presentations on protecting sources, noise abatement, the Education Act, food and safety, housing benefit and council tax benefit.
“The speakers were thorough in their presentation making very clearly the importance of officers to take a methodical approach and to disclose/provide relevant info to our own solicitors.”
“Information given was clear and concise.”
“Excellent”
"More of these courses please."
"Money Laundering and the Proceeds of Serious Crime Seminar" - 20th May 2009
Introduced by Philip Katz QC this highly informative and practical Seminar guided the delegates through the complexity of the law relating to the proceeds of serious crime and money laundering. Presentations included “Indicting Professionals”, “Piercing the Corporate Veil in Confiscation Proceedings” and “Preserving Assets from Organised Criminals.” Those who attended commented that the Seminar was “..most useful to daily work. Very informative and well presented.” Many complimented the speakers on their well prepared and researched presentations and found them “..very knowledgeable and entertaining. They made a real effort to make their speeches relevant to their audience.” This Seminar will be repeated in the Autumn.
"Question Time – Crisis in the Criminal Justice System?" - 12th March 2009
Philip Katz QC, presided over a lively and informative discussion on 12th March at Pelham House in Lewes. Topics ranged from Police cautions and prisons to the fundamental way in which laws are drafted in Parliament.
The audience heard from an eminent panel consisting of
Lord Alex Carlile QC (Government Advisor on Terrorism),
Sir Ivan Lawrence QC, Stephen Hockman QC, Robin Merrett (Assistant Chief Constable of Sussex),
Mrs Sarah Jane Gallagher, (Chief Crown Prosecutor for Sussex) and Dr Richard Vogler (Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Sussex.)
What people said about the event....
“Very enjoyable and enlightening.” Colin French
“Enormously informative and stimulating. Very worthwhile.” Meg Stroude, East Sussex County Council
“How knowledgeable and effective were the speakers? – Excellent.” Malcolm Butler, Malcolm Butler & Co
“How well did the course meet the intended learning outcomes? – Excellent.” Nootash Keyhani, University of Sussex
“What was your overall rating of the course? – Excellent.”
Amy Packham, Crown Prosecution Service, Sussex
“Based upon your overall impression of the course provider, would you attend other courses provided by the same organisation. – Yes.” Fergus Blair, Brighton College
Speakers from Left to Right
Assistant Chief Constable Robin Merrett
Chair: Philip Katz QC
Lord Alex Carlile of Berriew QC (Liberal Democrats)
Jason Sugarman – words of thanks to panel
Sir Ivan Lawrence QC (Conservative)
Mrs. Sarah Jane Gallagher - Chief Crown Prosecutor for Sussex & Chair of the Sussex Criminal Justice Board
Stephen Hockman QC (Labour)
Dr. Richard Vogler Senior Lecturer in Law at
the University of Sussex
Top QC chairs Lewes debate about justice
Published Date: 27 March 2009
By Subbed
THE QC who prosecuted wife murderer David Chenery-Wickens chaired a Question Time-style criminal justice debate at Pelham House, Lewes.
Philip Katz was joined by top London lawyers at the event called, Crisis in the Criminal Justice System?
Joining Lord Carlile of Berriew QC, Government Advisor on Terrorism, were Sir Ivan Lawrence QC, Stephen Hockman QC, Mrs Sarah Jane Gallagher, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Sussex, Robin Merrett, Assistant Chief Constable of Sussex Police and Dr Richard Vogler, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Sussex. The chairman was Philip Katz QC, who recently prosecuted in the trial of Chenery-Wickens at Lewes Crown Court.
The panel discussed a wide range of questions from the audience of more than 100 people during the two-hour event ranging the use of police cautions to the fundamental way in which laws are drafted in Parliament.
While there was lively debate on most topics the panel agreed that Parliament was turning out a great amount of legislation that was proving difficult for legal practitioners to implement.
Commenting after the event Sir Ivan Lawrence, former chairman of the House of Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, dealing with law and order, said: 'Parliament is churning out bad criminal justice laws. There needs to be more practicing lawyers in Parliament to vet criminal justice legislation.'
Thanking the panel after the event, Jason Sugarman added: 'I am delighted that my Chambers hosted this prestigious event in Lewes, where I have prosecuted and defended many cases at the Crown Court.”'
Published in the: Mid Sussex Times, Sussex Express,
Hastings Observer