Announcements
Anthony Berry KC - 02.10.24
Anthony Berry K.C. died on 1st October, following an illness which, uncharacteristically, he was unable to defeat.
Anthony was an early Secretary of the CBA. He fought tenaciously for the interests of the Association’s members and placed it firmly in the public eye. He led the struggle for better recompense for the criminal bar and gave no quarter to those he had to negotiate with, arguing the case with tenacity and in the face of political and official obduracy.
He joined John Hazan’s chambers at 4 Brick Court at an early stage of his career, rapidly forging a successful practice as a junior and taking silk at an early age and making homicide a speciality. In 2000, upon the appointment of Anne Rafferty to the High Court Bench, he became head of chambers and oversaw the move to premises at 9 Bedford Row. He held that position for an unparalleled 16 years, taking chambers to a prominent position as a criminal set and securing the respect and affection of its members.
He was honoured to be elected a Bencher of Gray’s, a mark of his loyalty to the Inn.
He will be remembered widely for the amplitude of his character, his characteristic humour, his gift of impeccable mimicry, his unfailing recognition of the absurd and the laughter that he brought into people’s lives in robing rooms and messes across the country.
Privately, he was devoted to his wife Susan, their four children and his grandchildren. They have suffered a devastating loss.
Jason Dunn-Shaw - 01.10.21
There will be a memorial for Jason Dunn-Shaw in the Old Court Room at Lincoln’s Inn at 5.30 on Thursday 14th October 2021.
If you would like to attend please email Pete Ratliff (peter.ratliff@6kbw.com).
Matthew Jewell QC - 03.09.21
A reminder that there will be a memorial service for Matthew Jewell QC on Friday 17th September in The Great Hall, Winchester, to which all are invited. Doors will open just before 5pm, with tributes to Matthew’s life and career commencing at 5.15pm, followed by a drinks reception finishing at 7.30pm.
May I please now invite those who would like to attend to let me know, please, via email at cfeest@westerncircuit.co.uk , so that I will have numbers for catering and organisation purposes. Thank you
HHJ Stuart Bridge Memorial - 1st October 2021 - 23.08.21
I am writing to let you know that there will be a memorial service for Stuart Bridge in Cambridge at 3pm on Friday 1st October 2021. Everyone who would like to attend in person is most welcome, and there will be space for everybody. However, in order to manage space it would be very helpful to have an approximate idea of numbers. I would be grateful if you could reply to directorate@botanic.cam.ac.uk by 31st August indicating whether you intend to come. No doubt some plans will change in the intervening month, but an approximate idea of numbers will allow me to finalise the venue and I will then provide that detail to you.
Legal Aid Census 2021 - 29.04.21
Full details and to take part here
Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid - 25.04.21
If you have an interest in Criminal Legal Aid please take some time to respond to the call for evidence that has been launched by the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid. This is your opportunity, as individual practitioners to make the points you feel need to be made to the panel. We cannot complain that no one listens to us if we don't speak up. Your answers can be as detailed or as concise as you wish but please respond.
This part of the consultation ends on 7th May 2021 so do it as soon as you can.
The link to the document is here
Matthew Jewell QC - 19.04.21
Covid rules prevent all but Matthew's closest family and friends from attending in person - by direct invitation only. Matthew's funeral will be on the 23rd April 2021 at 12.15pm at the Test Valley Crematorium. There will be private flowers only and no donations.
Jason Dunn-Shaw
The funeral of Jason Dunn-Shaw will take place at 1pm on Friday 16th April at Thanet Crematorium. Due to limited availability of seats attendance in person is by invitation only.
Matthew Jewell QC - 08.04.21
The members and staff of Drystone chambers regret to announce that Matthew Jewell QC, our colleague and friend, died suddenly on Saturday 3rd April: he was just 54 years old. Matthew had been a member of One Paper Buildings/Drystone since pupillage and was a much loved and respected member of the Bar. As a Junior he worked primarily on the Western Circuit but was happy to travel, appearing regularly on the South Eastern Circuit after taking Silk. We are shocked and deeply saddened by his death: our thoughts are with his family.
Register for a Common Platform Account - March 2021
Common Platform is a new, criminal case management system for use by HMCTS staff, the judiciary, and professional court users - including defence professionals and the Crown Prosecution Service. You may already be aware that it is now rolling out to a series of ‘early adopter’ courts in the South East and you will need to register.
Guidance on Mask Wearing at Court has changed - updated 15.01.21
From now on, judges and magistrates should strongly encourage the wearing of masks/face coverings by everyone in the courtroom except for the judge/ presiding magistrate, the advocate who is speaking and the witness giving evidence. Jurors should be strongly encouraged to wear masks/face coverings in their retiring room.
Senior Presiding Judge & Deputy Senior Presiding Judge