News & Events
News & Events
The Supreme Court today refused permission to the government to appeal in the cases of McCloud and Sergeant relating to age discrimination in the judges and firefighters’ sector pension schemes. The Court of Appeal held in December 2018 that the age protection given to those within 10 years of retirement when public sector pensions were changed from a final salary to a career average basis, was discriminatory on the grounds of age and that the government had acted irrationally in offering it. This decision will have a major impact on the provision of pensions in the public sector. Andrew Short QC’s specialist practice centres on pensions, employment, and general commercial work. He has acted in many of the leading cases…
News 27 Jun, 2019
Paul Rogers appears on behalf of the Crown, as Respondent in a landmark interlocutory appeal hearing before the Supreme Court today and tomorrow (24th and 25th June 2019). The appeal centres on the definition and scope of the international crime of torture under the universal jurisdiction provisions of section 134 Criminal Justice Act 1988. The specific issue is what is the correct interpretation of the term ‘person acting in an official capacity’ in section 134(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988? In particular, does it include someone who acts otherwise than in a private and individual capacity for or on behalf of an organisation or body which exercises or purports to exercise the functions of government over the civilian population…
News 24 Jun, 2019
Naomi Ling has successfully defended an appeal in the EAT from a magistrate, who was removed from judicial office having made comments on BBC television that he believed that it was best for a baby to be adopted by a man and a woman. The magistrate, Richard Page, appealed on the basis that he had been victimised for making a complaint of discrimination on the ground of religion and belief, and that his removal was a breach of his A10 right to freedom of expression. Naomi acted for the Lord Chancellor and Lord Chief Justice, who removed him from office on the basis that as a judge who heard adoption approval applications, he had compromised his judicial impartiality. A link…
News 20 Jun, 2019
Lydia Seymour will be speaking at the UCL Pensions Law: Policy & Practice Conference on 20th June 2019 in London. The conference is being jointly organised by The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Slaughter and May, and the UCL Faculty of Laws and Lydia’s talk will explore: the background to the 2015 public sector pensions changes; the Court of Appeal’s decisions in the judges’ and firefighters’ age discrimination challenges, and the policy issues which arise. Please click here for further information about the conference. Lydia’s practice includes all aspects of ‘black letter’ pensions law, including: de-risking, rectification, withdrawal arrangements in multi-employer schemes and trustee duties. Her clients include the Pensions Regulator, employers, trustees, trade unions and individuals. To instruct Lydia, please…
News 18 Jun, 2019
We are delighted to announce that Claire van Overdijk has been shortlisted in the 2019/20 STEP Private Client Awards ‘Advocate of the Year’ category. Award winners will be announced at the black-tie dinner and awards ceremony, hosted by a celebrity speaker, on 25th September 2019 at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel, London, UK. Claire van Overdijk serves as Deputy Chair of the STEP Mental Capacity Global SIG Steering Committee, Secretary of the Court of Protection Barristers Association, and a committee member of COPPA (London).
News 17 Jun, 2019
We’re revving up and raring to go! A team of walkers from Outer Temple are due to take part in the London Legal Walk 2019 today – to raise well-needed funds that provide access to justice. Each year, thousands of lawyers take on the challenge and walk 10km to raise money for the London Legal Support Trust. The Trust distributes monies to the Bar Pro Bono Unit, the Free Representation Unit and other legal law charities to provide support to the poorest and most vulnerable people who need legal assistance. Members of chambers are always prepared to provide free legal advice in appropriate circumstances. They regularly assist clients, who cannot obtain public funding and cannot afford to pay for legal…
News 17 Jun, 2019
Under the statutory rules of the Police Pension Schemes, members have a right of appeal on certain matters to the Crown Court. In a judgment handed down on 13 June 2019 in the case of R (Carter) v Chelmsford Crown Court and others, the Divisional Court (Coulson LJ and Andrew Baker J) has held that this right does not apply to contingent rights, for example a right to widow’s benefit where the relevant member is still alive. Instead, the Divisional Court held, the claimants in this case should seek declaratory relief from the High Court (QBD) by way of Part 8 proceedings. The Crown Court’s jurisdiction in statutory pension appeals has always been something of a bone of contention; this…
News 13 Jun, 2019
Alex Haines has recently been instructed in five appeals before the European Bank for Reconstruction & Development Administrative Tribunal (EBRDAT). The EBRDAT forms part of the grievance system of the EBRD – a multilateral development bank headquartered in London and established in 1991 to help build a new post-Cold War era in Central and Eastern Europe. The EBRDAT was set up in 2002 and is the final stage of appeal for the resolution of cases submitted by members of staff alleging the non-observance of their contracts of employment or terms of appointment, and concerning dismissals and disciplinary matters. The EBRDAT is composed of five judges, all of whom are nationals of different Member States of the EBRD. The Appeals Procedures of…
News 11 Jun, 2019
John McKendrick QC is currently acting in the High Court, London for an NHS trust responsible for the treatment of a 17 year-old Jehovah’s Witness. The boy, who has leukaemia and who lives in the south east of England, has refused potentially life-saving blood product treatment for his condition, because of his religious beliefs. NHS trust doctors are respecting the boy’s views and doctors are not treating him with blood products. Lead barrister for the trust, John McKendrick QC said that the boy had refused to consent to treatment involving “blood products” and that the teenager was “extremely articulate about his Jehovah’s Witness faith”. John regularly appears before the Administrative Court, Court of Protection, Family Division, the Tribunal system and the…
News 7 Jun, 2019
Michael Bowes QC is due to speak at a Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) event on 11 June 2019 in Whitehall, London. RUSI is the world’s oldest independent think tank on international defence and security, and has a global presence. Michael, who specialises in business crime, civil fraud, financial services and international sanctions has been invited to take part in a panel discussion on the ‘Paper Launch: A Civil approach to tackling Criminal Finances’, led by Helena Wood, Associate Fellow, RUSI and author of the paper. Mick Creedon, Former Chief Constable and National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) lead on Proceeds of Crime also makes up the panel. The Paper Launch follows on from the Government’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy…
News 5 Jun, 2019
Outer Temple welcomes Elaine Palser who joins us as a new member of Chambers this week. Elaine has an extensive commercial and chancery practice, with a strong emphasis on contentious probate, trusts, insolvency, and related professional negligence. Ranked in several independent legal directories, Elaine is described as: “an excellent advocate”, “technically superb”, “very good with clients”, “a team player”, and “a seasoned legal gladiator” (Legal 500). Elaine is recommended as a Leading Junior for Insolvency and Private Client: Trusts and Probate. She has won several awards, including: Contentious Trusts and Probate Lawyer of the Year 2016 and 2017 (Women in Law awards) and Commercial Disputes Barrister of the Year 2015 (the Lawyer Monthly awards). With degrees in both law and…
News 3 Jun, 2019
Ben Compton QC and Oliver Powell were invited by Port Skills & Safety, a joint venture between UKMPG and the British Ports Association to improve safety standards in the marine industry, to speak at its workshop: “Whose choice is it anyway…?” Ben spoke on the ‘Health and Safety Offences, Corporate Manslaughter and Food Safety and Hygiene Offences Definitive Guideline’, whilst Oliver conducted a mock trial, as well as sitting on a specialist panel dealing with marine related health and safety questions. Other speakers included: Chris Newton, Partner, and Alex Penberthy, Partner, Keoghs; Mike Yarwood, Claims Executive, TT Club; Stephen Haynes, Programme Manager, Mates in Mind; and Adam Christopher, Director, Active Training Team Ltd. The unique and insightful workshop was designed…
News 23 May, 2019
