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16 December 2021

Costs not recoverable on ‘the nod’ - A warning for private prosecutors R (on the application of T M Eye Ltd) v Southampton Crown Court [2021] EWHC 2624 (Admin)

Last month, the High Court handed down judgement in R (on the application of T M Eye Ltd) v Southampton Crown Court reinforcing the correct approach to applications for an award from central funds for the costs of a private prosecution. Despite clear ‘Jurisdictional error’ on the part of the Crown Court, the appellant court took the opportunity to warn private prosecutors; applications will not be approved ‘on the nod’.

16 December 2021

Mythbusting: Motivation in Starting a Private Prosecution

Private prosecutions provide an effective way to seek justice; and particularly in circumstances when the traditional prosecuting agencies are unable or unwilling to act. Conducted appropriately they can be a useful, efficient and cost-effective tool to secure punishment of the guilty.  Conducted badly they can be an expensive mistake with far reaching consequences. 

In this blog series we draw on our experience of both bringing and defending private prosecutions to help clarify some of the common myths and misunderstandings about private prosecutions. In this blog we look at whether having an ulterior motive in starting a private prosecution can lead to problems down the line.

Melinka Berridge

16 December 2021

Health and Safety - personal liability for directors operating in the built environment

The built environment presents health and safety risks like no other sector. Whether it be the risk of falls from height, hazardous substances, trapped by items collapsing or overturning, fire or moving vehicles there are a wide range of hazards that need to be managed from the outset. Directors can be held personally liable when health and safety duties are breached. In this blog we explore the scope of personal liability for directors in the built environment.

Melinka Berridge

16 December 2021

Adverse Inferences in RICS Investigations: How Should You Respond?

If you’re the subject of an investigation by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), you will receive a letter from RICS setting out the allegations against you. The letter will likely include a section on the “adverse inference” that can be drawn if you do not respond: that a Disciplinary Panel may later conclude that you have no reasonable explanation for the alleged misconduct. So what is an “adverse inference”, and what does this mean for you? 

Julie Matheson

16 December 2021

Mythbusting: Recovery of Costs in Private Prosecutions

Private prosecutions provide an effective way to seek justice; and particularly in circumstances when the traditional prosecuting agencies are unable or unwilling to act.   Conducted appropriately they can be a useful, efficient and cost-effective tool to secure punishment of the guilty.  Conducted badly they can be an expensive mistake with far reaching consequences. 

In this blog series we draw on our experience of both bringing and defending private prosecutions to help clarify some of the common myths and misunderstandings about private prosecutions.  In this blog we look at whether the private prosecutor is entitled to recover their full investigation and legal fees at the end of the case.

Melinka Berridge

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