Connor Howell was the young victim of a tragic clinical negligence case which left him and his two brothers orphaned. Members of Chambers have pooled together to sponsor his Under 8 football team, the Romford Royals, who now have brand new kit.
 

One Crown Office Row were among the first 23 sets of chambers to participate in the Diversity League Table commissioned this year by the Black Solicitors Network. We were ranked second in terms both of the percentage of female silks and of ethnic minority barristers.
 

The Divisional Court has ruled that lawyers for Shaker Aamer, held at Guantanamo for seven years, can see papers they believe may help to free him on the grounds that confessions he made were obtained by torture.  The ruling is subject to Government claims that the documents should not be disclosed as a result of ‘public interest immunity’, which claims are be determined as a matter of urgency.

Margaret Bowron QC acted for the Claimants and Stephen Miller QC represented the Defendant, Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust, in this sad and, it is to be hoped, unique case in which a young mother to be, Lorraine Waite, and her unborn son, Kyle Burch, were starved of oxygen during labour after she had a fit in the bath in May 2004 and nearly drowned.  Liability was quickly admitted and the very difficult quantum issues were resolved following a round table meeting and as a result of the parties working closely together to ensure a speedy resolution.   The settlement of the case was approved by Nicol  J on 24th November 2009.

Acting for the RSPCA on16 October, Rowan took the first case to the High Court on behalf of the RSPCA on the interpretation of Section 31 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. The Court considered the case for commencing a prosecution outside the time permitted by the Act.
 

The Bar Pro Bono Unit and the Free Representation Unit have launched the “Friends in Law” scheme, to encourage chambers to contribute to the pro bono work co-ordinated by the Units. We are among the first eight Chambers to join the scheme.

Oliver Sanders acted for the MOD in three combined inquests into a controversial Puma helicopter crash at Catterick Infrantry Training Centre in August 2007.

On 20th October 2009, Francesca Lewington represented Brighton & Hove City Council in the prosecution of a woman for trading in fake designer goods, including Rolex watches, UGG boots and Tiffany jewellery.

We are pleased to announce that Adam Wagner has accepted our offer of tenancy with effect from 1 October 2009 upon the successful completion of his pupillage.

We are pleased to announce that Anita Mehta (called in 2002) has joined Chambers with effect from 20 October 2009. Anita was hitherto practising from Westgate Chambers in Lewes and joins our growing family law team.