header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
28 April 2023 / David Walbank KC
Issue: 8022 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice , Criminal
printer mail-detail

Crime brief: 28 April 2023

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
120545
David Walbank KC reports on anthropomorphism in court & the legal protections accorded to animals
  • Limits of the criminal law.
  • Sexual harm prevention orders.
  • Public protection.

In the heyday of the print media, budding young Marshall Halls would compete to see whose cases could generate the most lurid Evening Standard headlines. My own personal best was a billboard appearing on news stands across the metropolis, which barked out the news of the hour: ‘Stay of Execution for Devil Dog!’

I had been instructed by animal rights campaigners (with the vocal support of Carla Lane, the much-loved creator of The Liver Birds and Bread) to seek what was literally a stay of execution for Otis. Otis was a wholly innocent puppy, who had the great misfortune to be spotted by an ever-vigilant constable in the back of my client’s white van as it sped along the Blackwall Tunnel Northern Approach Road. The problem was threefold: the officer thought that Otis looked suspiciously like ‘a

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Sponsored by
NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

Nikki Bowker, head of litigation and dispute resolution at Devonshires, on career resilience, diversity in law and channelling Elle Woods when the pressure is on

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Leasehold enfranchisement specialist joins residential property team

DWF—Chris Air

DWF—Chris Air

Firm strengthens commercial team in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: When post-breach events rewrite damages claims
Contract damages are usually assessed at the date of breach—but not always. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Gascoigne, knowledge lawyer at LexisNexis, examines the growing body of cases where courts have allowed later events to reshape compensation
NLJ this week: Supreme Court redraws unfair prejudice rules
The Supreme Court has restored ‘doctrinal coherence’ to unfair prejudice litigation, writes Natalie Quinlivan, partner at Fieldfisher LLP, in this week' NLJ
NLJ this week: ‘Joe Donor’ ruling exposes dangers of unregulated conception
The High Court’s refusal to recognise a prolific sperm donor as a child’s legal parent has highlighted the risks of informal conception arrangements, according to Liam Hurren, associate at Kingsley Napley, in NLJ this week
NLJ this week: CILEX warns Mazur ruling must spark reform
The Court of Appeal’s decision in Mazur may have settled questions around litigation supervision, but the profession should not simply ‘move on’, argues Jennifer Coupland, CEO of CILEX, in this week's NLJ
NLJ this week: Conditional job offers carry hidden risks for employers
A simple phrase like ‘subject to references’ may not protect employers as much as they think. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, analyses recent employment cases showing how conditional job offers can still create binding contracts
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll