header-logo header-logo

Crime brief: 23 June 2023

23 June 2023 / David Walbank KC
Issue: 8030 / Categories: Features , Criminal , Property , Judicial review
printer mail-detail
127497
Thus far, arguably the most significant output of the HS2 project has been a stream of litigation: David Walbank KC charts the path to judicial review
  • HS2 protesters tunnelling under Euston Square Gardens.
  • Offence of aggravated trespass.
  • Scope of the ‘lawful activity’ being obstructed or disrupted.

The economic benefits of the high-speed railway HS2 may sometimes seem illusory. Nebulous phrases like ‘connectivity’, ‘capacity’ and, dare I say it, ‘levelling up’ are bandied about, while a hard-headed costs/benefits analysis is harder to come by and grows ever more elusive as project costs continue to spiral. Only history will judge whether this state-of-the-art high-speed rail link, supposedly bringing London and the North of England closer together, is ultimately seen as a marvel of modern engineering or the biggest white elephant ever to burn through our increasingly straitened public finances. However, one identifiable sub-class of our fellow citizens that it has undoubtedly benefited is the criminal lawyer. Rarely has any major construction project given rise to such 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

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
back-to-top-scroll