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07 July 2020
Issue: 7894 / Categories: Legal News , Covid-19
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Prosecuting Dominic Cummings

A former Chief Crown Prosecutor for the north west has engaged lawyers with a view to bringing a private prosecution against the Prime Minister’s chief advisor Dominic Cummings

Nazir Afzal believes the police have not gathered all the relevant evidence regarding Cummings’s notorious trip to Durham while infected with COVID-19 and have not investigated at all some of the alleged breaches of the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) Regulations 2020 and related offences.

His lawyers wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Max Hill QC, the Chief Constable of Durham and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police last week asking them to investigate further and provide detailed information.

Afzal’s solicitor, Mike Schwarz, partner at Hodge, Jones & Allen, said: ‘It is his simple wish and expectation that current senior police investigators and prosecutors are reminded of their responsibilities and carry out their duties in Mr Cummings’ case. By failing to do so they would perpetuate the public’s perception that there is one rule for those in positions of power and another for ordinary citizens.’

Issue: 7894 / Categories: Legal News , Covid-19
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Carter-Ruck—Tomas Vail

Carter-Ruck—Tomas Vail

Carter-Ruck strengthens International team with appointment of arbitration partner Tomas Vail

Slater Heelis—Nick Terry

Slater Heelis—Nick Terry

Slater Heelis strengthens crime and regulatory team with appointment of Nick Terry as partner

Payne Hicks Beach—Thomas Moran & Sarah Gogan

Payne Hicks Beach—Thomas Moran & Sarah Gogan

Payne Hicks Beach strengthens private wealth offering with appointment of two new partners

NEWS
Expert witnesses face a multitude of risks and uncertainties when using artificial intelligence (AI) in their reports, IT specialists have warned
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has accepted Richard Lloyd’s recommendations for the Legal Services Board (LSB) and ordered a ‘comprehensive review of the regulatory framework’, likely to continue beyond 2029
More than one-third of expert witnesses now use artificial intelligence (AI) regularly or occasionally in their work, according to Bond Solon’s 2026 expert witness survey
General counsel have warned law firms not to keep artificial intelligence (AI) savings to themselves or risk losing work
Some 53 firms have been successfully assessed for legal aid contracts for inquest work and will now move to the verification stage, the Legal Aid Agency has confirmed
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