James Gigg, a poultry farmer running a family farm in Dorset, was charged with fraud and two offences under the Eggs and Chicks Regulations resulting from overstocking. A change in the EU Regulations in 2012 meant that the number of birds he could lawfully house to enable the eggs to be sold as free range was reduced from 12 per square metre to nine. An examination of documentation by inspectors in 2016 showed that he had been supplied with 14,000 birds, an overstock of 3,500 and that he had sold 289,000 dozen eggs for a estimated value of £230,000.

The Background

Undercover policing has always existed, so why is it only now that a company focused on ethical cosmetics has engaged in what is, at its heart, a political, legal and civil liberties debate? This article seeks to explore some of the issues raised by undercover policing and looking at acts done by undercover officers that could lead to successful claims by members of the public affected by them.    

We are pleased to announce the recruitment to our crime team of Nikki Coombe, Patrick Mason, Harry Ahuja and Emma Martin, all formerly of Octagon Chambers. We are delighted to welcome all four practitioners who further strengthen our crime team and take our total membership to 70, including five Queen’s Counsel.

Two recent reports seek to remind advocates of the widely-ignored principle that inquests are non-adversarial and cross-examination is not permitted.  

Chambers has updated its privacy policy in line with the new General Data Protection Regulation. Please click here to view the policy.

Adam Vaitilingam QC led for the prosecution in the recent murder trial of R v Berlinah Wallace. It was a landmark case in that it was the first ever prosecution for murder of a defendant whose victim had chosen to end his life by euthanasia.