Welcome to the May edition of our monthly Criminal Appeals Bulletin.

The Bulletin aims to highlight recent changes in case law and procedure in England and Wales, Northern Ireland, the Caribbean and Hong Kong and to provide practical guidance to those advising on appellate matters. Our monthly case summaries illustrate when an appellate court is likely to interfere with conviction or sentence, as well as looking at the courts’ approach to procedural matters. The featured article provides an in-depth commentary on a current appeal topic - in this edition, Kirsty Brimelow QC reflects upon her recent (positive) experience of the CCRC.

I look at the latest CACD cases based on grounds alleging improper cross-examination and errors in the summing up.

Farrhat Arshad reviews her case of Rana – a rare example of a successful appeal based on fresh evidence.

Richard Thomas looks at the latest Hong Kong appeals involving challenges to convictions based on lies directions, hostile witness and conspiracy to defraud.

I look at a decision from the Court of Appeal of Bermuda dealing with police destruction of evidence and abuse of process.

Richard Fisher QC  continues his series analysing appeals arising from financial crimes, and looks the question of the CACD has jurisdiction to hear an appeal by the prosecution against the terms of the default order made in confiscation proceedings pursuant to POCA 2002.

It is hoped that the Northern Ireland case summary will return next month.

Doughty Street has some of the most experienced appellate practitioners at the Bar, including the contributors to the leading works on appellate procedure - The Criminal Appeals Handbook, Taylor on Criminal Appeals, Blackstones Criminal Practice (appeals section).

Please feel free to e-mail us or to call our crime team on 020 7400 9088. We also offer our instructing solicitors a free Advice Line, where they can discuss initial ideas about possible appeals, at no cost to them or their client.  More information on our services can be found on our website.

We hope that the bulletin is of interest to you. 

Paul Taylor QC

Head of the DSC Criminal Appeals Unit