This is the  record of a conference to consider the introduction of lawyers to the police stations in Belgium It has been published by Politeia

It discusses all the implications of the Salduz judgment . Polish up your Dutch filly to understand the text but relief comes at p155 with an article by  Tony Edwards passing on 25 years of experience of PACE in England and Wales

As a result of the decision of the European Court in Salduz v Turkey, many jurisdictions now have  to introduce lawyers at the investigation stage so that any evidence obtained may be admissible in evidence. The decision of the Supreme Court in Calder has had the same effect in Scotland. Working with Gary Shaw of the National Police Improvement Agency Anthony Edwards was able to pass on the benefit of 25 years experience since the coming in to effect, on 1^st January 1986, of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 This followed a series of miscarriages of justice in the English courts and the report of the Phillips Royal Commission

The NPIA emphasised the need for ethical interviewing. Anthony Edwards concentrated on identifying the skills needed to intervene effectively in interview to prevent false or misleading admissions. He was able to pass on ideas for the training of the lawyers who will attend police stations and the organisation of firms to handle this new area of work

The presentations, which included also descriptions of the new law by members of the local Bar was followed by close on one and a half hours of questions

The lecture notes and slides are available from T V Edwards

The firm is delighted that both Jenny Beck and Christina Blacklaws will remain as consultants with the firm.

The firm has announced a series of appointments that will take full effect in July 2012. The firm encourages the development of all its staff and this provides an opportunity to promote a new generation of managers

The new managing partner will be Julian Overton. The family department will be headed by existing partners Maud Davis, Susan Fitzgerald who will manage the South London offices and Alison Leivesley who will manage the North London and Cambridge offices. Farhana Rahman-Cook will become head of crime. Anthony Edwards remains Senior partner. The partnership remains unchanged otherwise

TV Edwards has always been at the forefront of developments of legal services for the less advantaged and these changes will maintain its primary position in that field. Senior Partner Anthony Edwards said “The development of reasonably priced legal services for our clients of modest means is critical as the Government reduces the scope of legal aid. We are delighted that we have the expertise that will assist that process.”

PRESS CONTACT Anthony Edwards 020 7791 7112 email anthony.edwards@tvedwards.com

NOTES
TV Edwards was formed in 1929 and is one of the country’s largest suppliers of legal aid services. It has a turnover in excess of £8million and there are over 200 employees across a series of specialist areas including crime, family, social welfare, civil litigation and non contentious work. It will move its Whitechapel offices to new premises in the Mile End Road London on 14th November 2011

Jenny Beck joined the firm in 1993 and was appointed managing partner in 2002. She has overseen the growth of the firm to its present size supervising a series of 8 mergers over a three year period.
She is a co-chair of the Legal Aid Practitioners Association and a Member of the Access to Justice Committee of the Law Society.

Christina Blacklaws was previously principal of Blacklaws Davis solicitors which merged with TV Edwards in May 2011 and is a member of the Law Society Council with Chair of the Legal Affairs and Policy Board and designated child care representative on Council. She is also Chief Assessor of the Law Society’s Children Panel.

The solicitors are:-

Anthony Edwards (Crime)
James Nichol (Crime)
Mark Ashford (Crime)
Maud Davis (Family)
Christina Blacklaws (Family)

In Crime, Chambers says “the lawyers are impressive and the work is consistently high quality.”

The key individuals are Senior partner and solicitor advocate Anthony Edwards who heads up the criminal department. He is admired as “the leading light of the practice. You can turn to him if you have a question and he has fabulous delivery.” Mark Ashford wins plaudits as “a pre-eminent specialist in youth court work in London.” Interviewees agree that solicitor advocate James Nichol offers highly effective representation, especially in his high level and appellate work. His areas of expertise include terrorism-related work.”

In Family the firm’s Public Law Children department is singled out with Chambers Directory saying “This group maintains its strong reputation for public law children work. The team represents children, parents and guardians, and its practitioners are praised as ‘valiant advocates for some of the most vulnerable children and parents.’ ”

Key individuals are noted as Maud Davis who is “sought after for her expertise on the most complex children matters. Observers are full of praise for her: ‘What makes her outstanding is that in addition to being a first-class lawyer, she brings an insightful, creative, problem-solving approach, allied to a sensitive understanding of the human issues in the case.’ Practice head Christina Blacklaws is an expert in mediation and childcare law. ‘She is an excellent negotiator and advocate, say sources. “

Craig Brookes, Consultant Solicitor says ““The nature of the business means that sometimes parties don’t see eye to eye. If a dispute occurs it is essential to have it settled, if possible, quickly and in such a way as to preserve or repair the working relationship between the parties. Alternative Dispute Resolution is one way to solve this”.

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