News - Page 2 of 69 - Dere Street Barristers

04/12/2025

To Commit or not to Commit

Below we bring you a summary written by Eleanor Irons of a recent Financial Remedies Case. Sandra Ozturk v Yilmaz Ozturk [2025] EWFC 333 (B) Non-disclosure in Financial Remedy proceedings has varying degrees of ‘punishment’; often committal to prison is seen as a last resort and a counter-productive response with a decreasing likelihood of a […]

02/12/2025

Pupillage Fair North 2025

It was a pleasure to take part again in the annual Pupillage Fair North. This year the fair was held at The Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University on Saturday 29th November. The fair was organised by the North and North Eastern Circuits and was supported by the Bar Council. This year we had Victoria Kilpatrick, […]

26/11/2025

Liam O’Brien Succeeds in Application to Dismiss Indictment Arising from “Inherently Idiotic” Behaviour of Lay Client

Liam O’Brien was instructed by Yarwood Holmes Law to represent a former soldier charged with a racially aggravated public order offence after telling a Police Officer he looked like Harvey Price. The Court was persuaded by Mr O’Brien’s “helpful” submission that while his lay client’s behaviour had been “inherently idiotic” it could not properly be […]

25/11/2025

Rachael Landin secures acquittal

Rachael was instructed by Neil Taylor of Tilly Bailey & Irvine Solicitors to represent a young male accused of rape. The trial was heard over 3 days and involved recent complaint evidence and disclosed videos. After just 55 minutes of deliberations, the jury returned a unanimous not guilty verdict. If you would like to instruct […]

21/11/2025

Newcastle University networking event with the Law and Bar Societies

Sarah Preest, Zack Fixter and Laura Peto attend this event that was held at the Henry Daysh Building within Newcastle University. This event was well attended where Sarah, Zack and Laura spoke to students currently undertaking their law degree. Sarah said “It was fantastic to meet with the enthusiastic students who I’m sure will be […]

08/11/2025

Sunderland Law Society Dinner 2025

Chambers held a table at this year’s Law Society dinner on Friday evening at the Roker Hotel in Sunderland. The local charity, Veterans in Crisis, was chosen by Robin Ford, this year’s president. Everyone who attended had such a lovely evening that included, games, relaxed and humour filled speeches, a band playing hits from the […]

03/11/2025

Members of Chambers and staff extend a warm welcome to Ralph McMullan who begins his tenancy within Chambers today

Ralph is a highly experienced lawyer and advocate who spent 20 years as a solicitor before transferring to the Bar. He will be joining the Family and Civil Costs teams in Chambers John Elvidge KC – Head of Chambers said “we are delighted to welcome Ralph to chambers, he has a wealth of experience and […]

27/10/2025

Court of Appeal quashes sentence of immediate imprisonment

Calum McNicholas represented a 22-year-old who pleaded guilty to multiple sexual offences. The Defendant was given an immediate custodial sentence. Calum successfully argued that the Crown Court erred in its application of the suspended sentence guidelines. Following submissions, the Court of Appeal replaced the immediate imprisonment with a suspended sentence. They also agreed with Calum’s […]

25/10/2025

HHJ Susan Boothroyd

Everyone at Dere Street joins in warmly congratulating our former colleague Susan Boothroyd upon her elevation to the Circuit Bench. The appointment was announced on the judiciary website on 24th October, The King has appointed Susan Boothroyd to be a Circuit Judge on the advice of the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable David Lammy MP, and […]