Autumn Seminar booking now open

We are delighted to continue our seminar series in Bristol on Thursday 16th November (17.00 – 19.30) at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

The programme of talks is as follows:

Robin Shellard: Modern slavery – a 21st century crime

On 31 July 2015 three key provisions of the Modern Slavery Act came into force criminalising:

slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour

human trafficking and

committing an offence with intent to traffic humans

Prosecutions have followed in increasing numbers – 12 were commenced in 2015, 63 in 2016 – as the government addresses the plight of people forced into everything from groundwork to growing cannabis. But most criminal practitioners still remain unfamiliar with the area.

Robin provides a practical guide to the key provisions and authorities.

Oliver Willmott: Lay factfinding & the science of the mind

More than a hundred years of research has confounded many common-sense understandings of how memory works and how to identify truth, error and lies in testimony. But these insights are not widely understood and for the most part unreflected in directions given to juries.

What does the science suggest?

Is expert evidence in this field admissible?

And if not, how should we respond as practitioners to the challenge that the science presents?

Oliver attempts to survey the research and identify a way forward.

Lucie Stoker: The art of the application to dismiss

In recent years significant efforts have been made to inject efficiencies into the court system. Early guilty pleas in magistrates’ courts are encouraged by the changes in sentencing guidance and more cases are being kept in the lower court under the new allocation guideline; whilst the level of evidence being served at the first hearing seems to be getting more scant by the day.

It is essential that all those working in such a fast-moving environment have all possible case disposals at the forefront of their minds. The prospect of mounting a successful dismissal application needs to be considered at an exceptionally early stage (before any pleas on indictment are given).

Lucie identifies the key considerations and the applicable procedure.

Click for map: Radisson Blu Hotel, Broad Quay, Bristol, BS1 4BY 

If you would like to attend the seminar, please get in touch on 0117 921 1966 or crime@qs-c.co.uk and we will be happy to reserve you a place.  Please note numbers are limited.