Public and Administrative Law News

Jonathan Underhill secures acquittal for his client in multi-handed VAT fraud

24th December 2020

3PB’s specialist crime and regulatory law barrister Jonathan Underhill (pictured here) has secured acquittal for his client following a two week trial in a multi-handed VAT fraud matter. Jonathan's client was accused of being knowingly concerned in the fraudulent evasion of VAT. After two weeks of prosecution evidence, and following detailed written and oral submissions, Jonathan was successful in persuading the judge to withdraw the case from the jury and direct the acquittal of the Defendant....

3PB sees two new Silks announced

17th December 2020

It is with great pleasure that 3PB Barristers announces that, on the recommendation of The Lord Chancellor, Her Majesty The Queen has announced her intention to appoint family barrister Lucy Hendry and public and employment law barrister Mathew Gullick as Queen's Counsel in the Ministry of Justice's new Silk appointments published today, 17 December 2020. Lucy Hendry was called to the Bar in 1988 and is a family barrister and accredited mediator who specialises in...

Max Schofield’s OnlyFans VAT case is referred to the European Court of Justice ahead of Brexit

15th December 2020

3PB’s commercial and tax barrister Max Schofield was instructed to advise Fenix International Limited, who operate the OnlyFans website, in their VAT dispute with HMRC about the VAT liability of online platforms under EU law. OnlyFans is a global social media platform where fans subscribe to creators to see online content. Led by Valentina Sloane QC of Monckton Chambers, Max obtained an order from the UK’s First-Tier Tribunal (Tax) referring the question of the validity...

Sunyana Sharma features in Counsel magazine about becoming a barrister as a young Asian female

13th November 2020

3PB’s specialist crime and regulatory barrister Sunyana Sharma was featured in the September 2020 issue of Counsel magazine describing her own experiences becoming a barrister as part of the Black Lives Matter campaign. In this article Sunyana describes her own experience and struggles in becoming a barrister as a young Asian female. ‘‘Imagine being a young Asian barrister walking into an eight-handed sentence hearing in a ‘conspiracy to handle stolen goods’ case, picked up the...

Sunyana Sharma tackles lack of ethnic diversity in Counsel magazine

13th November 2020

Counsel magazine featured an article from 3PB’s specialist crime and regulatory barrister Sunyana Sharma, alongside Anjali Gohil of Guildhall Chambers, about the lack of ethnic diversity on the Western Circuit. The article which appeared in Counsel magazine in November states that ‘‘no full-time circuit judge on the Western Circuit appears to be from an ethnic minority. To break that down – there are 12 crown court centres on the Western Circuit, comprised of between one...

3PB sponsor Support Through Court “In Conversation with" Sarah Langford and William Clegg QC

29th October 2020

3PB are pleased to sponsor Support Through Court’s 4th “In Conversation” event due to take place via Zoom on Wednesday 18 November 7-8.30pm. The event will be joined by Sarah Langford and William Clegg QC, who will discuss their experiences at the bar and help raise funds and awareness for the charity. Sarah Langford is a barrister from 3PB and Sunday Times Best Seller for ‘In your defense’, a book commended for powerfully communicating the...

Five 3PB education barristers ranked in Chambers & Partners 2021 edition

26th October 2020

Chambers & Partners 2021 UK Bar directory lists a record five of our education barristers as leading Juniors or Up and Coming barristers in its latest edition. The directory acknowledges ‘3PB Barristers is a well-regarded set with a growing presence in the education sector. Members are experienced in the handling of a broad range of matters, including school admissions and exclusions, special educational needs and discrimination claims. The team also offers expertise in disciplinary matters arising...

46 barristers at 3PB ranked in Chambers & Partners 2021 UK Bar directory

22nd October 2020

The 2021 Chambers and Partners legal directory - which ranks and rates barristers and solicitors based on independent research by the publisher and direct feedback from clients - has given 46 3PB barristers rankings in this year's guide, across 16 different practice areas. This includes two new group rankings for Family (Children) and Family (Matrimonial Finance) teams in the Midlands and new ratings for Chancery in the Midlands as well as Planning Law in the...

Mariya Peykova reviews the decision of Turkey’s attempt to re-open Varosha

12th October 2020

3PB’s specialist international and public law barrister Mariya Peykova has reviewed the decision of Turkey’s attempt to re-open Varosha. On Thursday 8th October 2020, following an announcement by Turkish Cypriot Premier Ersin Tatar during a press conference with the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey’s military took down the fencing in the ghost town of Varosha in Cyprus. The move has flared up tensions in the region which have been intensified by the emergence...

3PB are pleased to announce that former doctor Dr Tagbo Ilozue (Crime/Regulatory Law/Personal Injury/Clinical Negligence/Inquests) and former energy and international research fellow Mariya Peykova (Commercial/Contract/ Construction/Public Law) have both successfully completed their pupillages today and become tenants at the 200-barrister, national chambers. 3PB Chief Executive Simon Astill said:  “I am delighted to welcome both of these pupils as new tenants and junior counsel here. They have all shown great aptitude, hard work and expert advocacy...

In this webinar “Article 2 engagement and effect” our speakers Sunyana Sharma and Susan Jones explore the effect of the recent decision of Maguire v HM Senior Coroner for Blackpool [2020] EWCA Civ 738 and the effect this will have on when Article 2 is and is not likely to be engaged. They also considered the impact of Article 2 on the inquest procedure with a particular focus on the impact it has on the...

3PB Barristers have created a dedicated webpage on its website to act as a hub for the many articles, briefings and webinar and podcast recordings about lockdown laws and regulations as well as practical issues like court attendance, e-bundles, remote and hybrid hearings. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to create employment, contractual and other legal challenges which are in many ways unprecedented. The impact of the virus is being felt, and in response, 3PB have...