News
Charles Gabb and Mark Ruffell secure conviction of Hampshire organised crime gang
Charles Gabb and Mark Ruffell prosecuted 18 members of an organised gang, who were sentenced to a combined 33 years and 8 months in prison for their part in the conspiracy to sell cannabis and Class-A drugs. Between April 2019 and December 2020, the gang imported drugs from Europe, Canada and the US, which were […]
Tim Akers obtains decision of No Further Action after Traffic Commissioner’s Insolvency Concerns
At a Public Inquiry before the Deputy Traffic Commissioner for the West of England, Tim represented the national arm of a global supply chain management company. The company was called to Inquiry after the Traffic Commissioner raised concerns over the fact that a director had been involved in numerous companies that had become insolvent. Tim […]
Leslie Samuels KC appointed as a Deputy High Court Judge
Pump Court Chambers is extremely proud to announce that Leslie Samuels KC has been reappointed as a Deputy High Court Judge, under section 9(4) of the Senior Courts Act 1981. The appointment, made by The Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Right Honourable The Lord Burnett of Maldon, will take place between 23 January 2023 […]
Louisa Simpson joins Pump Court Chambers
Chambers is delighted to welcome Louisa Simpson as a tenant following the successful completion of her Third Six. Louisa is looking forward to working in the civil team and has a specialist focus, interest and experience in employment and regulatory work. During pupillage, Louisa specialised in employment law – specifically in cases involving discrimination, harassment, […]
Tim Akers achieves Formal Warning for Operator with Systemic Failures to Comply with its Licence Undertakings
At a recent Public Inquiry before the Traffic Commissioner for London and the South East, Tim represented a multi-million pound resource and waste management company for a number of alleged regulatory failings, including a systemic failure to declare road traffic offences committed by company employees. Despite a real risk of revocation of the O-Licence, Tim […]
Jennifer Lee appeared for the applicant in R v T [2022] EWHC 3362 (Fam), a five-day High Court jurisdiction hearing involving English children of a same-sex family living in the UAE
Jennifer Lee, led by Will Tyler KC, acted for the applicant (Ms R) in this highly complex and extraordinary case, which raises important jurisdictional and human rights issues. The key question is whether the English Court has jurisdiction to consider applications by Ms R in respect of her children, conceived via assisted reproduction with her […]
Catherine Ellis appointed to the First Tier Tribunal – Mental Health Jurisdiction
Pump Court Chambers is delighted to announce that Catherine Ellis has been appointed as a fee paid judge of the First Tier Tribunal – Mental Health Jurisdiction. As this is a part-time appointment, Catherine will continue to practice as a barrister alongside sitting and remains available for instruction. The Mental Health Tribunal is an independent […]
Richard Tutt successfully acts for Defendant in Isle of Wight murder trial
Richard Tutt, led by Ignatius Hughes KC, represented Piers Brazier who was found not guilty of murdering Scott Cooper at a flat in Ryde in January 2021. The original trial was held in June and July 2022, but that jury could not reach a verdict. The trial is the first murder case to be heard […]
How much mitigation should be afforded to a gambling addiction when sentencing for dishonesty?
By Mark Ruffell This was the question that the Court had to consider when sentencing Martin Sargeant for fraud. He had stolen £5.2 million from the Church of England over 11 years when working as an administrator. He had worked hard, and had a good reputation, but this had hidden his dishonesty which had commenced […]
Senior Traffic Commissioner clarifies the relationship between the number of vehicles specified on an Operator’s Licence and the number of vehicles held and used
On 12 December 2022, The Senior Traffic Commissioner published important proposed changes to the Statutory Guidance. The changes are currently out for consultation, and the consultation itself closes on 16 January 2023. Of significance are the proposals to amend Statutory Document No. 0, ‘Introduction to Operating Licensing’ and Statutory Document No. 4, which covers Operating […]
Mark Ruffell appears in £5m Church of England fraud case
Mark Ruffell acted for the defendant, a former operations manager at the Church of England’s Diocese of London, who defrauded the Church out of £5.2m. The case has been widely reported in the national press: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2022/12/19/church-england-official-took-52m-spent-flights-burberry/ https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11555467/Convicted-thief-given-second-chance-CofE-defrauded-church-5-2M.html https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/church-official-admits-ps5-million-fraud-on-diocese-of-london-b1032738.html https://www.itv.com/news/london/2022-12-19/ex-prisoner-jailed-after-landing-86k-church-of-england-job-and-stealing-52m Mark Ruffell is regularly instructed in heavy weight criminal defence work and is also regularly instructed […]
Oba Nsugbe KC, SAN recognised in Africa’s 20 Arbitration Powerlist 2022
Pump Court Chambers is delighted to announce that Head of Chambers, Oba Nsugbe KC, SAN has been recognised in the Africa’s 20 Arbitration Powerlist 2022. Now in its 2nd edition, this prestigious recognition was established by the Africa Arbitration Academy, Association of Young Arbitrators (AYA) and Africa Arbitration to celebrate the achievements of leading arbitration […]