Lawyer in the news
Jennifer Richardson, Blackfords
Who? Jennifer Richardson, partner at Blackfords LLP, London.
Why is she in the news? The firm represented Andrew Mountbatten- Windsor in successfully challenging the legality of search warrants obtained and executed by Thames Valley Police in February this year.
Thoughts on the case: ‘The police’s ability to search your home and seize your possessions is invasive and distressing. It is crucial that the powers to do so, bestowed on them by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, are carefully marshalled and at all times lawful. Sections 8 and 9 of PACE were carefully crafted by parliament to encompass different scenarios. Unfortunately, on this occasion the Central Criminal Court granted the warrants under the incorrect provision.
They were unlawful and quite rightly fell to be quashed. Regardless of who our client is, everyone has the right to benefit from the protections that the PACE provides. Far too often search warrants go unchallenged and unchecked, often because the process is very expensive and complicated. I have been incredibly fortunate to be part of the phenomenal team who worked on this. Clare Montgomery KC and James Stansfeld of Matrix Chambers and my colleagues Gary Bloxsome and Daniel Cundy have all been utterly fantastic to work with on it.’ A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: ‘The agreement that led to the quashing of the warrants relates specifically to a decision made by the court regarding the legal basis for these and is not a judgement on our ongoing investigation. We ensured the court was presented with all the necessary information and paperwork to inform their decision, following the correct legal processes throughout.’ Dealing with the media: ‘Having represented Mr Mountbatten- Windsor for several years, the media attention attached to this case was something that we had anticipated at the outset and have become used to managing. As with any high-profile case, we try not to let the media become a distraction from the task at hand.’ Why become a lawyer? ‘The better question might be why am I still a lawyer. Attracting people to the world of criminal litigation is easy. But with repeated legal aid cuts and unprecedented Crown court backlogs, getting people to stay in this profession is becoming increasingly challenging and criminal law is haemorrhaging talent as a result. I was incredibly fortunate to be raised in a firm where I had an excellent mentor and incredibly caring and supportive partners.’ Career high: ‘Being asked to become a partner at Blackfords, having started as a 21-year-old paralegal, was definitely a highlight, but the cherry on top was being told that the firm was making five other associates partners and we were all female.’
Why is she in the news? The firm represented Andrew Mountbatten- Windsor in successfully challenging the legality of search warrants obtained and executed by Thames Valley Police in February this year.
Thoughts on the case: ‘The police’s ability to search your home and seize your possessions is invasive and distressing. It is crucial that the powers to do so, bestowed on them by the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, are carefully marshalled and at all times lawful. Sections 8 and 9 of PACE were carefully crafted by parliament to encompass different scenarios. Unfortunately, on this occasion the Central Criminal Court granted the warrants under the incorrect provision.
They were unlawful and quite rightly fell to be quashed. Regardless of who our client is, everyone has the right to benefit from the protections that the PACE provides. Far too often search warrants go unchallenged and unchecked, often because the process is very expensive and complicated. I have been incredibly fortunate to be part of the phenomenal team who worked on this. Clare Montgomery KC and James Stansfeld of Matrix Chambers and my colleagues Gary Bloxsome and Daniel Cundy have all been utterly fantastic to work with on it.’ A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: ‘The agreement that led to the quashing of the warrants relates specifically to a decision made by the court regarding the legal basis for these and is not a judgement on our ongoing investigation. We ensured the court was presented with all the necessary information and paperwork to inform their decision, following the correct legal processes throughout.’ Dealing with the media: ‘Having represented Mr Mountbatten- Windsor for several years, the media attention attached to this case was something that we had anticipated at the outset and have become used to managing. As with any high-profile case, we try not to let the media become a distraction from the task at hand.’ Why become a lawyer? ‘The better question might be why am I still a lawyer. Attracting people to the world of criminal litigation is easy. But with repeated legal aid cuts and unprecedented Crown court backlogs, getting people to stay in this profession is becoming increasingly challenging and criminal law is haemorrhaging talent as a result. I was incredibly fortunate to be raised in a firm where I had an excellent mentor and incredibly caring and supportive partners.’ Career high: ‘Being asked to become a partner at Blackfords, having started as a 21-year-old paralegal, was definitely a highlight, but the cherry on top was being told that the firm was making five other associates partners and we were all female.’