History in the making?
Doughty St faces fallout as ex-barrister is sentenced
Nina Goswami
17-Sep-2007
Doughty Street Chambers is set to brave a storm created by former barrister Bruce Hyman, who is being sentenced for perverting the course of justice on Wednesday (19 September).
Hyman, who left chambers after being ordered to by the judge at his plea hearing, could make legal history by becoming the first barrister in 800 years to be imprisoned for this charge.
Once sentenced, Hyman could face disciplinary action in front of the Bar Standards Board, as his Inn is unlikely to accept the barrister voluntarily disbarring himself.
Hyman, a former radio and television producer, represented ex-radio executive Karen Sanders Young in her battle for custody of her child with former banker Simon Eades.
During the case Hyman faked an email from campaign group Families Need Fathers, which had a judgment of a case claiming to set a precedent allowing Eades rights to access, which he sent to Eades.
When Eades produced this as evidence he found himself brought up on charges of perverting the course of justice after Hyman claimed it was a false judgment. In his defence, Eades traced the email to a London electronics shop where Hyman was caught on CCTV sending the fake document.
Charges against Eades were dropped and Hyman was brought in front of Judge Michael Selfe, who warned the barrister not to expect leniency from a system he had abused.
One senior clerk at a top 30 set told The Lawyer: "These stigmas tend to stick to that barrister and any long-term clients of others in chambers tend to stay loyal," said the clerk. "It's going to be question of Doughty Street drawing a veil on it and weathering the storm."
Doughty Street declined to comment.
UPDATE: History is made. Producer lawyer jailed for 12 months.
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
The Judicial System...it's all fucking corrupt!!
ReplyDeleteIt would appear that the corruption bug infecting our present political leaders has now crossed over into the Judiciary.
ReplyDeleteShould not DEFRA impose a movement cordon around Lincoln's Inn Fields, and instigate an immediate cull?
Off topic - I'm glad to see you are still holding the MacCanns to account.
Such a shame that the learned one was unable to consult Virgin McCann, the BBC, Sky and the entire british media cesspit; it'd probably never have gone to court. Stanislav not understand British sense of unfair play. In my country make revolution over Virgin McCann. People on streets, throw stones at lying Philomena McCann. And snot-eating prime minister. And foreign secretary, Millipede. And Richard and Judy Wotsit.
ReplyDelete