Cameron Brown QC appointed ICP Chair for the HCPC

Congratulations to Cameron Brown QC, who is to be appointed as a Legally Qualified Chair (LQC) of the Investigating Committee Panel (ICP) for The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

The Health and Care Professions Council protects the public by regulating 15 health and care professions. The Investigating Committee Panel's role is to consider the evidence put before them and determine whether there is a case to answer in respect of any allegations laid against a regulated professional.
Each panel is made up of three members including a Legally Qualified Chair, a senior professional from the relevant profession and a lay person.

Cameron's role begins with immediate effect, to last for an initial period of 2 years.

More info here: [HCPC]

Cameron Brown QC prosecutes Anabolic Steroid Importation, Underground Manufacture and Distribution Network.

Cameron Brown QC, leading Ben Holt, was instructed by the Organised Crime Division of the CPS and the NCA in the prosecution of a global anabolic importation, manufacture and distribution case, which saw its final member jailed in December 2020.

Sentences totalling in excess of 20 years were imposed. Confiscation proceedings are now ongoing.

Following an initial seizure in Belfast in 2014, an extensive unlicensed importation operation was uncovered. Tons of unlicensed steroids, worth millions of pounds, had and were being brought into the UK from India, via Singapore and Europe.

Further investigation led to the discovery of a fully equipped and operational, underground steroids laboratory near Heathrow. Packaging for £45m pounds worth of steroids had been acquired for the laboratory.

The investigation was led by the National Crime Agency, supported by the MHRA and other agencies. The NCA described it the criminal enterprise as “the most prolific of its kind ever uncovered” and the crime group behind it “a global player”.

News links:

[NCA]

[Daily Mail]

[BBC]

Red Lion launches Mentoring Programme with East London Business Alliance

Chambers launched the 2020-2021 Mentoring programme in partnership with ELBA on 2nd December.

The soft launch saw presentations from both Chambers and ELBA. A competitive sifting process meant students participating were all at different stages in their studies.

16 mentors, 6 of whom were Queen's Counsel, were placed with 16 mentees and sent to virtual breakout rooms to meet, share knowledge and exchange ideas.

RLC members taking part included Gillian Jones QC, Riel Karmy-Jones QC, Jenni Dempster QC, Michelle Nelson QC, Michael Goodwin QC, Cameron Brown QC, Hannah Willcocks, Sailesh Mehta, Alistair Fell, Lucy Ginsberg, Sam Roake, Genevieve Reed, Nicholas Hall, Caroline Baker, Georgia Lassoff and Zoe Chapman.

Michelle Nelson QC, RLC Mentoring Lead said:

"Chambers put a lot of thought and work into the ELBA Mentoring programme and how we can best aid those looking for a career at the Bar. We now have a more structured programme with an online library of materials and resources available to our mentees. We will hold a number of mentoring sessions throughout the next few months and hope the programme will culminate in a mock trial."

For more information please see: [RLC Social Responsibility] and [Shift25] for our other partnered initiative with [ELBA].

Red Lion Lectures 2019

Last year the set launched a lecture series which is described as ‘unprecedented’ by clients: ‘These events are invaluable to the solicitors’ profession in terms of continued professional development and are very much highly regarded.’ The Red Lion Lectures 2019 In association with The Dickson …

RLC ranked Tier 1 in Crime and POCA as The Legal 500 release 2021 edition

Red Lion Chambers is pleased to announce that it has been ranked in Tier 1 in the practice areas of Crime (General and Fraud), POCA and Asset Forfeiture in 2021 rankings just released.

RLC has also maintained several top tier rankings in this year’s Legal 500 and is highly recommended across 11 practice areas which include Crime, POCA and Asset Forfeiture, Fraud including Civil Fraud, International Crime and Extradition, Financial Services Regulation, Tax, Environment, Health and Safety, Professional disciplinary and regulatory law and Sport.

New Silks of 2020 include Allison Clare QC for her 'incisive mind and authoritative approach to cases' and Cameron Brown QC ‘A superb advocate who is calm, strategic and a formidable opponent'. New entry, Valerie Charbit was ranked in Health and Safety for 'a long and successful track record in this field'.

The 2021 guide stated that RLC was 'a first port of call for heavyweight criminal and fraud cases... a formidable reputation as a leading set in criminal and regulatory law with members acting for both the defence and prosecution'.

Former members were highlighted for occupying high profile positions following their time at the Bar, including both High and Crown Court judges, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Chief Coroner of England and Wales, the Recorder of London, Director of the SFO and General Counsel to the SFO.

Special mention was also given to RLConsulting-a new initiative led by Dame Linda Dobbs, providing consulting
services including judicial and legal training.

Gillian Jones QC & Tony Shaw QC – Joint Heads of Chambers said:

“We are delighted to have been ranked in Tier 1 for our exceptional work in Crime and POCA. We also want to congratulate the fantastic individual rankings of our members who have been recognised across numerous practice areas. Members constantly strive to provide clients with the highest quality service and Chambers are delighted to appear in this years’ Legal 500 and recognised, yet again, as one of the Leading Sets at the Bar.”

To read 2021 rankings please see: [Legal500]

Cameron Brown QC appears in a landmark decision

Cameron Brown QC appears in the landmark decision of R v Jon Andrewes, 2020 EWCA Crim 1055, which examined whether it was proportionate to make a confiscation order against Mr Andrewes, who had earned a salary for a number of years despite making false representations to obtain his employment ('CV fraud').

The Court of Appeal found for Mr Andrewes but has certified the case for the Supreme court, although permission to appeal has not been granted.

Read more here: [Lexology]

Cameron Brown QC talks to podcast ‘The World’s Greatest Lawyer’ about his journey as a Lawyer.

Cameron Brown QC joins Ben Wilson for podcast 'The World's Greatest Lawyer' where he recalls his journey as a US qualified lawyer and barrister. He recounts his reasons for coming to the Bar, difficulties in obtaining pupillage, the challenges of working at the Bar, including mental health, and the experience of becoming a new silk earlier this year.

In his early 20s, Cameron spent a year in the States working in the US Criminal Justice System , working in Louisiana and Texas and fighting appeal cases for those on 'Death Row'. Working on multiple murder cases, often involving children, was a life defining moment. On one occasion he recalls:

""I had to take a statement from the wife of a drug dealer involved in a drive by shooting. Her husband came home early and chased me down the street with a baseball bat. He destroyed my rental car with the same bat and I had to change addresses various times that night as I was frankly terrified of what would happen if he got hold of me!'

On becoming a new silk earlier this year, Cameron recalls in the podcast the surreal moment of experiencing Silk's Day - which was one of the last public ceremonies to happen as London began went into Lockdown.

"We were one of the last public ceremonies to happen. The waiter was ushering us along in the restaurant after the ceremony as he wanted to close the place down. It felt like the whole world was shutting down! ....I am very much looking forward to appearing as a QC in person in Court"

To hear the interview in full please click here:[SPOTIFY PODCAST]

LONDON LEGAL WALK

RLC members joined the legal community walking and 'stepping' from a multitude of city and country locations in London's 'Virtual' Legal Walk of 2020

In light of the Covid-19 outbreak, fundraising for free legal advice services is more critical than ever if agencies are to continue doing their jobs in preventing homelessness, resolving debt problems, gaining care for the elderly, and fighting discrimination and exploitation.

In response, RLC members took on the '10,000 steps for Justice' challenge to raise funds in support of these free specialist legal advice services.

The Red Lion 'Steppers' included: Antony Shaw QC, Jeremy Benson QC, Allison Clare QC, Tom Forster QC, Jane Bewsey QC, Riel Karmy-Jones Q.C., Cameron Brown QC, Professor Laura Hoyano, Laura Jane Miller, Janine Sheff, Sam Smart, Mark Bennett, Nick Parkinson, Lee Young, Rachel Shepherd, Nicholas Hall and Zoe Chapman.

Locations included: Hilperton near west Wiltshire, the old Surrey Canal, Stratford St.Mary (Suffolk) via Flatford Mill and the River Stour, the Wandle Trail, South Downs National Park, East Hertfordshire farmlands, Kent, Worth Park Lake in Crawley, Oxleas Wood in Greenwich as well as the streets of Bermondsey, Walworth and Peckham in London. Four legged furry friends also joined in to assist: Alfie, Annie and Rocco and Cameron Brown QC 'served up an ace' completing his 10,000 steps sweating it out on the tennis court! (Pictures below)

Chambers will support the Free Representation Unit and Advocate with the funds raised. For more info see here : [Red Lion Chambers Walkers 2020]

In view of the potential new financial risks posed by the Corona Virus pandemic, Cameron Brown QC and Sam Smart (Pupil Barrister) review the work of the FCA.

In view of the potential new financial risks posed by the Corona Virus pandemic, Cameron Brown QC and Sam Smart (Pupil Barrister) review the work of the FCA in tackling financial crime and the new challenges it may face.

See article here: FCA Article

The article also appeared in the following publications:

Lexology

GBRR

Cameron Brown QC, along with Hugh Davies QC, presented the first ever Webinar for the Association of Regulatory and Disciplinary Lawyers (ARDL).

The webinar was in relation to Police disciplinary proceedings and considered the recently introduced Police Conduct Regulations 2020. The new Regulations reflect a drive to ensure that Police disciplinary investigations are conducted effectively and quickly, that cases are only brought to a misconduct hearing when appropriate and proportionate to do so, that cases are actively case managed and that there are further options for Panels to consider in relation to outcome. A copy of the presentation is available here: ARDL Presentation

Congratulations to members Allison Clare and Cameron Brown who have been appointed Queen’s Counsel

Allison Clare and Cameron Brown have been appointed Queen's Counsel in today's announcements made by the Lord Chancellor.

Allison Clare specialises in complex fraud and corruption work, both acting in criminal cases and advising major corporate clients with Cameron Brown principally instructed in serious fraud and corruption cases regularly acting as leading Counsel in such cases.

Co-Heads of Chambers Gillian Jones QC and Tony Shaw QC said:

"It is with great pleasure and pride that we celebrate the appointment of two new Queen’s Counsel and congratulate Allison Clare and Cameron Brown.

Such success comes after years of hard work on the part of each successful candidate, and is a testament to the talent and potential of Red Lion Chambers. We pride ourselves in recruiting only the best.

It also reveals the excellent support and dedication shown by our exceptionally strong practice direction team. Under the leadership of Mark Bennett (Practice Director) and Nick Parkinson (Deputy Practice Director), our staff bring out the best in leaders and juniors alike. Achieving the distinction of silk requires a team effort between barrister and staff in every case. The success of Red Lion Chambers throughout 2019 demonstrates our strength and depth."

Today's appointments sees Red Lion Chambers achieve a total of 15 appointments to silk in the last 4 years with one of the highest number of female silks across the Bar.

Cameron Brown has successfully led the prosecution, at the Central Criminal Court, of a major gang involved in the importation and distribution of unlicensed anabolic steroids…

Cameron Brown has successfully led the prosecution, at the Central Criminal Court, of a major gang involved in the importation and distribution of unlicensed anabolic steroids (AAS) from India and Singapore. The gang imported more than 40 tonnes of illicit anabolic steroids and is said to be ‘the most prolific of its kind ever uncovered'.

One member of that gang was also linked to another gang involved in the production and distribution of steroids from an underground AAS factory in the United Kingdom.

Five Defendants were convicted following two six week trials.

Sentencing is due on 15th July 2019.

[PRESS LINKS [TELEGRAPH][INDEPENDANT]]

Cameron Brown, secures conviction for CPS; Fake £1m NHS boss Jon Andrewes jailed for two years

[bbc news link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-39183882]

A bogus NHS boss who lied about his qualifications and raked in more than £1m has been jailed for two years.

Jon Andrewes, 63, from Totnes, misled a Somerset hospice where he was chief executive from 2004 and Torbay Care Trust when he became chairman in 2007.

He also misled Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust where he became chairman in 2015.

Exeter Crown Court Judge Geoffrey Mercer told Andrewes that for 10 years “your outwardly prestigious life was based on a staggering series of lies”.

More on the NHS fraudster, plus more Devon and Cornwall news

Andrewes admitted obtaining money by deception when he secured a job at the St Margaret’s Hospice in Somerset, and two counts of fraud.

These related to making misleading statements before he was appointed as chairman of the Torbay Care Trust and of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust (RCHT).

His total earnings from the health bodies between 2005-16 was £1,072,076.

Among the fake claims he called himself “Dr”, despite him not having a PHD.

Andrewes also falsely claimed degrees from Edinburgh, Plymouth and Bristol universities, although he did have a Higher Education Certificate in Social Work.

He had actually spent most of his career as a probation officer, customs officer or youth worker.

Chairman of St Margaret’s Hospice, Michael Clark, who appointed Andrewes, said the hospice made “significant progress” under his leadership and he had “no doubts about his ability to do the job”.

But he would not have employed Andrewes if he had known about the fake qualifications.

Cameron Brown, prosecuting, told the court that Andrewes’ employment was a mixed bag with a range of performance, and he was “not actively doing damage”.

But he said the grounds for prosecution were “not his performance but the fact he was there”.

Cameron Brown secures 11 convictions relating to untaxed counterfeit cigarette distribution network

Cameron Brown as leading junior successfully lead an HMRC investigation into this cigarette distribution network. In total 11 Defendants were convicted at Nottingham Crown Court. Sentencing and confiscation hearing to take place in August 2018