FTB PUPILS WIN LORD SLYNN OF HADLEY MOOTING TROPHY

Chambers is pleased to announce that Rebecca Clutten and Ned Westaway, pupils at FTB, have won the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association (UKELA) annual mooting competition.  Lord Justice Carnwath, who judged the final, presented them with the trophy.

The final was an appeal against sentence by a paint manufacturer for water pollution and waste offences; the moot judge upheld Rebecca and Ned's arguments that the fine was manifestly excessive and that the sentencing judge had applied an improper method of calculation to reach it.  The debate focussed on implications of the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 under which appeals against civil sanctions will begin being heard later this year.  The judge was not persuaded that, as yet, the civil sanctions regime could have any application to the criminal law and affirmed the approach of the courts in cases such as R v Yorkshire Water Services Ltd [2002] Cr App R (S) 13.

Lord Justice Carnwath praised the winnners' confidence and knowledge.  Chambers welcomes back the Lord Slynn of Hadley Mooting Trophy which it also held in 2008.  Rebecca and Ned begin their second 6 months of pupillage at FTB in April and will be available for work.