Who? Jenny Wiltshire, head of serious and general crime, Hickman & Rose, London.
Why is she in the news? The firm represented barrister Rajiv Menon KC, who successfully challenged an attempt to refer him for contempt following his closing speech on behalf of one of the Filton Palestine Action defendants charged with criminal damage.
Thoughts on the case: ‘This was unusual. I had never come across a case in which a judge in the Crown court had referred a contempt allegation to the High Court. Thankfully, I was not alone. Together with my colleague Stefano Ruis and Matrix Chambers’ Adrian Waterman KC and Anthony Hudson KC, we established that this process was not only completely novel but also – as we argued and the Court of Appeal ruled – unlawful.
‘I feel honoured to have acted in this matter. It is unprecedented for a barrister to face contempt proceedings because of a closing speech. This case raises much wider issues about how far barristers can go in defending their clients. The fact that my clients are not normally eminent human rights barristers meant this seemed much more like a “home game” than normal. I felt that if I got this one wrong, the result could negatively impact my, and every lawyer’s, ability to practise freely.’
Dealing with the media: ‘Although we argued that they were unnecessary, the Court of Appeal agreed to the prosecution’s request to impose reporting restrictions on this case. Despite this, there was intense media interest in what was happening. This came from both the specialist legal press and the more sober end of the mainstream media. They were generally respectful and understanding.’
Why become a lawyer? ‘I always had an interest in criminal justice, but growing up, I never met a lawyer. My school offered the option of work experience with the police. Thankfully, I was too short to be eligible. Instead, I got a work placement with Stephen Battersby – an incredible defence solicitor – and quickly realised this was the career for me.’
Career high: ‘There have been many, but one must be the successful appeal of Steve Simmons, who was wrongly convicted based on the evidence of corrupt police officer Derek Ridgewell. This result paved the way for many others to have their convictions quashed and for an investigation to be launched, which remains ongoing, by British Transport Police into police corruption.’
Career low: ‘I hate having to break the news to clients who have, for years, put their lives on hold as they await trial, that their case has been delayed again due to a lack of available judges.’
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