Disclosure and large major inquiries conference: principles, good practice and pitfalls

The 2012 review by Lord Justices Gross and Treacy into failures surrounding disclosure was the precursor to the revised Judicial and Attorney General Protocols published in December 2013. Yet, the disclosure regime remains problematic and continues to dog the effective investigation and prosecution of criminal offences, particular large major inquiries.

Material non-disclosure also remains the biggest cause of miscarriages of justice. Last year saw the first Independent Police Complaints Commission investigation against officers arising out of disclosure failings. Quashed convictions, re-trials, compensation payments and the risk of the institution of disciplinary and in some cases criminal proceedings are all possible consequences of the failure to get disclosure right.

In order to address the issues disclosure in large major inquiries can give rise to, the Covert Policing Conference and Publishing Company has put together a practical and unrivalled day of presentations from leaders in the field. The objectives of this essential event are:

- to ensure delegates are fully up to date with the legislation, Code of Practice and key decided cases

- evolving an issues-based approach to disclosure

- avoiding miscarriages of justice

- protecting disclosure of sensitive material through public interest immunity applications

- understanding defence tactics

Conference Programme

0930 - 1000 Arrival, registration and refreshments

1000 - 1030 Keynote address: the law on redactions following the Ratcliffe on Soar and Drax cases: Simon McKay, Solicitor Adv

1030 - 1115 Legislative provisions, the Code of Practice and recent cases on disclosure Don Ramble, Barrister, 5 Saint Andrew’s

1115 - 1135 Tea & Coffee break

1135 - 1230 Adopting an issues-led approach to disclosure by Simon McKay, Solicitor Advocate

1230 - 1330 Lunch

1330 - 1400 Material non-disclosure and miscarriages by David Smith, Commissioner to the Criminal Cases Review Commission

1400 - 1440 Public Interest Immunity: protecting sources, techniques and methodology by Zubair Ahmad, Barrister, 2 Hare Court

1440 - 1500 Tea & Coffee break

1500 - 1550 Understanding defence tactics and approaches to disclosure by David Corker, Partner, Corker Binning

1550 – 1600 Conference close

For further information or to book your place email: info@covertpolicing.com or call 0845 123 5571 for a booking form

www.covertpolicing.com