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NLJ this week: The dangers of suppressing evidence

03 February 2023
Issue: 8011 / Categories: Legal News , Disclosure , Procedure & practice , Sanctions
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Barrister Dr Mike Wilkinson discusses the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of disclosure, in this week’s NLJ

In a fascinating article, available here, he covers the seriousness of suppressing documents and other evidence, including such unfathomable incidents as accidentally losing a phone in the North Sea (Vardy v Rooney).

Wilkinson, of 18 St John Street Chambers, covers the Roman law of ‘exploitation’ (wanton destruction of evidence), the drawing of adverse inferences where a document is ‘conspicuous by its absence’, and much more. He warns of the risk of penalty, noting ‘there are plenty of sanctions short of a complete strike-out’ which the court can apply. 

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Tech companies will be legally required to prevent material that encourages or assists serious self-harm appearing on their platforms, under Online Safety Act 2023 regulations due to come into force in the autumn
Commercial leasehold, the defence of insanity and ‘consent’ in the criminal law are among the next tranche of projects for the Law Commission
The Bar has a culture of ‘impunity’ and ‘collusive bystanding’ in which making a complaint is deemed career-ending due to a ‘cohort of untouchables’ at the top, Baroness Harriet Harman KC has found
Lawyers have broadly welcomed plans to electronically tag up to 22,000 more offenders, scrap most prison terms below a year and make prisoners ‘earn’ early release
The ex-wife of a Russian billionaire has won her bid to bring her financial relief claim in London, in a unanimous Court of Appeal decision
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