Leave justice to someone you don’t know?

Barristers are strangers. Think about it.

You will have had some conversations with your solicitor and hopefully the issue of mitigation has been discussed. You will then be told that you will be able to discuss mitigation with the Barrister before your sentencing. True? Yes, sort of.

Sentencings are scheduled as a block, all starting at the same time. There are sound reasons for this, as some cases may be delayed by late witnesses or waiting for key information, and therefore the order of the cases can be easily changed.

This is where the problems start. Because, if you are first up, you may have 30 minutes with your Barrister where you will discuss mitigation, often for the first time. They will make notes and then form a mitigation strategy then and there which is not likely to be complete and far too late to make any proactive steps to mitigation. And it gets worse, because the Barrister can’t say anything factual that can’t be proved. For example, if you have been accepted on a training course, but can’t show an email or other conformation, this will not be mentioned.

There is now another way. You need time, a clear strategy and real focus on your case and your mitigation. Call us to discuss – it may be the most important call you make.