Alistair Webster KC Exposes Local Authority Flaws In Environmental Acquittal

Alistair Webster KC, instructed by Michael Balmer of Weightmans Solicitors, has just successfully represented a nationally renowned company charged with failing to keep control over its waste. It had been convicted before the lay justices, but Alistair, having then been brought in to advise, successfully argued that the convictions should be set aside because the justices did not have any jurisdiction. On the retriaL, the DJ found that there had been serious failings in the investigation and acquitted the company.

Alistair says: “Putting this prosecution under proper scrutiny revealed management and investigative failures in the prosecuting council which are very concerning. The position is aggravated in that there is no longer a power for the magistrates to award defence costs out of central funds where there is an acquittal. It is therefore particularly incumbent upon prosecutors to scrutinise what their investigators have done before thinking of charging. A conviction would have done significant harm to my clients reputation.”

For more information, or to instruct Alistair Webster KC, please contact Director of Clerking, David Wright