The Independent Review of the Criminal Courts by Sir Brian Leveson was published in July 2025 and includes 45 recommendations which, if adopted, will have a significant impact on the criminal justice system.
This panel discussion will examine some of the key recommendations and consider the implications for defendants and victims of crime and those working in the criminal justice system.
Panellists:
Mark Fenhalls KC practises in Crime at 23ES. Mark was Chair of the Bar in 2022, Chair of the CBA (2015-16) and Leader of the South Eastern Circuit (2019-20).
HH Wendy Joseph KC was a judge at the Old Bailey until March 2022 sitting on criminal cases. She was also a Diversity and Community Relations Judge. Since her retirement from the Bench, she has authored two books on the criminal justice system: Rough Justice, and Unlawful Killings (a Sunday Times bestseller).
Professor Cheryl Thomas KC is Professor of Judicial Studies in the UCL Faculty of Laws. She is the first chair in judicial studies in the United Kingdom, and is also Director of the UCL Judicial Institute and UCL Jury Project. Professor Thomas is the country’s leading expert on judges and juries.
The discussion will be moderated by Joshua Rozenberg KC.
Event details
Location: Large Pension Room
Date and registration time: Tuesday 10 February, 5.30pm
Who can attend: Open to all student members of the Inn and barristers within 3 years call
Dress Code: Smart Casual
Cost:
- Students (Gray’s Inn student members only) and barristers within 3 years of Call: £10
- Barristers £12
- Online £6
How to book
Book online via the Gray’s Inn Online System (GIOS).
Qualifying Session
Qualifying Session (QS): 1 QS/CPD
This event qualifies as Qualifying Session for student members and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Barrister members of the Inn
Theme:
- Legal knowledge, Justice and the Rule of Law
- Prep for Pupillage Career Development and Wellbeing
Learning aims:
1. Consider the implications of the review on the administration of justice and those in the criminal justice system.
2. Discuss the key recommendations and the route to implementation.
3. Analyse the impact of the proposed changes on those in the early years of practice.
This QS relates to the following elements of the Professional Statement for Barristers:
1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 4.1
To be awarded the QS for this event you are required to join the event on time and stay for the full duration of the event. Please enter your full name when joining the event so that we can record attendance and update the QS records accordingly. This can take up to two weeks.
Please see Qualifying Sessions for further information.