Free Seminar – Crisis of Conscience?  A defence of jury equity

The importance of juries to the legitimacy of the criminal justice system and the ability of juries to acquit ‘according to conscience’ have both been in the news recently. Government proposals to cut the right to trial by jury to a handful of cases will affect huge swathes of cases but will have a particular impact on protest cases, where hugely significant political issues often arise, where the issues and impact extend beyond the facts of the particular case and where it is often thought that the power of the jury to acquit ‘according to conscience’ is most important. The Court of Appeal’s recent decision in Webster [2026] EWCA Crim 9 has done little to explain or clarify the scope of jury equity.

Speakers:

Stephanie Harrison KC, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers (Chair)
Stephanie Harrison KC is a leading public law practitioner who has appeared at all court levels. Her multi-disciplinary practice spans the breadth of public law and civil liberties. Stephanie’s cases include those arising from unlawful detention, national security, official misconduct, abuse of power, child sexual exploitation, equality and discrimination, minority rights and civil rights protest and injunctions. She also has considerable expertise in cases involving closed material procedures. Stephanie is ranked for Administrative and Public Law, Civil Liberties and Human Rights and Immigration in both the Legal 500 and Chambers UK Bar Guide.

Tom Wainwright, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Tom Wainwright has a formidable reputation as a passionate defender and a powerful advocate. He has appeared in some of the most high-profile cases of recent years including the Colston statue topplers, the Hatton Garden burglary, the ‘Stansted 15’ protestors and a number of large-scale international frauds. Tom has acted in a great many ground-breaking appeals, with twelve cases in the current edition of Archbold. Tom has a particular interest and experience in Serious Fraud and Confiscation, Protest Cases, Terrorism, and Criminal Appeals. He is regularly instructed as Leading Junior Counsel in high-profile cases of significant complexity and legal importance. As lead author on The Protest Handbook, Tom specialises in upholding protestors’ rights under Articles 8, 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and challenging the excessive or unlawful use of force by police officers.

Russell Fraser, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers 
Russell Fraser is a criminal defence specialist with experience defending in a range of cases including murder, terrorism, serious violence, fraud, and drug supply. He is particularly interested in public order, protest, and terrorism. He has also represented clients in the parole board and prison adjudications, as well as before the mental health tribunal. Russell is currently instructed in the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

Elena Papamichael, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Described as an “outstanding junior barrister and incredibly clever with first-class knowledge of the law” by The Legal 500 (2026).  Elena Papamichael is a first choice for serious, complex, document-heavy and multi-handed trials. She is a specialist in representing children in the Crown Court and has expertise in successfully challenging evidence, including so-called ‘gang’ evidence, drill music, and cell site. She also regularly undertakes judicial review work and has been ranked as a rising star in Administrative Law & Human Rights two years in a row. Elena is also part of the specialist protest law team. In DPP v Manchester City Magistrates Court [2023] EWHC 2938 (Admin) Elena was led by Tom Wainwright representing the first Interested Party. They were successful in the High Court in a judicial review by the DPP of an acquittal in relation to protest rights.

Reserve your ticket
In-person tickets are limited by the venue’s capacity. After you have completed the form, we will be back in touch to confirm whether a place is available at the event.