Modern Slavery Act: a practical guide to section 45

This in-person event is brought to you by the Garden Court Criminal Defence Team.

This event will provide an introduction to the Modern Slavery Act section 45 defence and a practical guide to how it is used. It will be chaired by Garden Court's Michael Ivers KC and Kate Aubrey-Johnson, head of the Youth Justice & Child Rights Team. Garden Court Criminal Defence barristers, including Meredoc McMinn, Jennifer Twite, Audrey Cherryl Mogan and Elena Papamichael will support the presentation with accounts of examples from their cases. 

Speakers will also be joined by Gemma Loughran and Steven Galliver-Andrew of the Garden Court Immigration Team.

Following the presentation, the team will answer questions and discuss the way forward, as well as what may be required to reverse R v Brecani.

Speakers include

Michael Ivers KC, Garden Court Chambers (Co-Chair)
Michael has a busy practice in criminal defence. He has represented in a number of murder trials in recent years as well as human trafficking, serious drug offences, revenue fraud and sexual offences. Michael is well respected for his flair before the jury and his ability to hold the confidence of the court and clients alike. He has a friendly, approachable and highly creative style. Additionally, his human rights work in Strasbourg comprises many landmark cases.

Kate Aubrey-Johnson, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers (Co-Chair)
Kate is a youth justice specialist barrister and mediator with experience as a criminal defence practitioner and public lawyer. She has particular interest and expertise in representing children and vulnerable defendants, offences involving public order and freedom of expression. Kate is a co-author of the leading textbook 'Youth Justice Law and Practice'.

Jennifer Twite, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Jennifer has been involved in a number of high-profile cases involving the rights of children within the criminal justice system at all levels up to the Supreme Court. She also undertakes criminal appellate work including referrals to the Criminal Cases Review Commission. She co-authored 'Youth Justice Law and Practice' and sits as a Deputy District Judge in the Magistrates’ Court. She regularly provides training to professionals on youth justice issues.

Audrey Cherryl Mogan, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Audrey Cherryl Mogan is a criminal defence barrister with particular expertise in defending victims of trafficking, protestors, and vulnerable defendants, including those with mental health issues and drug addiction. Audrey has experience representing vulnerable child defendants, particularly those in care and with mental health issues. She has represented a number of child defendants in both the Crown Court and on certificates for counsel in the Youth Court and is regularly instructed to defend children who show indications of being victims of trafficking and modern slavery.

Meredoc McMinn, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Meredoc is a criminal defence barrister, who appears in the Crown, Magistrates and Youth Courts, representing clients for all types of offences. He is experienced in representing vulnerable clients and youth. He is also experienced in dealing with children who have been exploited or trafficked for the purpose of criminal activity, using the s45 Modern Slavery Act 2015, and in following-up National Referral Mechanism (NRM) reasonable grounds decisions.

Elena Papamichael, Barrister, Garden Court Chambers
Elena regularly represents clients in the Crown Court and has successfully defended young people and adults, including those charged with serious assaults, affray, weapons, drugs, robbery and burglary. She is particularly interested in cases with a human rights aspect, including gang evidence; modern slavery defences and public order & protest.