David Birrell, John Wyn Williams, Peter Killen and Robert Wyn Jones act in Modern Slavery trial

December 1, 2016

Barristers from Exchange Chambers have represented a range of clients in a Modern Slavery trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

David Birrell, instructed by Quinn Melville, represented NP (one of 12 defendants), a Vietnamese man charged with Conspiracy to Produce Cannabis on an industrial scale.

NP claimed that he was the victim of human trafficking and had been forced to grow the cannabis. Advancing the new ‘Modern Slavery’ defence under s.45 Modern Slavery Act 2015, David Birrell also introduced expert evidence from a Professor of International Relations.  The defence was successful and NP was acquitted after a 6 week trial.

Three of the other defendants were represented by Exchange Chambers barristers John Wyn Williams (instructed by Sonn Macmillan Walker) and Peter Killen (instructed by Forbes) and Robert Wyn Jones (instructed by ABR Solicitors).

David has a busy practice with specialisms in serious crime, professional discipline and local government work. He is a talented and persuasive advocate. John is a senior criminal practitioner who defends and prosecutes serious matters in the Crown Court. Peter is a highly experienced advocate with a burgeoning criminal practice. Robert is a highly experienced criminal advocate who defends and prosecutes the full range of criminal work.

Exchange Chambers will be running a seminar on the Modern Slavery Act in early 2017.  Further details will follow shortly.