Exchange Chambers barristers act for prosecution in Hillsborough trial

January 14, 2019

Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has today gone on trial at Preston Crown Court facing 95 charges of gross negligence manslaughter following the crush in the terrace pens at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday’s ground (Hillsborough) at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.

Under the law at the time, there can be no prosecution for the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland, as he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused.

Also on trial is former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell who is charged with an offence involving the stadium safety certificate and a health and safety offence.

Charlotte Atherton and Natalia Cornwall from Exchange Chambers are acting as second junior counsel for the prosecution, having originally been instructed as disclosure counsel in the case.

Charlotte acts for both the prosecution and defence. She is a specialist criminal practitioner with experience in a wide range of criminal matter. She prosecutes on behalf of the CPS (Category 3), DWP, Local Authorities, Health and Safety Executive and Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. She has been admitted to the CPS Fraud Panel and the Regulatory Panel (Category B).

Natalia is a highly experienced criminal practitioner. She prosecutes and defends and has experience in a wide range of criminal matters. She is a Category 3 prosecutor and is regularly instructed to prosecute cases on behalf of Local Authorities, the DWP, the Environment Agency and the Department of Innovation and Skills.