Andrew Smith and Imran Shafi successfully argue for a stay of the indictment

June 16, 2015

Andrew Smith, instructed by Tuckers Solicitors, and Imran Shafi, instructed by Middleweeks, have successfully argued for a stay of the indictment in a high profile case where their respective defendants, together with eight others, were charged with producing industrial quantities of adulterant for onward supply to major drug dealers throughout the UK.

After significant delays in the 5 week trial, caused by serious failings within the Crown’s disclosure process, it was argued by counsel that the defendants could no longer receive a fair trial.

Following lengthy and detailed submissions HHJ Hatton sitting at Liverpool Crown Court stated that with some regret he had to agree and thereafter took the very unusual step of acceding to Counsel’s application to stay the indictment following abuse of the process of the court.

Andrew is a specialist criminal barrister who provides advice and advocacy for both the prosecution and defence. He is regularly instructed as both leading and led junior in the most serious cases and is a Category 4 Prosecutor.

Imran is a heavyweight criminal defence specialist who is instructed in the most serious criminal matters. He is frequently retained to defend serious drugs conspiracies, murder, gang violence and large scale immigration facilitation cases.