Writing in NLJ this week, Cameron Brown KC of Red Lion Chambers examines R v Grochiatskij, involving two convicted money launderers who sought new legal teams for Proceeds of Crime Act proceedings.
Their conviction appeals blamed their representatives, but those allegations were rejected. The Crown Court then refused to transfer legal aid and revoked the existing orders.
When the defendants refused to attend, the judge proceeded in their absence and imposed confiscation orders exceeding £14m each, with 14-year default terms.
The Court of Appeal upheld the approach, finding their disadvantages were ‘entirely of their own making’.
Brown warns that defendants have no unrestricted right to change lawyers at public expense. Nor must prosecutors undertake endless further investigations to revisit convictions: disclosure requires consideration of material that might cast doubt on their safety.
