Friends' Dinner 2018 Speakers: Jonathan Goldberg QC & Prof Nigel Eastman

Date: 28/11/18

Time: 6pm

Venue: Apothecaries Hall

Prices

• Members: £0.00
• Non-members: £0.00
• Students: £0.00

BAFS is delighted to announce for the Friends’ Dinner a debate between two eminent speakers on the recently successful appeal of Marine A. This year’s dinner will be at the historic venue of the Society of Apothecaries. Marine A was diagnosed post offence with ‘adjustment disorder’ and the Court of Appeal overturned his conviction for murder for a clearly determined killing during action. Is the case an example of inconsistency in the application of the defence, or does it reflect the law’s ability properly to be flexible in the pursuit of justice? The debate will address whether Marine A was treated more leniently than civilian defendants with similarly minor mental disorders who claim diminished responsibility

Jonathan Goldberg QC is known as one of the United Kingdom’s leading trial advocates and defenders. His rate of acquittals in high-profile jury trials is second to none. He has defended in over a hundred murder trials and has expertise in civil cases where there is an interface of civil and criminal disciplines. Mr Goldberg has appeared in courts throughout the United Kingdom as well as Malaysia, Ireland, Bermuda, the Caymans and Gibraltar. He has argued frequently in the House of Lords, Court of Appeal and Privy Council.

Nigel Eastman is Emeritus Professor of Law and Ethics in Psychiatry at St George’s, University of London and an Honorary Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist in the National Health Service. A major focus of his work has been in regard to matters of public policy concerning law and psychiatry, including on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. He has, for example, given evidence to Parliamentary Select Committees, and been an adviser to the Law Commission, for example in relation reform of the partial defences to murder and insanity

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