R. v Nguyen (Hanh Tuyet) [2022] EWCA Crim 1444
Barristers’ strike: leading case on approach on sentencing in absence of Counsel.
Ben, leading Emma King, appeared for the Crown in this appeal. The Appellant’s barristers did not appear at her sentence. One was on holiday. The other was taking part in the Criminal Bar Association days of strike action. Ben urged the Judge to adjourn the sentence of the Appellant. He declined to do so.
The Court of Appeal held he had erred in doing so. The Court of Appeal said, “The efforts made by the judge and prosecuting counsel to assist the appellant at [the sentencing] hearing were praiseworthy”.