September 25, 2014
Samantha Leigh has successfully prosecuted two QCs and their juniors in a ground-breaking case at Basildon Crown Court. A case involving a young and very vulnerable complainant was conducted without the need for cross examination. Instead, the ABE (Achieving Best Evidence) interviews were played to the court and at their conclusion both leading counsel set out to the jury what the issues were and the points they did not accept.
This case shows how experienced advocates, trained and highly skilled in conducting serious allegations of sexual abuse, can work together to ensure that a defendant may have a fair trial without always requiring the complainant to be questioned.