Top QC addresses Young Norwood Lawyers Reception
Top QC David Pannnick, described by the Chambers Guide as “the supreme advocate of his generation”, was the very special guest speaker at the annual YN Lawyers Reception, in aid of leading UK charity Norwood. The event, chaired by Daily Telegraph Legal Editor Joshua Rozenberg, was organised by the YN Lawyers Committee and held at the offices of Goldman Sachs. Sponsored by property law firm Brecher, the evening was attended by nearly 250 young legal professionals and raised £26,000 for Norwood to support its work with children, adults and families living with learning disability or coping with social difficulties.
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David Pannick addressed the audience on a number of legal issues, before taking part in a Q and A session chaired by Joshua Rozenberg. He argued passionately against the principle of extending the length of time that a suspect can be detained without charge from 28 to 42 days, saying: “The government has failed to produce a coherent case to explain why it is necessary to detain someone for 42 days without charge. There is a grave danger that, in times of crisis, the reaction will be to sacrifice the liberties we all depend upon. Our response to international terrorism should not be to abandon the values that we are fighting for.”
When asked whether he had ever turned down a case because of his Jewish faith, he responded: “No. It is vital that barristers are completely independent and I believe that everybody has the right to have their case put – my decision to represent somebody is always on professional grounds. For example, I acted for Saudi Arabia in a case where two people who claimed to have been tortured by the Saudi authorities were trying to gain the right to sue them in this country.”
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Guests had begun the evening with a champagne and canapés reception before entering the entering the auditorium to watch a fundraising film about Norwood’s Employment Service, which identifies job opportunities for adults with a learning disability and prepares them to enter the work environment. The film focused on two Norwood service users who have successfully found jobs, and demonstrated the huge difference this has made to their lives.
Speaking after the event, David Pannick said: “Norwood provides a valuable service to children and adults with learning disabilities or family problems. It is a very worthwhile cause and I am delighted to support its work.”
Joshua Rozenberg added: “It was a terrific coup for Norwood to persuade somebody of David Pannick’s calibre to speak at this event. It has been fantastic for me to support Norwood whilst enjoying the opportunity to pose questions to one of the greatest QC’s in practice today.”
Alisa Fleishman, Norwood’s YN Fundraiser, was delighted with the event: ”I would like to thank David Pannick and Joshua Rozenberg for agreeing to attend this evening, as well as Brecher for once again supporting a YN Lawyers event. The money raised will help to support vulnerable children, adults and families in our community.”
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For more information on YN events, contact Alisa Fleishman, YN Fundraiser, on T: 020 8420 6804, E: alisa.fleishman@norwood.org.uk
For more information please contact the Public Relations Manager at Norwood on 020 8420 6900 or email pressoffice@norwood.org.uk
