Bindmans drawn into London riots row
King’s Cross firm Bindmans has been recommended by a left-wing blog as the firm of choice for those arrested in relation to London riots.
Twitter feed @thethirdestate published Bindmans’ phone number yesterday, advising anyone “nicked” near the scene of the riots to contact the firm, which specialises in public law, human rights and civil liberties.
The blog stated: “For anyone heading to places where riots are: 1) Mask up. Properly, not just a hood. 2) Bindmans solicitors if you get nicked: 02078334433.”
A spokesperson for The Third Estate said it had recommended Bindmans because “they are good and experienced with public order in protest, but also have offered to have their details circulated”.
However, a spokesperson from Bindmans said: “It’s come to our attention that a leaflet headed ’Don’t panic, don’t talk’ has been circulated. We did not draft, see, approve or circulate such a leaflet, nor did we agree to the inclusion of our contact details in it, nor have we sent out or authorised any Tweets or blog postings in connection with the recent disturbances.”
The 16-partner firm recently represented more than 100 people faced with prosecution over the UK Uncut tax protests and the occupation of luxury retailer Fortnum & Mason in March.
Other regular clients include Amnesty International, the Bar Council, Brian Paddick, David Blunkett MP, ITN, the Law Society of England and Wales and the National Union of Journalists.
Bindmans partner Tamsin Allen has also been in the spotlight recently, representing former deputy prime minister John Prescott and Chris Bryant MP in a judicial review of the Metropolitan Police’s handling of the phone hacking scandal (23 May 2011).
Via Twitter postings The Third Estate has also listed London firms Hodge Jones & Allen and Birnberg Peirce & Partners as firms whose telephone numbers rioters should carry with them.
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Readers' comments (30)
Al | 9-Aug-2011 12:38 pm
Is this such a big story? The last time I checked, even looters (as much as I hate them) are entitled to a fair trial, and legal representation.
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Barry | 9-Aug-2011 12:58 pm
I think it's outrageous that solicitors should find themselves acting for suspected criminals. They should be struck off forthwith!
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Anonymous | 9-Aug-2011 1:04 pm
I heard that in Nottingham, the Johnson Partnership have special flyers to give to the rioters.
Is this so bad?
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Force of the Law | 9-Aug-2011 1:49 pm
Utterly, utterly crass. And handing out tips on covering up? What next, reminding rapists to wear condoms?
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Anonymous | 9-Aug-2011 2:24 pm
Dear Al/Anon
Yes this is "so bad". I believe it is customary to fix up up a conference with yer brief after rather than prior to the commission of a crime. I suggest Bindmans champions of the "poor oppressed backberry toting anarchist" should publicy dissociate themselves.
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Anonymous | 9-Aug-2011 2:33 pm
"Force of the Law | 9-Aug-2011 1:49 pm
Utterly, utterly crass. And handing out tips on covering up? What next, reminding rapists to wear condoms?"
No, its not Bindmans handing out tips, its some blogger who also recommends Bindmans if they get caught.
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Jim | 9-Aug-2011 3:22 pm
When there's money involved ................
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Anonymous | 9-Aug-2011 4:08 pm
Bottom feeders.
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Andrew | 9-Aug-2011 4:16 pm
There was a time when protestors were proud to be seen protesting for their cause. Now it's just a bunch of cowardly mommy's boys and girls who like to cause damage to everything for the sake if it... and then go screaming like a baby when the nasty policemen respond with force.
All these tough guys should head over to Libya, Egypt or Syria and witness people fighting for a real cause. They'd last about 5 seconds (and they wouldn't even get a new pair of trainers out of it).
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Anonymous | 9-Aug-2011 4:16 pm
Jim, surely the money involved comes from flogging looted watches and phones down the pub? There must be something somewhere about being paid from the proceeds of crime...., or do these people qualify for Legal Aid?
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