Page 31 of Claim

“No. It’s a review note.”

“And you’re not on record.”

“No.”

She leant back, the page falling to her lap. “Why are you bringing this to me?”

“Because the basis for continued remand is weak. The defence team has stepped back quietly. And because the CPS are leaning on an investigation they haven’t charged.”

She raised an eyebrow. “This isn’t about you wanting to score a point before your father retires?” She waved a hand. “Hence, closing the door?”

“No.” I kept myself even despite my thudding heart. “This is a case that needs senior eyes. Yours. It’s enough to look at, at least. If you agree it warrants intervention.”

She read through for a bit, and I could see her interest piquing. “And where do you fit into this?”

“As junior. Under your supervision.”

She went back to the file. “So you’ve come to me with an unrepresented defendant on remand based on incomplete disclosure, an abandoned defence, and a CPS investigation that hasn’t crystallised.”

“Yes.”

“That’s not unusual.” She kept reading. “What is unusual is you thinking it’s mine.”

“I think it’s yours because it needs senior judgment. And because if it’s mishandled now, it won’t survive first contact with the Crown later.”

She tapped the file. “You said the defence stepped back quietly.”

“Yes.”

“Quietly, how?”

I chose my words with care. “No handover. No objection on record. No explanation that would survive scrutiny.”

“Fear?”

“Pressure.”

She studied me. “From whom?”

“Names that don’t need to be written to be understood.”

I didn’t need to say Lord Wolfe. She would see it eventually.

She tilted her neck. “And you think that pressure originates where?”

“Not with the evidence.”

Her mouth tightened. “Good. Because the moment you blame individuals without proof, you lose me.”

“I know. That’s why I haven’t. But this sort of case makes legal aid firms suddenly remember their insurance premiums.”

She leant back, tapping her steepled fingers over her lips. “And you’re satisfied that’s not because the evidence is overwhelming.”

“If it were, they’d have charged. They haven’t.”

She nodded once. “What is he charged with?”

“Supply. Intelligence-led. No physical evidence.”