Protest and the Criminalisation of Communities

Stephen Knight

Barrister

One Pump Court

Barrister at One Pump Court Chambers

Our Protest Law series continues and we are delighted to present this seminar which focusses on communities becoming oppressed through the criminal law and the legislation which seeks to kwell any rising tide of dissent from those who demonstrate against authority

Stephen Knight is a focussed commentator and pinpoint accurate practitioner, a rock in a storm for the underdog and a lead Barrister for refugees, the homeless and protesters alike. A real gem. 

(At the start of this talk Stephen refers to a session we filmed on Protest Law with Margo Munro Kerr and invites you to watch this. If you wish to do so you should do so now for its context to be of benefit in this session)

This talk covers:

Protest and criminalised communities

The Government crackdown on protest

How criminalisation is achieved?

Proscription

Racialised assumptions and ethnic groups

Intimidation and harassment by the state

Common offences under the 2000 Terrorism Act

Wide actions and definitions and Law S1 and S2

Section 3, proscription, listed groups and others

The wider look

The racist perspective

Police training material and a culture of suspicion

Practical considerations when defending the protest case

Legal 500

Stephen is a committed criminal defence and public law practitioner. He has been described by his clients as “warm and friendly, but formidable”, “razor-sharp”, and “a relentless advocate”, and by his instructing solicitors as having a “breath-taking ability to condense facts and legal arguments in a terse yet persuasive style” and a “huge heart and ability to empathise with the wrongfully convicted and their families”. His approach to his cases is informed by his work with the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers, where he helps to co-ordinate the legal observing project.

He practises in all areas of criminal law, specialising in protest law and appellate work.

Stephen is currently briefed in a number of long-running cases with the CCRC. He has been instructed in cases in the Crown Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal which have received significant media attention. He has previously been named The Times’ Lawyer of the Week.

Stephen is also a member of the Immigration Team. He regularly appears in the Upper Tribunal, High Court, Court of Appeal on human rights and asylum matters. He is currently instructed in a number of high-profile cases in the High Court and Court of Appeal.

Stephen’s work is mostly publicly funded but he is also prepared to accept privately funded or pro bono work in appropriate cases, including on a direct access basis. He previously helped to run the pro bono legal clinic for EEA nationals at Akwaaba, and has worked at projects including Refugee Legal Support Athens.