R (Lawal) v Crown Court at Cambridge

Subject Matter

CROWN COURT — Appeal to — Dismissal of appeal — Claimant appealing to Crown Court against conviction in absence in magistrates’ court — Claimant unrepresented at appeal hearing — Claimant advising court clerk by telephone that running late — Court deciding to proceed with appeal in claimant’s absence and dismissing appeal without hearing evidence — Whether court having power to dismiss appeal or strike it out of list in absence of unrepresented appellant — Whether decision to do so in particular case unreasonable

[2023] EWHC 466 (Admin); [2023] 4 WLR 29; [2023] 2 Cr App R 1; [2023] WLR(D) 112, KBD