Richard Atkins KC leading Matthew Cullen uphold conviction in the Court of Appeal

Richard Atkins KC, leading Matthew Cullen, prosecuted 7 Defendants in a 3 month trial concerning a substantial conspiracy to supply class A drugs. One defendant appealed his conviction, arguing that the trial Judge’s failure to remind the Jury of his Counsel’s closing speech following a request from the jury to receive a copy of or listen to the closing speech again, made his conviction unsafe. 

Following a hearing on 5th March 2026, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal agreeing with Richard Atkins KC and Matthew Cullen’s submissions. The Court commented:

• That the trial Judge was right not to provide copies of a closing speech to a Jury. Speeches are not evidence. 
• Although some Judges might have provided a very brief summary of points made on behalf of a Defendant if requested, there was no duty on a trial Judge to do so.
• The Judge had summed up fairly and had already reminded the Jury of points made by the Appellant’s Counsel in her speech.
• The conviction was not unsafe.