Successful appeal against shotgun certificate revocation

Our client’s appeal against the revocation of his shotgun certificate was successful. The Chief Constable of South Yorkshire Police (CCSYP) revoked our client’s shotgun certificate. After several hearings before the Sheffield Crown Court, the police withdrew their opposition to our appeal and reinstated our client’s shotgun license.

The CCSYP attempted to invoke a Closed Material Procedure, pursuant to the Justice and Security Act 2013. This is a procedure which allows a party in civil litigation (usually the State) to withhold information that is said to be relevant to national security. This means that this information would not be disclosed to the other party in the proceedings. It was our argument that this would unfairly preclude our client from effectively participating in the proceedings as he, and his legal team, would not be able to consider the evidence nor reasons for why the shotgun certificate was revoked. As a result, these procedures were adamantly opposed.  

Our client was of good character and was not known to the police. It was disproportionate to deploy proceedings which were intended to be used in matters relating to national security. Our work included drafting a witness statement illustrating our client’s legitimate and ordinary lifestyle, supporting his credibility to be granted a shotgun certificate.

We are pleased that the CCSYP abandoned their application to employ Closed Material Procedure, withdrew their opposition to our appeal, and returned our clients possessions and reinstating his certificate.

Amy Cox was the solicitor with the conduct of the case. She was assisted by Annie Loh. Jonathan Duffy of 7 Harrington Chambers was the barrister instructed in this case.