Who? Mark Scott, 47, partner at London firm Bhatt Murphy.
Why is he in the news? Represented the family of Jimmy Mubenga, a 46-year-old Angolan who an inquest jury found had been unlawfully killed after being restrained by three G4S guards on a BA flight while being deported. In their nine-to-one verdict, the inquest found that Mubenga was pushed or held down by one or more of the guards, causing his breathing to be impeded.
The eight-week inquest heard that Mubenga had been calling out for help as he was restrained and said he could not breathe. Following the verdict, the CPS said it would reconsider its initial decision not to bring charges.
Thoughts on the case: ‘The most striking aspect was the real concern about the treatment of people being deported, which was highlighted in a very tragic manner by a man’s death. There are also concerns about the initial police investigation before it was taken over by the Metropolitan Police homicide team.
‘Then there was real shock in 2012 when the CPS decided not to prosecute. There now needs to be prompt review of that decision by the CPS. In addition, the fact that the process took so long is not acceptable and added a great deal of distress for the family.’
Dealing with the media: ‘I am fairly used to it, but in this case I was assisted by the work of the NGO Inquest. The press generally treated the case sensitively and was able to highlight the important issues.’
Why did you become a lawyer? ‘I had a family background in the anti-apartheid campaign and my interest grew from that.’
Career high: ‘Being in a position of working with clients who see beyond their own case to how it affects others, and also working with great NGOs.’
Career low: ‘The CPS not bringing a prosecution in this case and other cases where clients have not had justice – there are too many too mention.’
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