Sherrard Conversation | Art Not Evidence

Keir Monteith KC and Baroness Chakrabarti CBE (Master Chakrabarti) will discuss how the prosecution deploy Rap and Drill music in an attempt to prove criminal gang membership, motive and intent.
 
In a 2017 murder trial the judge directed the jury ‘The issue is whether or not participation or possession of that video is something from which you could infer membership or allegiance to the AO gang,’. In a 2022 conspiracy to murder trial, known as the Manchester 10, the prosecution closed with the following remarks ‘the last four defendants appear to have become involved in this gang culture perhaps more on the periphery than the others, but for a number of different reasons. Because of the area in which they lived, because they had an interest in drill rap with its themes of violence, drugs and criminality that we have heard about’. All the defendants were convicted.
 
In January 2025, the Court of Appeal gave judgment on the Manchester 10 appeals and quashed the conviction for conspiracy to commit GBH of Ademola Adedeji, who spent 1181 days imprisoned. Despite this, the Court of Appeal failed to engage with the issue of institutional racism and has worsened the issue. JUSTICE made several observations and recommendations which were not implemented.
 
The conversation will outline how the issue of institutional racism is present in prosecution cases through stereotyping and cultural ignorance. Art Not Evidence has  drafted legislation to limit the use of creative expression in criminal proceedings and highlights the ramifications of using rap and drill music as evidence of criminal wrongdoing.“Keir Monteith KC is a well respected  Criminal Defence silk who was lead counsel for Ademola Adedeji’s appeal in January 2025, where his conviction was quashed and he became The Times Lawyer of the week as a result of this. He was co-founder of the campaign group, Art Not Evidence and co-author of the groundbreaking report Racial Bias and the Bench.
 
Baroness Shami Chakrabarti CBE is a member of the House of Lords, former director of Liberty and served as Shadow Attorney General. Baroness Chakrabarti is a Bencher of Middle Temple and a supporter of the Art Not Evidence campaign.

Useful reading –

Court of Appeal quashes conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm conviction of aspiring law student who spoke in Parliament | Garden Court Chambers

Third Party Intervention Submissions on behalf of JUSTICE

Keir Monteith KC interview with ITV News

Ademola Adedeji interview with ITV News

Student members (including transferring lawyers) must attend all elements of the event in order to be awarded the Qualifying Session. This includes any lecture/talk/reception/dinner/speeches.