Document EFTA00023798 is an email from Gary Bloxsome, a partner at Blackfords LLP, dated June 8, 2020. It discusses concerns about cooperation and confidentiality in an unspecified matter.
The email expresses hesitation in committing to a specific form of cooperation due to concerns about confidentiality and the use of information, heightened by a recent media leak regarding an MIA (Mutual Legal Assistance) request. The email also references the firm's operational adjustments during the coronavirus pandemic, including how Family Court and Criminal/Regulatory hearings were being handled at the time.
From: Gary Bloxsome To: " yi Cc: Richardson" Subject: Re: Sensitive correspondence. Date: Mon, 08 Jun 2020 13:55:54 +0000 Inline-Images: image00 1 jpg; image002.jpg; image989246.jpg; image958475.jpg Dear Thank you for your email of 5 June 2020. Given the unfortunate history of this matter, already well documented, our view is that we cannot commit to a particular form of cooperation until we are properly informed and assured as to what protections, including as to confidentiality and use, are to pertain. Our ongoing concerns in this regard are only increased as a result of yesterday's leak to the world's media regarding the existence of the MIA request. For that reason I ask you again to address the questions in my previous communication. Kind regards Gary Gary BloxsomeiPartner $ RANKED IN Chambers j % UK 45'0 1 0 7 0 VIS • lading Hem ell 0 Tor TIER mm Coronavirus — COVID-19 — A message to our clients and fellow professionals All of the partners of the firm are still working and their contact details can be found on our website at www.blackfords.com. In addition we have a team of key workers supporting us across all offices. We continue to take instructions from existing and new clients. EFTA00023798
As a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic and the need to ensure the safety of our staff, the firm will be operated by a limited number of key personnel. Family Court hearings and proceedings —these are operating through video and telephone hearings. Our family team is operating as normal. Criminal and Regulatory hearings - most court and tribunal hearings are being adjourned but you must please stay in contact with us to check hearing dates and deadlines until we have confirmation that they have been moved or extended. For individuals held in custody, cases are being dealt with where social distancing measures or electronic hearings can be implemented. In the meantime if you need to speak to one of our lawyers, please leave a voicemail by dialling where we will respond to the messages in the order they are received or by emailing your enquiry to Blackfords LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales with registered number A list of members' names is available at this address. GDPR: details of how we handle personal data can be found in ourPrivacy Statement Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 462078. On 5 Jun 2020, at 17:39, wrote: External email: is it safe to open attachments and links? Gary, Thank you for your email. We are prepared to respond to your questions in full, but before proceeding further, we want to confirm that by "witness statement" you are referring to a live interview (to be conducted in person or via video conference), at which your client will answer our questions and, in advance of which, will produce any documents, including communications, relevant to the subjects to be covered at the interview. Regards, Assistant U.S. Attorney Southern District of New York From: Gary Bloxsome < Sent: Wednesday, June 3, 2020 3:17 PM To: Cc: Daniel Cundy Jennifer Richardson • Subject: Sensitive correspondence. Dear Ms Comey The UK Central Authority (UKCA) has informed us that the United States has formally sought assistance in interviewing our client. The UKCA told us that we would have the opportunity to contact Mr from the US Embassy to explore whether, notwithstanding our concerns at the unfair treatment of the Duke by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the failure by the DOJ to abide by its promise to provide an appropriate level of confidentiality to him and us, it would be possible for the Duke to reach an agreement with the DOJ and to provide a voluntary witness statement. EFTA00023799
Unfortunately, it appears Mr has no authority in the matter and has directed us to contact the U.S. case team directly via your email address. With a view to progressing the request for assistance: [1] Please confirm that any communications between us, with a view to providing the DOJ with a voluntary witness statement from the Duke will be treated confidentially and in particular will not be the subject of DOJ press statements or commentary. [2] Please provide confirmation (given the reports of connections between the DOJ and US lawyers acting on no win/no fee arrangements) that any voluntary witness statement will not be used for any purpose other than the DOJ's criminal investigations. [3] We would be grateful if you would confirm the areas of testimony that you would wish the Duke's witness statement to cover. Kind regards Gary Bloxsome Gary BloxsomelPartner Coronavirus — COVID-19 —A message to our clients and fellow professionals All of the partners of the farm are still working and their contact details can be found on our website at www.blackfords.com. In addition we have a team of key workers supporting us across all offices. We continue to take instructions from existing and new clients. As a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic and the need to ensure the safety of our staff, the firm will be operated by a limited number of key personnel. Family Court hearings and proceedings — these are operating through video and telephone hearings. Our family team is operating as nonnal. Criminal and Regulatory hearings - most court and tribunal hearings are being adjourned but you must please stay in contact with us to check hearing dates and deadlines until we have confirmation that they have been moved or extended. For individuals held in custody, cases are being dealt with where social distancing measures or electronic hearings can be implemented. In the meantime if you need to speak to one of our lawyers, please leave a voicemail by dialling where we will respond to the messages in the order they are received or by emailing your enquiry to acfords LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England & Wales with registered number A list of members' names is available at this address. GDPR: details of how we handle personal data can be found in ourPrivacv Statement Authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under number 462078. EFTA00023800
0 RANKED IN 0 OMIOU'S .0 OPP • • 90 1011b• LB II, 500 Till` III :: EFTA00023801


