Graham Southwell appeals his conviction and his sentence

The Court of Appeal has told Graham Southwell’s new lawyer he must follow the McCook procedure - a process of verification - as a number of his grounds of appeal involve criticism of decisions taken by his previous counsel.

Southwell was sentenced to 39 years in prison in January 2025 after being convicted of 19 child sex offences against five victims. He is appealing both his convictions and sentence.

The court told defence lawyer Shane Danino he would need to seek a waiver of privilege from Southwell so that members of his former legal team could be approached to establish the reasons behind decisions taken during the trial.

The judges acknowledged that Southwell’s previous counsel, Mr Fishel, has since died, but said his junior counsel and solicitors from the firm where he practised may have access to his notes or other information which could explain those decisions.

Mr Danino was given a timetable with deadlines to ensure he is ready for the substantive appeal in April 2027.

For the Crown, Johann Fernandez said he was awaiting the defence’s substantive arguments and did not want any possibility of the appeal being delayed.

The Court of Appeal reiterated that the hearing will take place in April next year, with the presiding judge telling Mr Danino: “We are on for next April. Put it in your diary.”