Experts from a fast-growing South Wales law firm have launched a training course for antipiracy investigators from around the world.
Cardiff-based CJCH Solicitors ran the inaugural three-day course at the University of South Wales (USW), for senior investigators from global tech company Dassault Systèmes.
Nine senior investigators from Brazil, USA, Spain, China, Singapore, France, Germany, UK and Italy, took part in the course, including a visit from the the global head of licence compliance at Dassault Systèmes, Andy Clarkson who observed the final day of the programme.
The course included modules on operation planning and managing investigations, computers and the law, intelligence gathering, analysis and use, interview technique, plus other aspects of modern-day investigation.
Participants had full use of the USW policing and security facilities including practical sessions using the Hydra Minerva Suite – a facility that enables the monitoring of real-time leadership and decision-making.
One of only six in England and Wales, the suite has five pod rooms, two interview rooms, a planetary room and a control room. It is fitted with cameras, microphones and high definition DVD recorders, allowing interactive role-plays, interviews and press conferences to take place.
The suite provides an immersive learning environment and gives participants experience of incident management and decision-making within a simulated training environment.
The new course forms part of a major anti-piracy centre of excellence project, backed by the Welsh Government, and which will create more than 70 jobs at CJCH.
“This is another major step forward in developing Wales’ reputation as a global hub for anti-piracy expertise,” said CJCH CEO, Stephen Clarke.
“The course has been devised and presented by leading specialist investigator and legal trainer Sally Maeer, and involves other experts in our team, including Tony Crampton, Paul Stephen and Howard Tucker.”
Mr Tucker is a former police detective, who was selected to join a specialist investigations team with the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (UN ICTY) to investigate allegations of war crimes and acts of genocide. He went on to hold several UN roles including head of mission for the UN ICTY.
“This initial course was a great success, and we will run more later in the year for a range of other companies who want to improve the skills of their antipiracy investigators,” added Mr Clarke.
CJCH, a Wales top-20 law firm with headquarters in Cardiff, has grown to more than 100 members of staff. Its expertise covers the full range of legal services including commercial, corporate, dispute resolution, intellectual property, mental health, employment law, motoring, property, family, child care, crime, wills & probate.
Further information about the firm is available at www.cjchsolicitors.co.uk.
