I refer back to my post #29. A couple of years ago I was having a general social chat with a legal type, and the subject of controllers' liability came up. He asked if I had ever been negligent in my job, and I truthfully answered no, not to my knowledge, and certainly not deliberately. He then quietly asked a few innocent-seeming questions about procedures, orders, working practices etc which I answered as best I could. After a couple of minutes, to my absolute horror, he announced that from a legal aspect I had just proved that I had been negligent in my duties.
Bear in mind that this was just a chat over a glass of Rioja. A prosecution QC in court will be highly trained in manipulating questions and answers to prove his point, and will have no mercy in exercising his professional skills in crucifying a mere ATCO. Remember that the British legal system is adversarial - it's verbal blood and guts to the death. All the QC's are interested in is winning their case to enhance their reputation, get more briefs and earn yet more money. They don't give a stuff about the poor controller they get sent down by the beak.
Sorry if this is a bit on the ranty side, but I'm of a certain age ......