Claims Against The Police & Public Authorities

Garden Court Chambers is one of the most highly-experienced of any Chambers in this complex area with an excellent reputation across the UK.

Garden Court Chambers is noted for its 'strength and depth in actions against the police and inquest work', where it is described as a 'leader in the field'. It provides a 'fantastic service', and the clerks are rated for their quick responses. Owen Davies QC and Courtenay Griffiths QC are recommended among the leading silks. The 'fearless and formidable' Leslie Thomas has a superb reputation for police actions, and inquest and prison work, and is rated for his 'excellent cross-examination skills'. Stephen Simblet is an 'excellent jury advocate' whose 'presence at court shows incredible attention to detail'. The set also receives high praise for its up-and-coming junior juniors.
The Legal 500 2011

"Garden Court Chambers is credited for its commitment to fighting injustice and inequality. A major force in civil liberties and human rights work, it has a superb police law team that advises on assault, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment and claims for wrongful deprivation of liberty. Other matters handled include cases relating to psychiatric detention and mistreatment in prison. Sources agree that the set is supported by great clerks who are always extremely helpful."
Chambers UK 2012

We conduct civil actions against the police and other institutional bodies for false imprisonment, assault, malicious prosecution, misfeasance in public office and other abuses of power. Several of our practitioners form the core of their practice on claims against the police, and many are acknowledged and highly-rated in the Chambers and Partners legal directory.

Garden Court barristers have extensive experience of conducting jury trials in claims against the police. There are several members of Garden Court whose main practice area is claims against the police. Our specialisation and expertise in police claims is almost unique at the Bar.

Members of Chambers are actively involved in the Police Actions Lawyers' Group and regularly contribute to police law issues to legal periodicals. The multi-disciplinary specialist expertise within Chambers has also given us a lead in claims for damages from unlawful immigration detention and false imprisonment by psychiatric hospitals and other state institutions. Some of our leading appellate cases are:

Earl Hill v Commissioner of Police, Goswell v Commissioner of Police (4/11/98, CCRTF97/1558/2)
This case is an important authority on damages.

R (Saadi) v Secretary of State for Home Department [2002]1 WLR 356
This case concerned the legality of detention at the Oakington asylum centre.

R v Governor of Brockhill Prison ex parte Evans (no. 2) [2001] 2 AC 19
Establishes that any unlawful detention gives rise to a damages claim.

Farah v Home Office (Times LR 28/1/2000)
Established the potential liability of the Home Office for negligence in interfering with the travel arrangements of refugees.

Jason Paul v Chief Constable of Humberside [2004] EWCA Civ 308, [2004] 1 Pol LR 179
Establishes that claims for damages against the police will often involve drawing inferences against the police evidence.

R (application of Wilkinson) v Chief Constable of Merseyside Police [2004] 1 Pol LR 189
Quashes a police force's refusal to conduct an investigation into a complaint.

R (application Clare) v Independent Police Complaints Commission [2005] 1 Pol LR 185
Establishes that IPCC is permitted to withdraw a dispensation from a requirement to investigate a complaint.

Morrison v Chief Constable of West Midlands [2003] EWCA Civ 271
Relates to the directions to be given to divided juries.

Chief Constable of Merseyside v Ali Daar [2005] EWCA 1774, [2005] 1 Pol LR 376
Prevents the police striking out a claim against the police on the basis that the claimant had received an ASBO.

Keegan v Chief Constable of Merseyside [2003] 1 WLR 2187
An appeal raising the ambit of tort of malicious procurement of a search warrant.

Keegan v United Kingdom (App 28867/03)
Obtaining compensation in the European Court of Human Rights for breach of Article 8 and Article 13 following a police search.

The team

Members of the Claims Against The Police & Public Authorities team are listed below - click on their names to go to their profiles.

Barrister Year of Call Email Address Henry Blaxland QC 1978 Send Email Courtenay Griffiths QC 1980 Send Email Marc Willers 1987 Send Email Leslie Thomas 1988 Send Email Colin Hutchinson 1990 Send Email Stephen Simblet 1991 Send Email Catrin Lewis 1991 Send Email Nadine Finch 1991 Send Email Stephanie Harrison 1991 Send Email Rajeev Thacker 1993 Send Email Rajiv Menon QC 1993 Send Email Stephen Knafler QC 1993 Send Email Maya Sikand 1997 Send Email Emma Favata 1999 Send Email Sadat Sayeed 2001 Send Email Irena Sabic 2002 Send Email Brenda Campbell 2002 Send Email Alex Rose 2003 Send Email Andrew Eaton 2004 Send Email Sarah Hemingway 2006 Send Email Shu Shin Luh 2006 Send Email Anna Morris 2006 Send Email Deirdre Malone 2006 Send Email Kirsten Heaven 2007 Send Email Fatima Kola 2007 Send Email Helen Foot 2008 Send Email Raza Halim 2009 Send Email