Leslie Thomas KC is one of the leading claimant barristers at the Bar in civil liberties and human rights, claims against the police and public authorities, inquests, public inquiries and public law. He is renowned for fearless advocacy in the most serious and politically sensitive cases, particularly those involving deaths following state contact, abuse of power, discrimination, privacy, data rights and accountability of public bodies.
He has appeared in many of the country’s most significant inquests and inquiries, and continues to act in major national matters, including work connected with the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and the Undercover Policing Inquiry. He also has a substantial Caribbean practice, advising and appearing in constitutional, public law and environmental challenges across the region.
Leslie is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners and Tier 1 in Legal 500 for Inquests & Public Inquiries and Police Law (Claimant). He is also ranked in Civil Liberties & Human Rights. Solicitors and lay clients alike value his tactical judgment, exceptional advocacy and ability to carry the most demanding cases with authority and clarity.
Civil Liberties and Human Rights
Overview
Leslie has a UK-wide reputation in civil liberties and human rights litigation. He acts in complex claims involving unlawful detention, assault and battery, malicious prosecution, discrimination, privacy, data protection, misuse of private information and breaches of Convention rights.
His practice is particularly associated with cases arising from state violence, state neglect and institutional failure. He has acted in many high-profile Article 2 matters and in proceedings that sit at the intersection of civil claims, inquests, inquiries and judicial review. His work is marked by strategic handling of sensitive evidence, robust cross-examination and a strong focus on accountability.
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Inquests and Inquiries
Overview
Leslie is a leading specialist in inquests and inquiries, particularly cases involving deaths in custody, restraint, shootings, pursuits, prison and mental health settings, and other deaths following contact with the state. He has represented bereaved families in many of the most important inquests and inquiries of recent decades, including the Hillsborough inquests, the Sean Rigg case, the Mark Duggan inquest and judicial review, the Azelle Rodney Inquiry and the Birmingham Pub Bombings inquests.
He continues to be instructed in nationally significant inquiry work, including the UK Covid-19 Inquiry and the Undercover Policing Inquiry. He is particularly sought after where the case requires forceful advocacy, command of Article 2 obligations, and careful handling of vulnerable clients and politically sensitive material.
Notable Cases
Past notable cases can be viewed below. Click here to see a list of recent notable cases.
UK Covid-19 Inquiry [2022-]
Leslie represents the Federation of Ethnic Minority Healthcare Organisations (FEMHO), leading Una Morris of Garden Court. Counsel instructed by Cyrilia Knight of Saunders Law.
Grenfell Tower Fire Public Inquiry [2017- 25]
Leslie represented bereaved families, survivors and residents of the Grenfell tragedy, instructed primarily by Cyrilia Knight of Saunders Solicitors, Elizabeth Rebello of Duncan Lewis, Gary Bromelow of Saunders Law & Robert Berg of Janes Solicitors.
Kevin Clarke Inquest [2020]
Jury found inappropriate police restraint contributed to Kevin’s death. Leslie represented the family of Kevin Clarke, instructed by Cyrilia Davies Knight & Ben Curtis of Saunders Law.
Carl Sargeant Inquest [2019]
Leslie was instructed by Neil Hudgell of Hudgell Solicitors for the family of former Welsh Assembly Member Carl Sargeant.
Birmingham Pub Bombings Inquest [2019]
Leslie represented the families of victims of the Birmingham Pub Bombings 1974 in the resumed inquests into the deaths of their loved ones.
Terry Smith Inquest [2018]
Leslie represented the family, instructed by Nia Williams of Saunders Law, leading Una Morris. Concluded neglect contributed to death involving excessive restraint by Surrey Police.
Philmore Mills Inquest [2016]
Leslie represented the family instructed by Kate Maynard from Hickman & Rose Solicitors. Jury concluded that restraint and communication failures contributed to his death.
Christi and Bobby Shepherd Inquest (Thomas Cook Corfu Carbon Monoxide case) [May 2015]
Leslie represented the families of Christi and Bobby Shepherd who died tragically as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning in 2006 whilst on a Thomas Cook holiday with their father and his partner. More information here, here and here.
Eleanor De Freitas Inquest [March 2015]
Leslie represented the family of Eleanor De Freitas at the inquest into her death. More information here.
The Glenanne murders – Elizabeth MacDonald – Inquest
Leslie represented the family of Elizabeth MacDonald who was murdered by the Glenanne Gang in Northern Ireland during the troubles. More information here.
Hillsborough Inquests [March 2014]
Leslie represented 11 of the 96 families whose love ones died in the Hillsborough Stadium disaster. More information here.
Arsema Dawit Inquest
Arsema Dawit aged 15 was stabbed in excess of 60 times and died in 2008. Leslie and Una Morris represented Arsema’s mother at the inquest into her death which looked at the way the police handled her complaint that she was being harassed by the man who killed her in the weeks before her death. More information here.
Mark Duggan Inquest and Judicial Eeview
Mark Duggan’s death on 4 August 2011 sparked civil unrest in the United Kingdom. Leslie represented Mark’s family and loved ones. More information here.
Azelle Rodney Public Inquiry
Azelle Rodney was killed having been shot six times by Metropolitan Police Officer, Anthony Long. Leslie represented Azelle’s mother at the public inquiry into the death. In 2013, Sir Christopher Holland, the Chairman, determined that the shooting was an unlawful killing. More information here, here and here.
Medihani v HM Coroner of Inner South District of Greater London
Leslie represented the mother of Arsema Dawit in the judicial review of the Coroner’s refusal to hold an Article 2 ECHR inquiry into the death of a 15-year-old girl stabbed to death by her boyfriend following her reporting her fear of him and threats made by him to the police. The case was reported in The Guardian, The Telegraph and by the BBC.
Sean Rigg Inquest, Judicial Review and Civil Action
Leslie represented the family of Sean Rigg, who died in 2008 in custody at Brixton Police station following restraint. The case was widely reported by the BBC. More information can be found on the Sean Rigg Justice and Change Campaign website.
Clifford v Hertford Police [2011] EWHC 815 (QB)
Leslie represented the Claimant in successfully claiming damages and substantial costs for malicious prosecution against the police. This case was reported by The Telegraph.
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Claims Against the Police and Public Authorities
Overview
Leslie is widely recognised as one of the foremost claimant barristers in actions against the police and other public authorities. His practice covers false imprisonment, assault, malicious prosecution, misfeasance in public office, negligence, data and privacy claims, discrimination and Human Rights Act claims.
He is regularly instructed in cases concerning police shootings, restraint deaths, custody deaths, surveillance, investigative failures and systemic misconduct. His experience spans both individual claims and broader strategic litigation designed to expose institutional wrongdoing and secure meaningful redress.
Notable Cases
R (Birks) v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis [2014] EWHC 3041 (Admin)
Leslie Thomas QC represented the Second Interested Party, Marcia Rigg-Samuel, in proceedings brought by a police officer in relation to the refusal of the Commissioner to consent to his resignation pending misconduct proceedings arising out of the death of Sean Rigg. The challenge to the decision failed. More information here.
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Administrative and Public Law
Overview
Leslie acts in judicial review and public law proceedings concerning policing, coronial law, human rights, discrimination, accountability of public bodies and procedural fairness. He is particularly valued in cases that overlap with civil claims, inquests or wider public controversies.
His public law work includes challenges to decisions of coroners, police forces and other state bodies, as well as cases raising issues of constitutional principle, legality and access to justice.
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Public International Law / Caribbean Practice
Overview
Leslie has a substantial practice across the Caribbean, where he advises and appears in constitutional, public law, environmental and property-related disputes. He has acted in significant litigation in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada and elsewhere in the region, including challenges concerning land rights, planning decisions, environmental protection and state power.
He is ranked in Chambers Global for General Business Law in Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica. Clients value the combination of heavyweight advocacy, public law expertise and strategic judgment that he brings to complex regional disputes.
