Leslie Thomas KC > Garden Court Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile

Renowned for its civil liberties and human rights cases, Garden Court Chambers has a ‘large range of excellent barristers.’ The team also instructs on judicial reviews and represents claimants in police misfeasance and misconduct cases. Leslie Thomas KC specialises in cases involving deaths after contact with the police, as well as instructing on legacy cases involving Northern Ireland. Stephen Simblet KC has advised as lead counsel representing bereaved families in the Hillsborough Disaster inquests investigating emergency police response, and often instructs on a wide range of police related inquests and inquiries. Sarah Hemingway  has acted as Deputy First Junior Counsel to the Under Cover Policing Inquiry, while Una Morris  represents claimants bringing tort claims against forces.

‘One of the leading chambers for inquest proceedings work,’ Garden Court Chambers has longstanding experience with high-profile inquests and inquiries. The team is extensively recognised for its representation of bereaved families, and cases regarding the Human Rights Act and Article 2 cases. Leslie Thomas KC specialises in representing families of individuals who have died after contact with the police, while in Northern Ireland Brenda Campbell KC continues to represent the mother of Noah Donohoe, a child who went missing from his home and was found dead in a storm drain six days later. Turning to the set’s juniors, Emma Favata  was instructed on the inquest into the death of Rachel Garrett, a woman took her own life while receiving psychiatric care; it is alleged that her medical professionals were aware of her suicide risk but were negligent in not sectioning her. Una Morris  represented the family of Joe Pooley, a vulnerable young man who was murdered by a violent criminal in breach of his licence conditions.