‘One of the leading sets in claimant police law’, Doughty Street Chambers draws on its wealth of experience in human rights and public law to handle the most complex police law cases, both at first instance and on appeal. A number of members represent core participants of the high-profile Undercover Policing Inquiry, which continues to unfold this year with opening statements and the second phase of evidence. In June 2024 Nicholas Bowen KC will appear before the Supreme Court in Tindall v Thames Valley Police, with the outcome determining if the Court of Appeal erred in finding the police did not owe road users a duty of care to protect them from harm. Adam Straw KC is ‘one of the best claimant silks out there’ and represents the family of Sean Fitzgerald, who was fatally shot by a police officer, in the on-going inquest and civil claim for damages against the police. Fiona Murphy KC and Nick Brown remain involved in the Hillsborough Victims Misfeasance Litigation.
Police law (claimant) in
London Bar
Doughty Street Chambers
Testimonials
‘The support staff are second to none. Always incredibly helpful, responsive, and very friendly. Cynthia Francis, customer experience manager, is fantastic and the driving force behind the public face of DSC.’
‘The clerks are extremely responsive and helpful, particularly Grace Walton.’
‘The clerks at Doughty Street are at the top of their game. Super helpful and responsive.’
‘The clerks are excellent and helpful in making sure that timescales are met and papers turned around in good time.’
‘Doughty Street has the widest collective of high quality claimant inquest and civil claim barristers of any set. They cover the full range of expertise and are my go to set when looking to instruct counsel in these areas.’
‘Doughty Street Chambers deserve their reputation as leaders in their field. They offer a huge range of highly qualified and dedicated barristers who are brilliant in the work they do.’
‘Doughty Street have a wide selection of some of the best barristers in police law.’
‘The set is one of the leading sets in claimant police law. It has considerable strength in depth and a wealth of experience at every level.’
Work highlights
Garden Court Chambers
Garden Court Chambers has a well-established reputation for representing claimants across the gamut of police law proceedings, from conventional torts and claims under the Human Rights Act 1998, to inquests, public inquiries and judicial review challenges against the police and IOPC. Leslie Thomas KC is representing the family of Rebecca Ikumelo following her death in the Brixton Academy crush, with the upcoming inquest raising questions over the policing of the incident and potential breaches of the right to life under the European Convention on Human Rights. In Bell v Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis, Stephen Simblet KC appeared before the High Court in a claim for damages contending the police are liable for their role in facilitating the abduction of a child to Brazil. Also appearing before the High Court in June 2024 is Sarah Hemingway in Reynolds v Chief Constable of Kent Police, with the judgment expected to be the lead authority on the use of the ‘Fundamental Dishonesty’ provision in police cases.
Testimonials
‘Garden Court are a well organised and approachable Chambers, leaving instructing solicitors happy they are in safe hands.’
Work highlights
Matrix Chambers
Matrix Chambers offers ‘excellent barristers’ for claimant related police law expertise, with those drawing upon experience in associated areas of crime, public law, civil liberties, and inquests and inquiries. In R (W80) v IOPC, Phillippa Kaufmann KC appeared before the Supreme Court on behalf of the family of Jermaine Baker, who was fatally shot by a police officer, with the judgment clarifying that the civil test of whether an honest but mistaken belief is reasonable applies to police misconduct decisions, rather than the criminal law test of self-defence. ‘Quite simply the best junior around’, Jesse Nicholls is particularly adept at handling cases where police officers have caused death or catastrophic injury. ‘All rounder’ Helen Law , whose ‘knowledge of criminal law is such an asset in this area’, continues to act for wives of undercover officers in the Undercover Policing Inquiry.
Testimonials
‘The clerks are great – they are responsive and proactive. Matt Leitch is particularly helpful.’
‘The clerks are all very helpful and responsive.’
‘A leading set for actions against the state.’
‘The set is exceptional – they are super bright, forensic in their approach but also great people to work with. They do a lot of work for the sector outside of case work, hosting practitioner group meetings and various initiatives.’
‘Matrix are a slick operation! Excellent barristers and excellent support staff.’
‘Matrix are a really good set.’
Work highlights
Doughty Street Chambers
Testimonials
‘The support staff are second to none. Always incredibly helpful, responsive, and very friendly. Cynthia Francis, customer experience manager, is fantastic and the driving force behind the public face of DSC.’
‘The clerks are extremely responsive and helpful, particularly Grace Walton.’
‘The clerks at Doughty Street are at the top of their game. Super helpful and responsive.’
‘The clerks are excellent and helpful in making sure that timescales are met and papers turned around in good time.’
‘Doughty Street has the widest collective of high quality claimant inquest and civil claim barristers of any set. They cover the full range of expertise and are my go to set when looking to instruct counsel in these areas.’
‘Doughty Street Chambers deserve their reputation as leaders in their field. They offer a huge range of highly qualified and dedicated barristers who are brilliant in the work they do.’
‘Doughty Street have a wide selection of some of the best barristers in police law.’
‘The set is one of the leading sets in claimant police law. It has considerable strength in depth and a wealth of experience at every level.’
Work highlights
Garden Court Chambers
Garden Court Chambers has a well-established reputation for representing claimants across the gamut of police law proceedings, from conventional torts and claims under the Human Rights Act 1998, to inquests, public inquiries and judicial review challenges against the police and IOPC. Leslie Thomas KC is representing the family of Rebecca Ikumelo following her death in the Brixton Academy crush, with the upcoming inquest raising questions over the policing of the incident and potential breaches of the right to life under the European Convention on Human Rights. In Bell v Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis, Stephen Simblet KC appeared before the High Court in a claim for damages contending the police are liable for their role in facilitating the abduction of a child to Brazil. Also appearing before the High Court in June 2024 is Sarah Hemingway in Reynolds v Chief Constable of Kent Police, with the judgment expected to be the lead authority on the use of the ‘Fundamental Dishonesty’ provision in police cases.
Testimonials
‘Garden Court are a well organised and approachable Chambers, leaving instructing solicitors happy they are in safe hands.’
Work highlights
Matrix Chambers
Matrix Chambers offers ‘excellent barristers’ for claimant related police law expertise, with those drawing upon experience in associated areas of crime, public law, civil liberties, and inquests and inquiries. In R (W80) v IOPC, Phillippa Kaufmann KC appeared before the Supreme Court on behalf of the family of Jermaine Baker, who was fatally shot by a police officer, with the judgment clarifying that the civil test of whether an honest but mistaken belief is reasonable applies to police misconduct decisions, rather than the criminal law test of self-defence. ‘Quite simply the best junior around’, Jesse Nicholls is particularly adept at handling cases where police officers have caused death or catastrophic injury. ‘All rounder’ Helen Law , whose ‘knowledge of criminal law is such an asset in this area’, continues to act for wives of undercover officers in the Undercover Policing Inquiry.
Testimonials
‘The clerks are great – they are responsive and proactive. Matt Leitch is particularly helpful.’
‘The clerks are all very helpful and responsive.’
‘A leading set for actions against the state.’
‘The set is exceptional – they are super bright, forensic in their approach but also great people to work with. They do a lot of work for the sector outside of case work, hosting practitioner group meetings and various initiatives.’
‘Matrix are a slick operation! Excellent barristers and excellent support staff.’
‘Matrix are a really good set.’