5 Essex Court ‘is a leading set in defendant police law‘ and is involved in cases at each level and in each area of police law, from judicial reviews to public enquiries. Jason Beer KC acted in Prior & Fielding and 395 Others v Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis, representing 400 Royalty and Specialist Protection Command Officers for payments and allowances relating to their duties as members of the. Alan Payne KC provides ‘robust and consistent‘ advice and has particular expertise in judicial review proceedings, inquiries and in defending civil actions against the police. Andrew Waters has acted in notable cases such as the Bichard Inquiry into child protection issues, and has recently been involved a high profile case resulting from a collapsed gangland murder trial.
Police law (forces and constables) in
London Bar5 Essex Court
Testimonials
Set
‘5 Essex Court has an excellent reputation for police work.’
‘They are the go-to set for claims against the police.’
‘The set is a very strong set in all areas of police law with an ever growing expansion into niche areas of police law.’
Clerking
‘Excellent. Mark Waller is excellent. James Cole is a very good junior clerk. All the staff are helpful and communicative.’
‘The clerks are friendly, approachable and always keen to assist.’
‘Always extremely helpful and quick to respond.’
Work highlights
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
Considered a ‘standout set for police misconduct work’, the work undertaken by barristers at Serjeants’ Inn Chambers chambers ranges from misconduct proceedings, to inquiries, to judicial reviews. John Beggs KC is ‘very comfortable dealing with the most complex and difficult cases‘ which in 2021 included acting in the public inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess, who was killed by a discarded bottle of nerve agent used in a failed attempt by the Russian GRU to murder former double agent Sergei Skripal. ‘Helpful, highly intelligent and wise, yet tenacious’ junior Elliot Gold recently represented Avon and Somerset Police in the Court of Appeal in Eckland v Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset, a case revolving on whether forces can be liable in discrimination law for misconduct panels’ decisions.
Testimonials
Set
‘Sergeants’ Inn are my first point of call in relation to police law matters.’
‘High level of counsel at this chambers. Our preferred chambers for our most difficult work.’
‘The set is the standout for police misconduct work and that is reflected by the breadth of quality in chambers (both silk and junior).’
‘Serjeants Inn is an excellent set.’
Clerking
‘All of the clerks at Serjeants Inn are always helpful and efficient.’
‘The clerks are knowledgeable, responsive and easy to work with.’
‘Very good. Professional, courteous and very helpful.’
Work highlights
Deka Chambers
Deka Chambers, a ‘very capable, go-to set of chambers‘ receives instructions from a wide variety of police forces and often deal with claims brought under the Human Rights Act. Andrew Warnock KC continues to represent the Metropolitan Police in the Grenfell inquiry. Lisa Dobie and Laura Johnson, who are both praised for their all-round ability, are known for defending forces in personal injury claims. From the 9 Gough Chambers side of the merger, Edwin Buckett, can count larger forces and the National Crime Agency, the Border Force and individual officers as clients, while Jennifer Oborne‘s practice includes a range of civil claims, disciplinary matters and inquests including advising the Hertfordshire Constabulary on how to respond to the Insulate Britain protests.
Testimonials
Set
‘This is a very strong set.’
‘A very capable, go-to set of chambers.’
‘Deka Chambers has an extremely impressive and knowledgeable set of barristers at all levels in relation to police law.’
Clerking
‘They are superb, always accessible and available, understanding and quick to respond.’
‘The clerks are very approachable and always respond in good time.’
‘Excellent service from the clerks.’
Work highlights
Three Raymond Buildings
Three Raymond Buildings is considered ‘good at inquests and inquiries with a criminal element‘ and ‘pre-eminent in the defence of police misconduct cases‘. Indeed ‘calm and measured barrister‘ Alisdair Williamson KC recently acted in West Yorkshire Police v PC Scoones and others, successfully representing a police office from the West Yorkshire Police who was accused of not investigating the murder of a child in 2016. The set is ‘good at inquests and inquiries with a criminal element‘, and Guy Ladenburg continued to be instructed in the Manchester Arena bombing inquiry in 2021, Ladenburg’s ‘excellent knowledge of the police conduct regulations‘ leaves him well place to handle police misconduct tribunals and inquests. Clair Dobbin has significant experience in acting for police officers professional discipline litigation.
Testimonials
Set
‘The set is extremely strong in police law work. They really are a specialist set for this type of work.’
‘A strong set of barristers tackling the most complex and novel legal issues.’
‘It is pre-eminent in the defence of police misconduct cases and in appearing for both the government and private clients in public law matters that involve the criminal law. ‘
‘Good at inquests and inquiries with a criminal element.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are extremely helpful and easy to deal with.’
‘The clerks are knowledgeable, responsive and easy to work with.’
‘They are efficient and helpful.’
Work highlights
5 Essex Court
Testimonials
Set
‘5 Essex Court has an excellent reputation for police work.’
‘They are the go-to set for claims against the police.’
‘The set is a very strong set in all areas of police law with an ever growing expansion into niche areas of police law.’
Clerking
‘Excellent. Mark Waller is excellent. James Cole is a very good junior clerk. All the staff are helpful and communicative.’
‘The clerks are friendly, approachable and always keen to assist.’
‘Always extremely helpful and quick to respond.’
Work highlights
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
Considered a ‘standout set for police misconduct work’, the work undertaken by barristers at Serjeants’ Inn Chambers chambers ranges from misconduct proceedings, to inquiries, to judicial reviews. John Beggs KC is ‘very comfortable dealing with the most complex and difficult cases‘ which in 2021 included acting in the public inquiry into the death of Dawn Sturgess, who was killed by a discarded bottle of nerve agent used in a failed attempt by the Russian GRU to murder former double agent Sergei Skripal. ‘Helpful, highly intelligent and wise, yet tenacious’ junior Elliot Gold recently represented Avon and Somerset Police in the Court of Appeal in Eckland v Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset, a case revolving on whether forces can be liable in discrimination law for misconduct panels’ decisions.
Testimonials
Set
‘Sergeants’ Inn are my first point of call in relation to police law matters.’
‘High level of counsel at this chambers. Our preferred chambers for our most difficult work.’
‘The set is the standout for police misconduct work and that is reflected by the breadth of quality in chambers (both silk and junior).’
‘Serjeants Inn is an excellent set.’
Clerking
‘All of the clerks at Serjeants Inn are always helpful and efficient.’
‘The clerks are knowledgeable, responsive and easy to work with.’
‘Very good. Professional, courteous and very helpful.’
Work highlights
Deka Chambers
Deka Chambers, a ‘very capable, go-to set of chambers‘ receives instructions from a wide variety of police forces and often deal with claims brought under the Human Rights Act. Andrew Warnock KC continues to represent the Metropolitan Police in the Grenfell inquiry. Lisa Dobie and Laura Johnson, who are both praised for their all-round ability, are known for defending forces in personal injury claims. From the 9 Gough Chambers side of the merger, Edwin Buckett, can count larger forces and the National Crime Agency, the Border Force and individual officers as clients, while Jennifer Oborne‘s practice includes a range of civil claims, disciplinary matters and inquests including advising the Hertfordshire Constabulary on how to respond to the Insulate Britain protests.
Testimonials
Set
‘This is a very strong set.’
‘A very capable, go-to set of chambers.’
‘Deka Chambers has an extremely impressive and knowledgeable set of barristers at all levels in relation to police law.’
Clerking
‘They are superb, always accessible and available, understanding and quick to respond.’
‘The clerks are very approachable and always respond in good time.’
‘Excellent service from the clerks.’
Work highlights
Three Raymond Buildings
Three Raymond Buildings is considered ‘good at inquests and inquiries with a criminal element‘ and ‘pre-eminent in the defence of police misconduct cases‘. Indeed ‘calm and measured barrister‘ Alisdair Williamson KC recently acted in West Yorkshire Police v PC Scoones and others, successfully representing a police office from the West Yorkshire Police who was accused of not investigating the murder of a child in 2016. The set is ‘good at inquests and inquiries with a criminal element‘, and Guy Ladenburg continued to be instructed in the Manchester Arena bombing inquiry in 2021, Ladenburg’s ‘excellent knowledge of the police conduct regulations‘ leaves him well place to handle police misconduct tribunals and inquests. Clair Dobbin has significant experience in acting for police officers professional discipline litigation.
Testimonials
Set
‘The set is extremely strong in police law work. They really are a specialist set for this type of work.’
‘A strong set of barristers tackling the most complex and novel legal issues.’
‘It is pre-eminent in the defence of police misconduct cases and in appearing for both the government and private clients in public law matters that involve the criminal law. ‘
‘Good at inquests and inquiries with a criminal element.’
Clerking
‘The clerks are extremely helpful and easy to deal with.’
‘The clerks are knowledgeable, responsive and easy to work with.’
‘They are efficient and helpful.’