Department profile
Bhatt Murphy

Police Law: Mainly Claimant

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide


Bhatt Murphy

Rankings

About

Provided by Bhatt Murphy

We specialise in representing those who have suffered ill-treatment or abuse of power at the hands of the police and other detaining authorities.

Our aim is to achieve accountability and redress for our clients and to provide high quality advice upon all available legal remedies. We are recognised by policy-makers, opponents but most importantly by our clients, as the leading firm in this field.

The cases we work on address all aspects of mistreatment and unlawful acts against those in custody and encompass false imprisonment and arrest cases, representing victims of unlawful police stop and search, failures to investigate hate crimes and crimes of sexual violence, the policing of protests and demonstrations, inquests and inquiries into custodial deaths, the illegal use and retention of data and the inappropriate use of reprimands and warnings.

Bhatt Murphy’s lawyers appreciate that effective remedies are not achieved through legal intervention alone. We are committed to working with our partners in non-governmental organisations and campaigning groups to try and achieve progress outside of the court room. We also support our clients in their own campaigns by providing advice on how best to achieve public awareness through social media and national and international news agencies.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Police Law: Mainly Claimant - UK-wide

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
Bhatt Murphy has an exceptional police actions practice with an unrivalled reputation in all aspects of claimant police law. The firm regularly pursues ground-breaking claims relating to discrimination, human trafficking, deaths following police contact and claims arising from failures to investigate. It demonstrates considerable strength in public inquiries, misconduct proceedings and criminal cases. The team is active in privacy cases, including the police's unlawful retention of data, as well as cases relating to the use of Tasers.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Bhatt Murphy represented the family of a man who went into cardiac arrest following a prolonged period of excessive force and face-down restraint on a hospital floor.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Bhatt Murphy have huge experience in dealing with claims against the police, and wide understanding of protest law and civil rights.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK
  • Bhatt Murphy are reliable, knowledgeable and measured in their communication and advice.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK
  • Bhatt Murphy continue to be outstanding in their fields.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleRaju Bhatt
    Senior StatespeopleRaju Bhatt

    Raju Bhatt

    Raju Bhatt is a founding partner of Bhatt Murphy. He is a highly acclaimed practitioner with a significant police law practice. He has long-standing experience representing claimants in claims against the police, including recent work relating to the use of Tasers by the Met Police.

  • Band 1Carolynn Gallwey
    Band 1Carolynn Gallwey

    Carolynn Gallwey

    Carolynn Gallwey has notable expertise in matters relating to restraint-related deaths in custody. She also has experience handling claims surrounding malicious prosecutions, false imprisonment and breaches of the Human Rights Act.
  • Band 1Michael Oswald
    Band 1Michael Oswald

    Michael Oswald

    Michael Oswald has substantial experience representing clients in police misconduct proceedings. He is well known for his knowledge of police complaint procedures and IOPC investigations.
    • Michael is really superb and an outstanding professional. He is really bright, his written skills are superb and he brings all of the necessary skill set to these difficult areas.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK
    • Michael offered great explanations and reassurance about possible outcomes throughout the process.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK
  • Band 1Shamik Dutta
    Band 1Shamik Dutta

    Shamik Dutta

    Shamik Dutta has notable expertise in advising clients on civil claims against the police. He has notable experience bringing claims for breach of privacy, as well as those involving allegations of racial discrimination and false imprisonment.
  • Band 2Sophie Naftalin
    Band 2Sophie Naftalin

    Sophie Naftalin

    Sophie Naftalin has particular expertise in representing the victims of hate crime, domestic violence and human trafficking in actions against the police.
    • Sophie has been doing some great work in this area.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK
    • Sophie Naftalin is very committed.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK
  • Band 3Charlotte Haworth Hird
    Band 3Charlotte Haworth Hird

    Charlotte Haworth Hird

    Charlotte Haworth Hird acts for families of individuals who have died at the hands of the state. She is frequently involved in criminal prosecutions and civil claims on behalf of vulnerable clients.
  • Associates to watchEva Roszykiewicz
    Associates to watchEva Roszykiewicz

    Eva Roszykiewicz

    Eva Roszykiewicz is an associate at Bhatt Murphy with a growing practice in bringing ECHR claims against the police. She has particular expertise in matters with an overlap of racial discrimination and false imprisonment claims.

  • Associates to watchMolly Cox
    Associates to watchMolly Cox

    Molly Cox

    Molly Cox has a rising presence in the police law arena. She is noted for her work in representing core participants in the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

    • With her going above and beyond in seeking justice, Molly has earned my full trust.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK
    • I was impressed with Molly.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK
    • Molly has been an excellent solicitor.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Bhatt Murphy (8)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by Bhatt Murphy

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