Department profile
Deka Chambers

Police Law: Mainly Defendant

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits


Deka Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Police Law: Mainly Defendant - All Circuits

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For

Deka Chambers combines the forces of two former sets with a strong reputation for representing police forces across the country. Acting for the Metropolitan Police, the National Crime Agency and other leading organisations, the barristers are renowned for their work defending civil claims against the police. Their team is praised as being "diligent, professional and approachable to all. This set cannot be faulted with the expertise on offer, there is always someone available for the very niche question we have!" They have represented forces in a number of high-profile inquiries, including the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and have been involved in the group action civil claims following the Hillsborough inquests and the Fishmongers' Hall terror attack. Recent work includes their participation in the inquest into the death of Kellie Sutton.

Clark Chessis is the senior clerk.

Client Service

Deka are doing some training with us, which is great. They provide some good value-add, which we are really grateful for.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Deka is good to work with, they have very helpful clerks.

    Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
  • Deka has expert knowledge, does good advocacy, provides excellent written advice and fast responses. Their clerks are helpful.

    Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
  • Clark at Deka has over 50 years’ experience and is the OG of clerks! He is a thoroughly lovely man and he knows his barristers and his business inside-out. He is exceptionally responsive.

    Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
  • I would highlight the user friendliness of counsel at all levels at Deka, and their clerking is second to none.

    Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Andrew Warnock
    Band 1Andrew Warnock

    Andrew Warnock

    Andrew Warnock KC has represented the police in their most serious legal challenges, including those before the Supreme Court. He has acted in relation to claims brought by officers as well as the general public, typically involving fatalities, human rights breaches or other grave matters.

    • Andrew Warnock is a duty of care specialist.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew Warnock is phenomenally well-versed in negligence liability and Human Rights Act. He is smooth and understated, which judges really appreciate. He provides realistic advice to clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew is the go-to guy for police negligence claims. He is very courteous. He is very efficient, not a last-minute guy.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew is an extremely well-respected, senior and has been instrumental in some of the most important developments in police law. He is hard-working, talented and is trusted implicitly by his clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Andrew Warnock's cross-examination of lay and expert witnesses is the best I have ever seen.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Edwin Buckett
    Band 2Edwin Buckett

    Edwin Buckett

    Edwin Buckett represents the police in claims concerning negligence, misfeasance in public office, as well as inquests presenting considerable scrutiny of police operations.

    • I would really recommend Edwin Buckett, especially for inquest work. He is very tactical, always my go-to for inquests advice.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Edwin Buckett is hugely experienced, he used to write the book on police law. He has seen it all before.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Lisa Dobie
    Band 2Lisa Dobie

    Lisa Dobie

    Lisa Dobie is a respected barrister who defends the police against civil claims in relation to misfeasance and false imprisonment, as well as human rights claims centring on the police's failure to investigate and controversial claims in negligence.

    • Lisa has been very helpful and knowledgeable with police law matters, providing a first-class service.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Lisa is great on paper, very knowledgeable on human rights. My go-to barrister for cases of that nature. She is very approachable and eloquent: one to watch.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Lisa Dobie is great, a safe pair of hands. She is very experienced.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Clients absolutely love Lisa Dobie.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Ian Clarke
    Band 3Ian Clarke

    Ian Clarke

    Ian Clarke is a robust barrister acting on behalf of police forces in a variety of claims, including those relating to data disclosure by police. He also handles matters arising from large public inquests.

    • Ian Clarke is hugely knowledgeable on police law. He is always a pleasure to work with and handles cases of the highest complexity. He gets great results for our public sector clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Ian Clarke is very attentive, sensible and a pleasure to work with.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Ian Clarke is excellent. He is very responsive and user-friendly. He gives straightforward and sensible advice.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Ian Clarke is an excellent advocate with a good eye for detail.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Jennie Oborne
    Band 3Jennie Oborne

    Jennie Oborne

    Jennie Oborne is regarded by her clients as a talented and dedicated barrister with strength across a range of matters, including judicial reviews and inquests. She has represented numerous police forces in such cases.

    • Jennie Oborne is a leading light in policing law.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Jennie is a skilled technical lawyer and she has the ability to get to the bottom of a complex legal issue. Her written work is absolutely top-rate, very detailed and comprehensive and persuasive.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Jennie Oborne is very quick to advise on liability in a way that suited our client, allowing me to jump the internal hurdles quickly.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Jennie Oborne's advocacy is good and she's very thorough. She prepares cases very well, always has things ready to go; she's a good junior. She is also very personable.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Jennie Oborne is very knowledgeable in police law, she is always willing to assist with short notice complex cases and has the ability to stay calm. Her advocacy skills are second to none.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Kerry Nicholson
    Band 3Kerry Nicholson

    Kerry Nicholson

    Kerry Nicholson is a robust barrister acting on behalf of police forces in a variety of misconduct and misfeasance cases. She has additional experience handling inquests.

    • Kerry Nicholson is excellent. A pleasure to work with and extremely efficient. She is an excellent advocate, I thoroughly recommend her.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • I have got a lot of time for Kerry Nicholson, she is building up an interesting practice. She is definitely one to watch.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Kerry Nicholson takes no prisoners, very competent and good on her feet. No nonsense. She is very responsive. She's going places, I'll keep instructing her.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Kerry has excellent police law experience. Her advice is thorough and well thought-through. Her advocacy skills are exceptional and she has the ability to stay calm in tense situations.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • I would instruct Kerry Nicholson again without hesitation. She is very knowledgeable, careful and concise in her advice. She is calm in court, a very good advocate.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Laura Johnson
    Band 3Laura Johnson

    Laura Johnson

    Laura Johnson KC is a police law specialist barrister who defends in claims of unlawful arrest and harassment, as well as failure to investigate claims brought under the Human Rights Act.

    • Laura Johnson is a class act and very strong.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Paul Stagg
    Band 3Paul Stagg

    Paul Stagg

    Paul Stagg KC specialises in the defence of human rights claims concerning the police's failure to investigate, and cases involving injury during police contact. His practice also covers unlawful arrest and misfeasance claims, as well as judicial reviews.

    • Paul Stagg is simply excellent. If Paul is on the case, I don't have any worries.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Paul Stagg is very, very good and thorough.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Paul Stagg has seen it all. He is very experienced, you feel really comfortable knowing you've got him. His paperwork is excellent, he has very good attention to detail.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • I have worked with Paul over many years - his knowledge and expertise are impeccable.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Paul Stagg is great with clients, very approachable and knowledgeable. He is an exceptional police lawyer. He is great on paper, an excellent advocate and can explain things to lay clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
  • Up and ComingThomas Yarrow
    Up and ComingThomas Yarrow

    Thomas Yarrow

    Thomas Yarrow enters this rankings this year. He has experience of acting for different police forces involving misconduct, misfeasance and negligence.

    • Thomas Yarrow is smart, insightful and effective.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • Thomas Yarrow's advice is very concise and robust. He is clear and flags the issues when litigating. He gives very helpful advice.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar
    • I have been impressed by Thomas Yarrow's sensible and pragmatic advice and drafting. He is approachable and excellent with clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Defendant respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Deka Chambers (9)

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