Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Police Law: Mainly Claimant - All Circuits

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Doughty Street Chambers offers a "range of expert barristers who have excellent experience" in cases against the police. They are esteemed for their work in high-profile civil claims relating to arrests and assault, negligence, discriminatory policing and the failure to investigate. Members have notable experience in sensitive claims arising from deaths in custody or during operations, and frequently appear for families in associated inquests. The set routinely handles the most significant cases in the field, including the civil claim for misfeasance concerning the police cover-up of the Hillsborough disaster. Barristers from the set have also attracted major instructions for non-police participants in public inquiries, including the Undercover Policing Inquiry. An interviewee notes that "Doughty Street contains noted experts in their respective fields. Barristers from the set provide a consistently high quality professional service. It is the go-to set in many fields."

Sian Wilkins is the senior civil clerk.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Adam Straw
1
Band 1

Adam Straw KC is a leading police action and public law barrister, well known for his work in relation to police shootings. He also handles claims concerning the national legislation for disclosure and miscarriages of justice. He is particularly notable for his strength in public inquiries.

Adam Straw is very good. He's very successful because he's persuasive and measured, an attractive advocate.

Adam Straw is the leading silk for police shootings, he is incredibly knowledgeable. He is forensic and very talented.

Adam is an extremely strong advocate with an eye for detail. I would recommend him for complex matters in particular.

Adam Straw is a real leader in the field. He is able to skilfully handle the most complex of cases.

1
Alison Seaman
1
Band 1

Alison Gerry is a skilled barrister who is highly reputed for her work in failure to protect, assault and false imprisonment claims, in addition to police-focused inquests. She attracts acclaim for her work in the long-running legal fallout of the Hillsborough disaster.

Alison Gerry is very calm, clever and responsive. She is pretty unflappable, she knows what she's doing. She is good on the law and the evidence.

I am really impressed by Alison Gerry. She is good with clients; I've recommended her.

Alison is knowledgeable, down to earth and excellent with clients.

Alison is an exceptional advocate, deeply committed to her clients, adept at strategy and has first-class knowledge of the law in this area.

Alison Gerry is incredibly good; she is passionate and very good with clients. She never takes a step back in her advocacy, you want her in your corner.

1
Fiona Murphy
1
Band 1

Fiona Murphy KC is known for leading national conversations on policing policy. She is regularly sought out to represent the families of those killed as a result of interaction with the police, including at inquests and public inquiries, and provides outstanding counsel in matters arising from areas such as IOPC procedure.

Fiona has a real practical grasp on the important guiding principals and is always on top on developments in the law. She has specialised in police law all her career, so she is uniquely experienced.

Fiona Murphy is very strong in her field.

Fiona is exceptional. She has encyclopedic knowledge of police law. Her experience of working as a solicitor means that she is particularly empathetic towards clients.

Fiona Murphy is good on claims and very bright. I like working with her.

Fiona Murphy is really good, especially on tricky procedural matters. Her experience as a solicitor gives her an edge, especially in negotiations.

Jude Bunting
1
Jude Bunting
1
Band 1

Jude Bunting KC is a superbly talented barrister acclaimed for his all-encompassing police law practice that includes civil claims, inquests and public inquiries, as well as judicial review. He has particular strength in data retention and protest-related matters and frequently handles cases concerning deaths occurring during police contact.

Jude Bunting is an absolute pleasure to work with, he has eclectic knowledge of everything and is outstandingly bright. He is incredibly responsive and gets on fabulously well with all our clients.

Jude Bunting is one of the best. I like how he cuts across issues, that's great. He is good at leading. He is the silk I'd pick.

Jude Bunting is just outstanding for advising on police matters. He has great attention to detail and is great with clients, he makes them feel at ease. He is particularly strategic on civil claims.

Jude is the silk to go to for any complex or politically motivated public law challenge against the police. He is incredibly responsive for someone who must be inundated with work in this area.

Jude Bunting is a complete legend. He is really good with clients, always a pleasure to work with and highly intelligent. He is a brilliant all-rounder.

1
Nick Stanage
1
Band 1

Nick Stanage acts in a range of actions against the police, including cases concerning malicious prosecution, misfeasance and unlawful arrest. His experience encompasses claims alleging human rights breaches, and he has appeared in major public inquiries involving the police.

Nick Stanage's technical expertise is second to none. His advocacy is compelling and he's media-savvy.

Nick is very eloquent and a good cross-examiner. He's measured and free from hyperbole, so gets better results. He is good on the law, but doesn't wave it around, instead deploying it tactically.

Nick Stanage is an exceptional barrister.

Nick Stanage is a first-rate advocate. He is brilliant with clients, really accessible and easy to work with.

1
Ruth Brander
1
Band 1

Ruth Brander is a formidable barrister renowned for her work in claims against the police, as well as inquests and public inquiries. She is noted for her prominent involvement in the Undercover Policing Inquiry and for acting in related judicial review. She boasts considerable expertise in Article 3 breaches concerning the police's failure to investigate, and a range of other claims including false imprisonment and assault.

1
Sam Jacobs
1
Band 1

Sam Jacobs successfully represents victims of police wrongdoing in a variety of claims, including those for false imprisonment, and has acted in cases which closely examine the legal grounds for police liability in negligence.

Sam Jacobs is absolutely fantastic with clients and is good at thinking tactically.

Sam is great, he has a very good knowledge of the law. He is very good at taking a tactical view on cases. He gives simple and pragmatic solutions to very complex issues; I enjoy working with him.

Sam Jacobs is my go-to. He is low-key, sensible, super professional and always gets things right. He is really solid and gives sound advice. He is also good on his feet. I enjoy instructing him.

Sam Jacobs is excellent; a safe pair of hands.

Sam Jacobs is an excellent advocate for vulnerable clients. I could not recommend him more highly.

1
Stephen Cragg
1
Band 1

Stephen Cragg KC is highly regarded for his work in civil claims challenging police actions and decisions, particularly in relation to data retention and privacy. He also advises on inquests and claims relating to deaths in custody and injuries.

Stephen Cragg gets to the point, which is great. He's strategic.

Stephen Cragg has many years of experience.

1
Tom Stoate
1
Band 1

Tom Stoate is a barrister highlighted for his expertise in representing bereaved families at inquests and in claims against the police. His focuses include death following police pursuit, as well as discrimination and false imprisonment. Additionally, he handles a number of cases relating to alleged breaches of the Human Rights Act and the Equality Act.

Tom provides consistently high-quality legal advice. He is an excellent and highly effective advocate. He has excellent client care skills and is empathetic and approachable.

Tom's advice is very astute. He is particularly knowledgeable with cases involving the Human Rights Act.

Tom is an extremely skilled and knowledgeable inquest advocate.

Tom Stoate's written advice is very thorough and considered. He can take a tactical view of a case and have a pragmatic approach, which is best for the clients.

Tom Stoate is the full package in terms of clients and as a jury advocate, so he is a great advocate.

Angela Patrick
2
Angela Patrick
2
Band 2

Angela Patrick has acted in claims against the police regarding human rights breaches, assault and battery, and unlawful detention. Her practice also focuses on judicial reviews, inquiries and inquests.

Angela Patrick is super bright and incredibly hard-working. She has a really good nature and is a very good advocate. She is just brilliant.

Angela Patrick has a very good court manner. She is very pleasant and promotes her clients' interests.

Angela Patrick has exceptional rapport with clients, she puts them at ease and is approachable.

Angela Patrick is a fierce advocate with a strong desire to right wrongs. She puts clients at the heart of everything she does.

Angela Patrick is a great person, really kind and generous. She is a great talent and a great human being.

2
Caoilfhionn Gallagher
2
Band 2

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC is esteemed for her pioneering human rights work for children and women within the scope of police law. She is also notable for her work in the Hillsborough group litigation.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher is so naturally talented.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher is a superb written advocate; her written submissions are a model of clarity, she is really outstanding.

Caoilfhionn is brilliant. She is inspiring to work with, bringing energy and strategic vision. She is also great with clients.

Caoilfhionn Gallagher is a force of nature.

2
Jamie Burton
2
Band 2

Jamie Burton KC is well regarded for handling claims against the police concerning discrimination, assault and the failure to investigate and protect. He is also experienced in protest-related cases.

Jamie Burton is very good, measured and cautious. He has really helped us hone our arguments.

Jamie Burton is a fierce advocate but also practical and realistic. He is an expert on the human rights act, on which he did excellent training for us.

Maya Sikand
2
Maya Sikand
2
Band 2

Maya Sikand KC is highly regarded for claims against the police in relation to police shootings and false imprisonment. She is highlighted for her prominent instruction in the Undercover Policing Inquiry and has further knowledge in claims involving malicious prosecution, misfeasance, assault and ECHR breaches.

Maya is bright and dedicated. She is a sharp advocate.

Maya's biggest strength is her advocacy, she is very persuasive and good on her feet. She really cares about clients and cases, and doesn't shy away from getting into the details.

I am very impressed by Maya Sikand. Her advice and approach are extremely impressive.

Maya is a noted and respected expert. She is an excellent and highly effective advocate, who combines excellent, wide-ranging and in-depth expert legal knowledge with a persuasive style.

Maya Sikand is amazing, really good on her feet. She is quite tactical and very good at thinking about the long-term game.

2
Nicholas Bowen
2
Band 2

Nicholas Bowen KC possesses notable expertise spanning tort, negligence, misfeasance and human rights claims against the police and other public authorities. He is particularly active in claims alleging a failure to properly investigate crime.

Nicholas Bowen's great strength is that he takes on cases that everyone thinks are hopeless and makes them sound plausible. He's quite inventive.

Nicholas Bowen is absolutely reliable. You have to be able to engage with a client on a personal level, which he can do, and can stand in front of lords or ladies with equal skill.

2
Nick Brown
2
Band 2

Nick Brown has acted in a number of the most prominent police inquests in recent years, as well as related civil litigation. He has expertise in representing clients in a range of civil claims including assault, misfeasance and false imprisonment.

I would recommend Nick Brown, he is really good on cases that cross over between police and personal injury.

Nick is extremely thorough and excellent with clients. He is excellent, always available or will come back quickly. I can have honest discussions with him.

Nick Brown is one of the most competent barristers you could hope to work with. His level of knowledge and understanding is second to none - he goes way over and above what is ever expected.

Nick Brown is able to cut through all the noise and drill down on the issues. He is not afraid to push.

David Lemer
3
David Lemer
3
Band 3

David Lemer enters the Police Law rankings this year. He has extensive experience in litigating against the police and public authorities, as well as handling with cases concerning national security.

David Lemer is excellent.

David Lemer is really able.

David Lemer is super intelligent, very academic, focused and comes up with ideas.

David Lemer is very bright, I have a lot of respect for him. He is quite cerebral.

3
Frederick Powell
3
Band 3

Frederick Powell is adept to handle inquests and civil claims against the police. His experience encompasses death in police custody, discrimination and failure to protect claims.

Frederick Powell is very thorough and a thoughtful advocate. He is good at working collaboratively.

Frederick Powell is my go-to barrister for more complex valuations of quantum. He is extremely thorough in his analysis, he always puts the time in and it is pleasure to work with him.

Frederick Powell is very hard-working and collaborative. He is very good in a team, he involves everyone. He is very thorough in his approach and good at spotting the difficult points.

I have instructed Freddie on a number of CAPA matters. He is an excellent advocate and provides very high-quality expert advice. He is easy to communicate with and puts clients at their ease.

Frederick Powell is a very reliable and strong junior counsel. I would recommend him for AAP and inquest work.

Ranked Barristers at
Doughty Street Chambers

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Silks (KC)

All Circuits

Police Law: Mainly Claimant

1
Adam Straw KC
1
Band 1
1
Fiona Murphy KC
1
Band 1
Jude Bunting KC
1
Jude Bunting KC
1
Band 1
1
Stephen Cragg KC
1
Band 1
2
Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC
2
Band 2
2
Jamie Burton KC
2
Band 2
Maya Sikand KC
2
Maya Sikand KC
2
Band 2
2
Nicholas Bowen KC
2
Band 2

Juniors

All Circuits

Police Law: Mainly Claimant

1
Alison Seaman
1
Band 1
1
Nick Stanage
1
Band 1
1
Ruth Brander
1
Band 1
1
Sam Jacobs
1
Band 1
1
Tom Stoate
1
Band 1
Angela Patrick
2
Angela Patrick
2
Band 2
2
Nick Brown
2
Band 2
David Lemer
3
David Lemer
3
Band 3
3
Frederick Powell
3
Band 3