Department profile
Garden Court Chambers

Police Law: Mainly Claimant

UK Bar Guide 2026 : All Circuits


Garden Court Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

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Police Law: Mainly Claimant - All Circuits

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Garden Court Chambers is a renowned civil liberties-focused set which focused on civil claims and inquests centred on police shootings and deaths in custody, noted for their "commitment to representing bereaved families". The set is praised as a "go-to chambers because of their ethos and the quality of the barristers'" counsel in actions against the police, including those concerning malicious prosecution, false imprisonment, misfeasance and assault, as well as investigative or operational failures. The set's members are known to "have always had a human rights reputation in terms of generating passionate advocates who uphold the rights of individuals" and have acted in highly significant matters including the Undercover Police Inquiry and, most recently, the investigation into the death of Rebecca Ikumelo during the Brixton Academy crowd crush.

Colin Cook is the director of clerking.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Garden Court are great, I use them a lot. They are willing to take risks. The clerks are really good too, especially Paul. They are responsive and good at managing lots of moving parts.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Garden Court's clerks are excellent; they are on top of things and responsive. They are my first choice of chambers.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Garden Court is my preferred chambers. I rate them highly. I have had no problems with the clerking, they are easy to work with and that's why they are my preferred set.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Garden Court's clerking teams are really responsive, they are our go-to chambers.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Garden Court's clerks are excellent, they are on top of things and responsive, as is the billing team.

    Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Leslie Thomas
    Band 1Leslie Thomas

    Leslie Thomas

    Leslie Thomas KC is a formidable trial advocate who is renowned for acting in high-profile claims against the police and for representing families at inquests. He is picked out for his considerable expertise in cases concerning deaths in custody or following police shootings, and his broad practice also includes claims pertaining to the police's failure to investigate.

    • Leslie Thomas is a tenacious and fearless advocate who clients are lucky to have on their side.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Leslie is amazing with clients and that counts for so much; he can have a laugh and that boosts the confidence of the clients. The clients don't feel looked down on.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Leslie Thomas has been in the game for a long time, he is just amazing. He is an effective cross-examiner, you want him on your side when you are up against the police.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Leslie is a great cross-examiner, he goes in hard. Juries love him.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Leslie is the best in the game, on the claimant side. He is tactically very astute. He is also very jury-friendly; he deals with difficult judges very well and his cross-examination is second to none.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Sarah Hemingway
    Band 1Sarah Hemingway

    Sarah Hemingway

    Sarah Hemingway is an experienced claimant-side barrister who acts in civil claims against the police concerning false imprisonment, assault and malicious prosecution. She is active in claims centring on breaches of data protection and human rights.

    • Sarah is so responsive, I really really enjoy working with her, she is excellent. She is bright and really good with clients, especially vulnerable clients. I would always use her.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Sarah Hemingway is very thorough and excellent on papers.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Sarah Hemingway is a very safe pair of hands. She is someone I have a lot of time for.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Stephen Simblet
    Band 1Stephen Simblet

    Stephen Simblet

    Regularly instructed in high-profile claims, Stephen Simblet KC often acts for the victims of malicious prosecution. He is active in representing victims of sexual assault. He is also well regarded for his work at inquests and is known as a barrister who enjoys addressing complex points of law.

    • Stephen is a very good advocate. He is very assertive, imaginative and a very nice man.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Stephen's command of case law makes him a superb advocate. His advocacy is robust and impressive and his written work detailed and precise. It is very reassuring to have him on board in any matter.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Stephen Simblet has a phenomenal knowledge of the law; he is an encyclopedia of legal knowledge. He remains very calm whatever is going on. He is good with clients and a very good advocate.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Stephen Simblet is my go-to for claims against the police. He is excellent on his paperwork. His advocacy is second to none and he is very easy easy to work with, he is very collaborative.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Stephen is an excellent practitioner with a keen eye for detail.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Una Morris
    Band 1Una Morris

    Una Morris

    Una Morris is a well-respected barrister in police claims concerning death in custody, shootings and assault. She garners praise for her representation of clients in discrimination and harassment claims, in addition to malicious prosecution and misfeasance matters.

    • Una Morris is very able, she is doing work all over the place and doing work beyond her call.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Una is amazing. Her analytical skills are fantastic and she is very calm and measured, both on her feet and with clients. She is the first port of call for me when considering a senior junior.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Una Morris is super approachable and very popular. I enjoy working with her, she is a good all-rounder.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • I use Una a lot, she is brilliant, really hands-on and proactive, which can be unusual with barristers. Clients love her. She provides very good, pragmatic advice.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Una is very bright. She has a forensic approach, which is helpful.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Michael Etienne
    Band 2Michael Etienne

    Michael Etienne

    Michael Etienne is a well-regarded junior barrister who receives instructions in actions against the police, including claims of false imprisonment and discrimination. He is also adept at handling claims against the police involving failures to investigate.

    • Michael Etienne is a rising star. He is building a very solid practice, he will be formidable. He is a good advocate and very calm.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Michael Etienne does a lot of good work, especially to do with racial discrimination.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Michael Etienne does work beyond his call and he is a strong advocate.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Michael Etienne is very strong and has strong values.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Patrick Roche
    Band 2Patrick Roche

    Patrick Roche

    Patrick Roche is widely known for his prominent role throughout the legal fallout of the Hillsborough disaster, including at the fresh inquests and in the misfeasance claims.

    • Patrick Roche is really good, he is so experienced.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Patrick Roche is a great trial advocate.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Patrick Roche is always good because he does crime as well as civil, so he's got a slightly different approach. He is very good and does a lot of inquests.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 2Rajeev Thacker
    Band 2Rajeev Thacker

    Rajeev Thacker

    Rajeev Thacker is acclaimed for his expertise in claims brought by vulnerable individuals against the police. In addition to tort actions, he focuses on human rights-grounded claims arising from the police's failure to protect.

    • Rajeev is a genuine specialist in litigation around duties of the police in relation to dealing with domestic homicides. He is very au fait with all police proceedings concerning domestic violence.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Rajeev Thacker is very smart and he is very good with clients. He is able to get down to the issues. He is very collaborative and flexible.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Rajeev Thacker is great; he is somebody who is regularly instructed by our team.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Emma Favata
    Band 3Emma Favata

    Emma Favata

    Emma Favata enters the rankings this year following evidence of sophisticated work and market support. She has a wealth of experience assisting with civil claims against the police and public authorities. She has many years of trial experience and is adept at handling complex and novel cases.

    • Emma Favata is always thoroughly prepared and thinks through the issues. She is very good with the clients, especially vulnerable clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Emma Favata is so experienced and very knowledgeable.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Emma Favata is a very brave advocate, she pushes her clients' arguments forcefully. But she is also a pleasant advocate to be opposite, so she couples those things well. She is sensible.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Emma Favata is a solid advocate and is excellent with clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Emma is a strong barrister, who is very brave in advancing arguments on behalf of her clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Jodie Blackstock
    Band 3Jodie Blackstock

    Jodie Blackstock

    Jodie Blackstock is a well-recognised advocate with experience handling a range of civil actions against the police. She routinely handles false imprisonment and assault cases, particularly on behalf of vulnerable claimants.

    • Jodie is excellent all-round. She is 100% committed to the brief, and to achieving results for her clients.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Jodie has helped me with police matters and inquests. She's a very able junior.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Jodie Blackstock is very good and her paperwork is excellent. She is someone I'd highly recommend.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • I really like working with Jodie, she is a thorough and thoughtful advocate. She is also detail-oriented and provides creative advice.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar
    • Jodie Blackstock does a lot of work in lots of areas of police law; she covers a wide range. She's developing a name for herself.

      Police Law: Mainly Claimant respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Garden Court Chambers (9)

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