SILK PROFILE
Fiona Barton KC

Fiona Barton KC

UK Bar 2026

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Ranked in 3 practice areas

About

Provided by 5 Essex Chambers

Practice Areas

Fiona is recognised as a leading silk specialising in all aspects of public law and police law (including inquests and inquiries and professional discipline). She has been instructed in the most high-profile police law cases of recent years, regularly appearing in the most complex, sensitive, ground-breaking and high value cases. She has extensive experience in public law claims of significant public importance, including at Supreme Court level.

She was appointed King’s Counsel in 2011.

High-profile instructions include:

Inquests and Inquiries - the Forbury Gardens Inquests, the Plymouth Shootings Inquests, the Guildford Pub Bombings Inquests, Manchester Arena Inquiry, the London Bridge Inquest, the Fishmongers’ Hall Inquests.

Professional Discipline – proceedings against chief officers eg. ACC Beale and ACC Sutcliffe and proceedings against officers arising from deaths in custody including Kingsley Burrell and Leon Briggs.

Public Law - the judicial review concerning automatic facial recognition R (Bridges) v The Chief Constable of South Wales & others, Madeleine McCann, Nunn and L.

Fiona was called to the Bar in 1986 and became a member of 5 Essex Chambers following completion of her pupillage. She took Silk in 2011. She has over 30 years experience in her chosen areas of practice.

Fiona contributed to the leading text book on police civil actions “Civil Actions against the Police” and regularly contributes to chambers’ publications.

Please visit the 5 Essex Chambers website for Fiona’s profile, which sets out full details of her practice including relevant work of note.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Police Law: Mainly Defendant - All Circuits

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Fiona Barton KC is a highly regarded police defence barrister with a focus on complex civil claims of all kinds, including those stemming from the collapse of criminal trials due to non-disclosure, those alleging the failure to investigate crime and those arising from shootings. She is particularly adept in inquests and public inquiries work.

Inquests & Public Inquiries - London (Bar)

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Fiona Barton KC brings her significant expertise in police law to her representation of forces and officers in sensitive inquests and public inquiries. She also represents other state agents and is especially well versed in matters involving the criminal justice system.

Professional Discipline - London (Bar)

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial

Fiona Barton KC is a renowned silk who possesses a wealth of experience in police discipline matters. She is particularly capable in defending allegations of gross misconduct. She is also called upon to handle significant inquests and judicial reviews.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • I get excellent advice from Fiona on complex work.

    Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
  • Fiona Barton is really good with claimants and families in sensitive cases.

    Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
  • Fiona handles high-profile cases well. She is superb and very experienced. For someone of her standing, she's so down to earth. She's calm and that's good with officers, especially in sensitive cases.

    Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
  • Fiona is an exceptional barrister and advocate. She has the sharpest mind combined with being personable and approachable. She is a definite go-to for the most complex work.

    Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
  • Fiona Barton is very good, I use her all the time. She is very responsive and reliable. She is my go-to person for work-related matters involving the most senior officers.

    Police Law: Mainly DefendantUK Bar
  • Fiona is sensible and strong in tricky inquests.

    Inquests & Public InquiriesUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at 5 Essex Chambers (72)

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