Gemma Vine

Practice Areas

Inquests, Civil Liberties and Human Rights, Police Law: Mainly Claimant

Career

Gemma qualified in 2010 at Farleys Solicitors before joining Lester Morrill in 2013. She joined Ison Harrison Solicitors in 2020. Gemma is a nationally recognised specialist in representing bereaved families at Inquests, along with representing and advising people through the police complaint process and bringing a variety of claims against the police.

Gemma has particular expertise in representing families at inquests involving deaths in custody and has also represented families in a number of high-profile inquests. These inquests include the family of Bobby and Christi Shepherd who died from carbon monoxide in Corfu whilst on a Thomas Cook holiday, the family of murdered schoolgirl Elsie Frost, the death of veteran Alan Forcer and the partner of Shane Gilmer who was killed by his neighbour with a crossbow.

Gemma finds it very rewarding to have played a part in highlighting cases where there have been system failures to prevent future deaths. Given the public interest in which these cases attract, she is experienced in devising strategies for her clients in handling media attention.

Over the years Gemma has been recognised for her dedication to representing bereaved families in in the 2010 Law Society Excellence Awards (highly commenced -Junior Lawyer), 2015 at the British Legal Awards (Associate Solicitor of the Year) and in 2016 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards (shortlisted-Public law). Her work on the Alan Forcer Inquest which resulted in the Forcer Protocol being created and rolled out across many police forces in the UK was commented on when Ison Harrison won the PI and Clinical Negligence Team of the Year at the Yorkshire Legal Awards in 2024.

Professional Memberships

INQUEST lawyers Steering Group (ILSG)

INQUEST Lawyers Group (ILG)

Police Action Lawyers Group (PALG

Publications

Gemma has written articles for INQUEST Law, and Legal Action Magazine and her cases are reported in the national and local media.

Work Highlights

Gemma has acted in a number of high-profile inquests, including the inquest into the deaths of Bobby and Christi Shepherd, who tragically died from carbon monoxide poisoning while on a Thomas Cook holiday in Corfu. The inquest led to a significant Prevention of Future Deaths report, calling for action across the UK and EU as well as the wider travel and tourism sector. The report highlighted the urgent need for hotels and holiday accommodation to install and maintain effective carbon monoxide alarms to protect guests from avoidable harm.

Gemma represented the family of Elsie Frost, a schoolgirl murdered in 1965, in their successful application to the High Court for a fresh inquest. This allowed the findings of the police investigation conducted fifty years after her death to be examined publicly following the death of the principal suspect. The High Court’s decision resulted in the original inquisition being quashed, clearing the name of an innocent man who had previously been identified as responsible for her death.

Gemma also acted in the inquest into the death of veteran Alan Forcer, a case that led to the development of the Forcer Protocol, a dedicated Missing Persons Protocol for veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces. Since its introduction, twenty six of the forty-three police forces in England and Wales have adopted the protocol, with further forces expected to sign up in 2026. Early assessments suggest that several hundred lives have already been saved since Greater Manchester Police first piloted the protocol in November 2023.

Gemma represented the partner of Shane Gilmer, who was killed by a neighbour using a crossbow. Following the inquest in 2021 she has been closely involved in the ongoing campaign to restrict the sale and accessibility of crossbows. The campaign work and the evidence gathered have now been submitted to the Home Office, which is currently reviewing the material and considering how to further tighten controls on these highly dangerous weapons.

Expert in these Jurisdictions

England and Wales

Languages Spoken

English

Experience

Gemma is a nationally recognised specialist in inquests, civil liberties and police law. Since qualifying in 2010 she has built a career dedicated to supporting bereaved families and individuals seeking accountability and meaningful answers. After starting at Farleys Solicitors she developed her expertise at Lester Morrill before joining Ison Harrison in 2020.

She has extensive experience in inquests involving deaths in custody, deaths following police contact and cases raising wider public interest concerns. Gemma also advises on police complaints and civil actions against police forces and is skilled in managing the significant media attention that often accompanies high profile matters.

Her notable cases include acting for the family of Bobby and Christi Shepherd following their carbon monoxide deaths in Corfu, securing a fresh inquest for the family of schoolgirl Elsie Frost and contributing to the development of the Forcer Protocol after the inquest into the death of veteran Alan Forcer. She is also involved in the ongoing campaign following the death of Shane Gilmer.

Gemma’s dedication has been recognised through several awards, including Highly Commended Junior Lawyer at the 2010 Law Society Excellence Awards, Associate Solicitor of the Year at the 2015 British Legal Awards and a shortlist for Public Law at the 2016 Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards.

Education