John-Paul Waite

Practice Areas

John-Paul practices in the areas of police and public law, employment law, inquests, personal injury and regulatory law.

John-Paul was reappointed to the Attorney General’s A Panel of Counsel in March 2019, the panel from which Government departments instruct counsel in civil law matters. Acted for the Government in the recent decision of the Court of Appeal in Hussain v SSHD [2022] EWCA Civ 145, a case deciding what test should be applied by Tribunals when deciding whether to determine an appeal on the papers.

Recent Inquest work includes acting for Suffolk County Council in the Inquest into the death of Jo Pooley, acting for Greater Manchester Police in the Inquest into the death of Orianna Crilly-Cifrova. Also instructed to act for the Ministry of Justice in the forthcoming inquest into the death of Baby A at HMP Bronzefield.

Recent police civil work includes successfully acting for Devon and Cornwall in a four-week civil jury trial in September 2021.

Recent employment work includes acting as junior counsel in Essop v Home Office and multiple other employment law cases in recent years.

Acted in three public inquiries, including the Billy Wright Inquiry, Robert Hamill Inquiry and Rosemary Nelson Inquiry.

Has defended the government in over 30 major public law claims. Also has widespread experience of regulatory law, including regularly appearing in police misconduct cases.

Author of the Employment Tribunals Handbook.

Please visit the 5 Essex Chambers website for his profile, which sets out full details of his practice and work.