SILK PROFILE

Maya Sikand KC

UK Bar 2026

Doughty Street Chambers

Ranked in 3 practice areas

Police Law: Mainly Claimant

All Circuits

12 years ranked

Civil Liberties & Human Rights

London (Bar)

9 years ranked

Inquests & Public Inquiries

London (Bar)

5 years ranked

About

Provided by Doughty Street Chambers

Career

Maya has a strong civil liberties and human rights practice, holding public authorities to account through private and public law claims, death in custody inquests, and public inquiries.

Maya is a leader in the field of police law as well as Human Rights Act (HRA), discrimination, and tortious/personal injury claims against a range of public bodies. She has forged a niche practice on behalf of victims of trafficking and modern slavery charged with criminal offences, overturning their convictions as well as securing both HRA and statutory compensation on their behalf. Maya is ranked in the legal directories for her expertise in police law, civil liberties and human rights, and inquests/inquiries. She was shortlisted by Legal 500 for Public Law Silk of the Year in 2023 and Civil Liberties and Human Rights Junior of the Year in 2020.

Maya’s past criminal practise focussed mainly on representing children in the criminal justice system, particularly those with neurodevelopmental conditions, alongside the innovative charity Just for Kids Law, of which she was a founding board member. She began her legal career as a paralegal in a leading firm of criminal solicitors before embarking on crime and human rights pupillages at Two Garden Court and Doughty Street Chambers. Earlier in her career, Maya worked in the NGO sector as an advocate and campaigner for women and girls fleeing domestic violence, sexual abuse, forced marriages, and other exploitation.

Professional Memberships

Police Action Lawyers Group (PALG)

Justice

Liberty

The Administrative Law Bar Association (ALBA)

INQUEST Lawyers' Group (ILG)

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Police Law: Mainly Claimant - All Circuits

Band 2

Individual Editorial

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.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Civil Liberties & Human Rights - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Maya Sikand KC is a strong civil liberties and human rights barrister with a practice covering judicial reviews, civil and statutory damages claims, inquiries and inquests. She has particular expertise in unlawful detention and trafficking issues and routinely brings claims against public authorities and the police.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Inquests & Public Inquiries - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Maya Sikand KC excels in the representation of bereaved families in complex Article 2 inquests, particularly those involving examination of policing or prisons. She has further experience acting in high-profile inquiries, including the Undercover Policing Inquiry.

Learn more about this team View ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Maya is bright and dedicated. She is a sharp advocate.
Police Law: Mainly ClaimantUK Bar
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.
Police Law: Mainly ClaimantUK Bar
I am very impressed by Maya Sikand. Her advice and approach are extremely impressive.
Police Law: Mainly ClaimantUK Bar
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.
Police Law: Mainly ClaimantUK Bar
Maya Sikand is amazing, really good on her feet. She is quite tactical and very good at thinking about the long-term game.
Police Law: Mainly ClaimantUK Bar
Maya Sikand really cares about her cases and this comes across in the quality of her work.
Civil Liberties & Human RightsUK Bar