LAWYER PROFILE
Orla Scanlan

Orla Scanlan

UK 2026

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Ranked in 1 practice area

About

Provided by Weightmans

UK

Career

Orla is a Partner in our Police team based in our London office and is a nationally recognised specialist lawyer in this sector with over 25 years’ experience. Prior to joining Weightmans, Orla was head of BLM's National Police Team and the Misfeasance Practice Group lead, representing Police forces and their insurers nationally.

The established record gives Orla an in-depth knowledge of the requirements, pressures and concerns surrounding Police Forces and their insurers and identifies her as a go-to practitioner in complex, high value claims, many with national media interest.

Orla has been a Band 1 Lawyer in Chambers & Partners’ Directory in “Police law – mainly defendant” for over 10 years.

Example instructions:

• Represented a police force further to a terrorist attack outside Fishmonger’s Hall, London Bridge in 2019;

• Represented a layer insurer in the Hillsborough Disaster Group action involving over 600 claimants;

• Represented police forces in Terrorism Act claims – she has the requisite security vetting to accept instructions involving issues of National Security; and

• Represented a Chief Constable Police in a multi-million pounds catastrophic injury claim further to an altercation between Police officers and a Bedford University student.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Police Law: Mainly Defendant - UK-wide

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial
Orla Scanlan is esteemed for her vast experience defending complex police-related matters, such as death in custody, false imprisonment and misfeasance in public office, on behalf of forces across the country.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Orla has a huge depth of knowledge.

    Police Law: Mainly DefendantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
  • She has brilliant customer care and focus, and a strong understanding of the needs of the client.

    Police Law: Mainly DefendantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
  • Orla Scanlan is very bright and tenacious.

    Police Law: Mainly DefendantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession
  • She is a leader in this field. What she doesn't know about police law isn't worth knowing. She is someone who is pragmatic and comprehensive when it comes to claims and the management of claims.

    Police Law: Mainly DefendantChambers Guide to the Legal Profession

Ranked Individuals at Weightmans (104)

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