Police Law: Mainly Defendant | UK Bar

5 Essex Court offers extraordinary depth of expertise in the defence of police forces in the full gamut of civil claims. Its range of insight is highlighted by clients who say "everyone at 5 Essex impresses me, right from Jason Beer down to pupils. I have never had a situation where we have found fault with what they have said. I would implicitly trust what they give me". The barristers handle misfeasance in public office, malicious prosecution, false imprisonment and assault, with one interviewee noting "if I have a significant claims involving a false imprisonment or malicious prosecution, 5 Essex is my first port of call. They are accepted as being the leading set in this area". The barristers are sought out to represent the police at inquests and in other sensitive matters involving the death of members of the public. Other notable work arises from matters including the use and retention of data on offenders, or the conduct of police investigations. Most recently, the set has been involved in the Post Office Inquiry and the public inquiry into the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba.

Mark Waller is the senior clerk.

Serjeants' Inn Chambers possesses a formidable bench of barristers adept at handling a broad range of issues on behalf of police forces throughout England and Wales. Members are entrusted with the defence of extremely high-stakes civil claims, including those concerning misconduct and deaths involving the police, with a client noting that "Serjeants' Inn has a huge number of counsel with strong knowledge of police law. They are always the top of my list when instructing on police law matters." They have also been instructed in numerous inquests examining alleged investigatory failures in murder or manslaughter cases. They have continued to act in the Undercover Policing Inquiry and are involved in the ongoing public inquiry into the poisoning of Dawn Sturgess.

Paul Eels is the Director of Clerking.

3 Raymond Buildings stands out for its team of accomplished barristers who offer a dedicated service to police clients. The chambers is perhaps best known in this field for representing police officers in disciplinary matters or parallel criminal proceedings. In addition, the barristers are instructed by police forces in prominent judicial reviews, inquests and public inquiries. One client notes that they are "excellent at bringing in younger barristers, and moulding and developing them. I've never had a bad barrister from there, I know they're always up to the job." Notable recent work includes the accountability review arising from the murder of Chris Kaba by an officer and a matter relating to allegations of racial profiling and unlawful detention of two athletes during a stop and search.

Eddie Holland is the senior clerk.

Deka Chambers combines the forces of two former sets with a strong reputation for representing police forces across the country. Acting for the Metropolitan Police, the National Crime Agency and other leading organisations, the barristers are renowned for their work defending civil claims against the police. Their team is praised as being "diligent, professional and approachable to all. This set cannot be faulted with the expertise on offer, there is always someone available for the very niche question we have!" They have represented forces in a number of high-profile inquiries, including the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, and have been involved in the group action civil claims following the Hillsborough inquests and the Fishmongers' Hall terror attack. Recent work includes their participation in the inquest into the death of Kellie Sutton.

Clark Chessis is the senior clerk.