‘The best police law chambers in the country for police forces’, 5 Essex Court offers considerable depth and breadth of expertise across the full spectrum of areas, encompassing civil and Human Rights Act claims, judicial reviews, inquests, public inquiries, and misconduct and discipline matters. Jason Beer KC represented the Metropolitan Police Service in R (W80) v IOPC, with the Supreme Court judgment deciding that the civil law test of self-defence, rather than criminal, applied in police misconduct proceedings. ‘Highly intelligent and always provides clear and detailed advice’, Anne Studd KC is acting for a police force in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, with numerous civil cases arising from undercover officers forming relationships with members of groups they were tasked to infiltrate. Francesca Whitelaw KC represented the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in an appeal before the First-Tier Tribunal, which was brought by a journalist seeking information about alleged police payments to informants relating to Black Lives Matter and environmental protests.
Police law (forces and constables) in
London Bar
5 Essex Chambers
Les références
‘The clerks are generally excellent. I work very regularly with Dan Waple in particular. He always goes above any beyond whenever I call counsel.’
‘Mark Waller is an excellent clerk and has support from some very good junior staff who are all good communicators.’
‘In general all clerks are approachable, helpful and have a good response time. Mark Waller in particular is very helpful, fully understands his counsels skill set to recommend suitable counsel and always responds quickly.
Principaux dossiers
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
‘At the top of the tree for police law’, Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘has an excellent reputation in representing police forces, whether it be civil claims, inquests, employment law or regulatory matters’. Acting for all police forces around the country, the set is also regularly trusted to represent the NCA, IOPC, and Police and Crime Commissioners. In Watson v PSNI, John Beggs KC represented the respondent as the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland ruled that police officers in that jurisdiction could not face disciplinary proceedings in relation to pre-attestation misconduct. ‘A true leader in police law’, Gerard Boyle KC is representing the NPCC in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, as well as acting for West Midlands Police in the inquest into the death of Sean Fitzgerald during a police raid. Acting on behalf of the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police, Dijen Basu KC prosecuted a police constable before a police misconduct hearing panel regarding an allegation she used excessive force on former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson, who died after being shot with a Taser by the force.
Les références
‘The clerks are a pleasure to deal with and very responsible. Lee in particular goes out of his way to assist and offer an excellent service, making recommendations as appropriate and fitting in matters where possible. ‘
‘The clerks are generally prompt, efficient and courteous – providing exactly what is needed.’
‘Excellent clerking, in particular senior clerk Lee ,who is very approachable and straightforward.’
Principaux dossiers
Deka Chambers
Deka Chambers offers ‘an impressive line up of counsel’, with members regularly sought after to handle complex civil disputes, police misconduct, operational matters, judicial reviews and public inquiries. After successfully representing the police in the Court of Appeal, Andrew Warnock KC appeared before the Supreme Court in Tindall v Thames Valley Police, with the judgment set to clarify whether police services will be held to have assumed a duty of care in tort when attending an accident scene. ‘Extremely knowledgeable on the complexities of police and public authority law’, Paul Stagg KC successfully represented the appellant in The Chief Constable of Essex v Carter; with the judgment clarifying that a custody sergeant exercising their searching powers pursuant to section 54 of PACE only requires a subjective, not reasonable belief, that it is necessary.
Les références
‘Clark Chessis is very efficient and prompt.’
‘Excellent service from the Clerks who will go the extra mile for you when needed.’
‘Lauren is one of the junior clerks but an absolute super star in what she does.’
Principaux dossiers
Three Raymond Buildings
Three Raymond Buildings has ‘incredible strength in the area of police law’, with members well versed in a broad range of matters from major inquests and public inquiries, to advising and representing forces and chief constables on significant policing failures. Hugh Davies OBE KC was instructed to intervene on behalf of the Police Federation of England and Wales in Watson v PSNI, with the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland ruling that PSNI officers cannot be disciplined over alleged misbehaviour prior to joining the force. Alisdair Williamson KC represented a police officer in the high-profile gross misconduct hearing arising from the stopping of athletes Bianca Williams and Ricardo dos Santos in their car.
Les références
‘Eddie Holland is a joy to work with and he can always point you in the right direction when it comes to needing a recommendation of someone to instruct.’
‘It is the preeminent chambers for police misconduct defence work, with strength and depth at every level. They defend in all the important and newsworthy cases.’
‘Three Raymond buildings is extremely strong in the field of police disciplinary/misconduct work and this runs through the whole set from the silks to the junior tenants.’
Principaux dossiers
5 Essex Chambers
Les références
‘The clerks are generally excellent. I work very regularly with Dan Waple in particular. He always goes above any beyond whenever I call counsel.’
‘Mark Waller is an excellent clerk and has support from some very good junior staff who are all good communicators.’
‘In general all clerks are approachable, helpful and have a good response time. Mark Waller in particular is very helpful, fully understands his counsels skill set to recommend suitable counsel and always responds quickly.
Principaux dossiers
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
‘At the top of the tree for police law’, Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘has an excellent reputation in representing police forces, whether it be civil claims, inquests, employment law or regulatory matters’. Acting for all police forces around the country, the set is also regularly trusted to represent the NCA, IOPC, and Police and Crime Commissioners. In Watson v PSNI, John Beggs KC represented the respondent as the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland ruled that police officers in that jurisdiction could not face disciplinary proceedings in relation to pre-attestation misconduct. ‘A true leader in police law’, Gerard Boyle KC is representing the NPCC in the Undercover Policing Inquiry, as well as acting for West Midlands Police in the inquest into the death of Sean Fitzgerald during a police raid. Acting on behalf of the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police, Dijen Basu KC prosecuted a police constable before a police misconduct hearing panel regarding an allegation she used excessive force on former Aston Villa footballer Dalian Atkinson, who died after being shot with a Taser by the force.
Les références
‘The clerks are a pleasure to deal with and very responsible. Lee in particular goes out of his way to assist and offer an excellent service, making recommendations as appropriate and fitting in matters where possible. ‘
‘The clerks are generally prompt, efficient and courteous – providing exactly what is needed.’
‘Excellent clerking, in particular senior clerk Lee ,who is very approachable and straightforward.’
Principaux dossiers
Deka Chambers
Deka Chambers offers ‘an impressive line up of counsel’, with members regularly sought after to handle complex civil disputes, police misconduct, operational matters, judicial reviews and public inquiries. After successfully representing the police in the Court of Appeal, Andrew Warnock KC appeared before the Supreme Court in Tindall v Thames Valley Police, with the judgment set to clarify whether police services will be held to have assumed a duty of care in tort when attending an accident scene. ‘Extremely knowledgeable on the complexities of police and public authority law’, Paul Stagg KC successfully represented the appellant in The Chief Constable of Essex v Carter; with the judgment clarifying that a custody sergeant exercising their searching powers pursuant to section 54 of PACE only requires a subjective, not reasonable belief, that it is necessary.
Les références
‘Clark Chessis is very efficient and prompt.’
‘Excellent service from the Clerks who will go the extra mile for you when needed.’
‘Lauren is one of the junior clerks but an absolute super star in what she does.’
Principaux dossiers
Three Raymond Buildings
Three Raymond Buildings has ‘incredible strength in the area of police law’, with members well versed in a broad range of matters from major inquests and public inquiries, to advising and representing forces and chief constables on significant policing failures. Hugh Davies OBE KC was instructed to intervene on behalf of the Police Federation of England and Wales in Watson v PSNI, with the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland ruling that PSNI officers cannot be disciplined over alleged misbehaviour prior to joining the force. Alisdair Williamson KC represented a police officer in the high-profile gross misconduct hearing arising from the stopping of athletes Bianca Williams and Ricardo dos Santos in their car.
Les références
‘Eddie Holland is a joy to work with and he can always point you in the right direction when it comes to needing a recommendation of someone to instruct.’
‘It is the preeminent chambers for police misconduct defence work, with strength and depth at every level. They defend in all the important and newsworthy cases.’
‘Three Raymond buildings is extremely strong in the field of police disciplinary/misconduct work and this runs through the whole set from the silks to the junior tenants.’