5 Essex Chambers is ‘a leading set in the field, with an unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise’. The set has an outstanding reputation for representing police forces across the full spectrum of areas, including major public inquiries, inquests, civil and Human Rights Acts claims, misconduct and discipline matters, and sensitive issues of police policy. Jason Beer KC is acting for The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police in The Andrew Malkinson Inquiry, concerning a high-profile wrongful conviction, while Anne Studd KC represented the Chief Constable of Hampshire Police in disciplinary proceedings against a former Chief Superintendent. Fiona Barton KC is acting for defendant force in Martyn v The Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall, civil claims arising following the 2021 Plymouth shootings. Francesca Whitelaw KC successfully represented the Met in defending an appeal under the Freedom of Information Act regarding a journalist’s attempt to obtain details of a police disciplinary involving misuse of WhatsApp.
Police law (forces and constables) in
London Bar
5 Essex Chambers
Les références
‘The clerks are always incredibly helpful and go out of their way to help resolve issues. Mark Waller and James Cole are extremely good’
‘Of all the chambers practicing defendant police law, the service provided by the clerks is without question the best. They are head and shoulders above other sets. The clerks have a real understanding of this area of law and what is required from their members. They make time to get to know those who instruct them and to understand personalities and which counsel would be best suited to the particular solicitor and the case they are working on.’
‘Mark Waller runs a tight ship, he knows and understands all the police forces and their requirements inside out. He is an exceptional clerk, extremely approachable, very knowledgeable about this area of law and understands his instructing solicitors and their needs. He encapsulates what a senior clerk should be.’
Principaux dossiers
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
A leading set in the market, Serjeants’ Inn Chambers has some of ‘the best practitioners of police law in England and Wales’. The set provides expertise in public inquests and inquiries, civil actions, and judicial reviews, as well as vetting, probation, whistleblowing and discrimination cases. Dijen Basu KC represented the Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis in a judicial review challenge against the decision of a Police Appeals Tribunal to allow an appeal against dismissal for an officer who was found to have derelecited her duties in investigating a case of domestic violence against a woman who was subsequently murdered by her husband. Gerard Boyle KC is advising the Metropolitan Police Service on potential disciplinary proceedings against the police officer who was acquitted of murder after shooting Chris Kaba. In Northern Ireland, Ian Skelt KC is instructed to represent the former Chief Constable of the RUC at the Omagh Bomb Inquiry.
Les références
‘The clerks are particularly helpful and are in contact at all relevant junctures’
‘Serjeants’ Inn Chambers have massive strength in depth. There is nothing they don’t know about police law.’
‘Serjeants’ Inn Chambers are well known for their police law work, particularly the professional conduct side.’
Principaux dossiers
Deka Chambers
Deka Chambers possess a ‘strong police law team at all levels of call, providing representation and advice across all different areas of police law, from civil claims, inquests, data protection, judicial review and police misconduct’. Andrew Warnock KC successfully represented the force in Tindall v Chief Constable of Thames Valley, concerning the duties of police owed to the public in negligence. Paul Stagg KC acts the Met in defending a claim brought by the leader of an anti-monarchy campaign group, who was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to lock-on during the coronation of Charles III.
Les références
‘Lauren Carter is an excellent clerk – fully ontop of her work ‘
‘Lauren Carter is a superb clerk and a rising star in her field ‘
‘Clark Chessis is one of the best clerks in the business. He is a true gentleman and always makes the effort to meet with instructing solicitors and develop strong working relationships. He always goes the extra mile and is an absolute delight to work with.’
Principaux dossiers
Three Raymond Buildings
Three Raymond Buildings are a ‘set with a great range of talent across many areas’, with members’ busy workload extending to misconduct proceedings, major public inquests and inquiries, and representing police officers and forces in significant policing failures. Hugh Davies OBE KC represented five police officers who – in a rare directed hearing – were cleared of all allegations relating to discrimination relating to the high-profile arrest of Olympic sprinter Bianca Williams. Patrick Gibbs KC represented the CO19 officer who was acquitted of murder, having shot dead Chris Kaba – later named as a suspect in an attempted murder with a firearm – who was trying to drive through a roadblock. Matthew Butt KC acted for the Metropolitan Police Service in a complex gross misconduct hearing against a Commander who himself had previously chaired misconduct hearings in the force.
Les références
‘Eddie oversees an incredibly hardworking group of clerks.’
‘Eddie is a great clerk and is always available to assist instructing solicitors. The clerks room has now become even stronger with the welcome addition of Emma who is an extremely capable and experienced clerk who always provides an impeccable service.’
‘Senior clerk Eddie is fantastic, he is always available to resolve any issues. ‘
Principaux dossiers
5 Essex Chambers
Les références
‘The clerks are always incredibly helpful and go out of their way to help resolve issues. Mark Waller and James Cole are extremely good’
‘Of all the chambers practicing defendant police law, the service provided by the clerks is without question the best. They are head and shoulders above other sets. The clerks have a real understanding of this area of law and what is required from their members. They make time to get to know those who instruct them and to understand personalities and which counsel would be best suited to the particular solicitor and the case they are working on.’
‘Mark Waller runs a tight ship, he knows and understands all the police forces and their requirements inside out. He is an exceptional clerk, extremely approachable, very knowledgeable about this area of law and understands his instructing solicitors and their needs. He encapsulates what a senior clerk should be.’
Principaux dossiers
Serjeants' Inn Chambers
A leading set in the market, Serjeants’ Inn Chambers has some of ‘the best practitioners of police law in England and Wales’. The set provides expertise in public inquests and inquiries, civil actions, and judicial reviews, as well as vetting, probation, whistleblowing and discrimination cases. Dijen Basu KC represented the Commissioner of the Police of the Metropolis in a judicial review challenge against the decision of a Police Appeals Tribunal to allow an appeal against dismissal for an officer who was found to have derelecited her duties in investigating a case of domestic violence against a woman who was subsequently murdered by her husband. Gerard Boyle KC is advising the Metropolitan Police Service on potential disciplinary proceedings against the police officer who was acquitted of murder after shooting Chris Kaba. In Northern Ireland, Ian Skelt KC is instructed to represent the former Chief Constable of the RUC at the Omagh Bomb Inquiry.
Les références
‘The clerks are particularly helpful and are in contact at all relevant junctures’
‘Serjeants’ Inn Chambers have massive strength in depth. There is nothing they don’t know about police law.’
‘Serjeants’ Inn Chambers are well known for their police law work, particularly the professional conduct side.’
Principaux dossiers
Deka Chambers
Deka Chambers possess a ‘strong police law team at all levels of call, providing representation and advice across all different areas of police law, from civil claims, inquests, data protection, judicial review and police misconduct’. Andrew Warnock KC successfully represented the force in Tindall v Chief Constable of Thames Valley, concerning the duties of police owed to the public in negligence. Paul Stagg KC acts the Met in defending a claim brought by the leader of an anti-monarchy campaign group, who was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to lock-on during the coronation of Charles III.
Les références
‘Lauren Carter is an excellent clerk – fully ontop of her work ‘
‘Lauren Carter is a superb clerk and a rising star in her field ‘
‘Clark Chessis is one of the best clerks in the business. He is a true gentleman and always makes the effort to meet with instructing solicitors and develop strong working relationships. He always goes the extra mile and is an absolute delight to work with.’
Principaux dossiers
Three Raymond Buildings
Three Raymond Buildings are a ‘set with a great range of talent across many areas’, with members’ busy workload extending to misconduct proceedings, major public inquests and inquiries, and representing police officers and forces in significant policing failures. Hugh Davies OBE KC represented five police officers who – in a rare directed hearing – were cleared of all allegations relating to discrimination relating to the high-profile arrest of Olympic sprinter Bianca Williams. Patrick Gibbs KC represented the CO19 officer who was acquitted of murder, having shot dead Chris Kaba – later named as a suspect in an attempted murder with a firearm – who was trying to drive through a roadblock. Matthew Butt KC acted for the Metropolitan Police Service in a complex gross misconduct hearing against a Commander who himself had previously chaired misconduct hearings in the force.
Les références
‘Eddie oversees an incredibly hardworking group of clerks.’
‘Eddie is a great clerk and is always available to assist instructing solicitors. The clerks room has now become even stronger with the welcome addition of Emma who is an extremely capable and experienced clerk who always provides an impeccable service.’
‘Senior clerk Eddie is fantastic, he is always available to resolve any issues. ‘